REXBURG — Residents of Eastern Idaho are invited to dance the night away at Pocatello’s Second Saturday Contra Dance.
Luann Claussen, one of the organizers of the monthly event, says contra dance is a mix of dance styles from centuries past.
“Contra dance is a form of folk dance that basically is fun,” Claussen said. “It comes from old English country dance, Scottish country dance from the 17th century. If you think of the dancing you might see in Jane Austen movies, that's where it originally evolved from.”
Originally, the event began in the ‘90s, the first people who started the event were unable to continue. After a while, Claussen got the itch to dance again so, along with a group of fellow contra dance enthusiasts, she restarted the event and continues the tradition to this day.
Even though this type of dance involves a partner, Claussen says you do not have to bring a partner. The goal is to help everyone feel comfortable and have fun.
Claussen says her favorite part of the event is the experience of moving to the music in the different dance sequences.
These sequences are akin to square dancing. Claussen says the difference is that it is done in squares with eight people. Dancers repeat these sequences and movements up and down the dance hall.
Claussen adds that it does not matter if a person has experience because there is a beginner’s tutorial at the beginning of each session. All ages are welcome.
“I would say try it out,” Claussen said. “We have some families that come. We have college students that come, teenagers, and all the way up to people in their 80s.”
The next Pocatello Second Saturday Contra Dance will be this Saturday, Dec. 9, at Assemblé Learning and Event Center at 820 E. Young St. in Pocatello. Admission is $10 a person or $25 for a family. The fun goes from 7 to 10 p.m. with new dancer orientation beginning at 7 p.m.
For more information, send email to Luann Claussen at clausslu@gmail.com or go to “Pocatello Second Saturday Contra Dance” on Facebook.