Lisa Bruno is the face behind the burgeoning folk-group Brooklyn Contra. She’s spent six years contra-ing her way through North Carolina and now is bringing the hootenanny to Brooklyn. For those of you who don’t know, contra is a type of dance…think square dancing but done in long ballroom-esque lines. Contra has recently been gaining quite some momentum with the younger crowds, evident by this segment on All Things Considered on NPR.
Below is a little q&a with Lisa touching on the beginnings of Brooklyn Contra, what to expect at one’s first contra outing, and the deets on the inaugural event. She’s got herself a shiny new logo, some Kickstarter monies to back her first event, and a fancypants band. Should be a knee-slappin’ good time! I might even break out my cowgirl boots!
{above} Lisa Bruno of Brooklyn Contra
What is contra dancing all about??
Contra dancing is a type of folk dancing. It is typically danced to live, high-energy, old-timey music with banjos and fiddles, although there have been lots of other types of music played from traditional to techno. It is danced with a partner, although bringing a partner is not necessary. Couples form lines facing other couples. The dance is a sequence of moves, instructions given on stage by a caller, that weave the couple up and down the line in circles and swings, meeting new couples throughout.
How did you personally get involved with contra dancing??
I first found out about contra dancing six years ago when I participated in a work-study program at the John C. Campbell Folk School, a music, dance and craft school for adults located in Brasstown, NC. The school hosts an array of dances and instructional classes…one twirl around the dance floor and I never looked back! 
{above} A typical contra dance at the John C. Campbell Folk School
Is it necessary to have previous knowledge about dancing, ie is contra applicable to the two-left-feet sorts?
If you can walk, you can contra. Before I had contra danced I’d never taken any kind of dance class or did any dancing (in public) other than shaking my booty down at the club after a few drinks. All the dances are taught to you in realtime. At the start of each dance the caller does a walkthrough in which all the moves are gone over slowly before the music even begins. The caller has a view of the whole hall…they’ll make sure everyone gets it.
Is contra similar to square-dancing? Do gals need to don a petticoat?
There are similarities to contra dancing and square dancing. There are similar figures. Yes, there are do-si-dos in contra dancing. The main difference is that in square dancing you only interact with the four other couples in your square, while in contra you interact with all the couples in your line (a number which is not finite). Often in square dancing the sequence of moves change throughout the dance, where in contra the sequence will always stay the same for that particular dance.
There is no particular clothing to be worn at a contra, although long flowing skirts and dresses are popular…better to swirl with!
{above} Lisa and partner dancing
When/where is the inaugural Brooklyn Contra dance?! And why is Brooklyn the perfect location to get contra started in?
The inaugural event is Friday, December 3rd at the Brooklyn Lyceum.The dance begins at 7:30pm, with the first half-hour devoted to beginners. Tickets are $14, and $12 for students.
There currently isn’t any organized contra in Brooklyn and there should be! There should be contra dancing everywhere! Brooklyn has an inherent community, and contra dancing in Brooklyn will foster this community. Plus, I think our venue is the perfect place for a dance. Most of the contra dances I’ve been to in the area have been tucked away in basements, school auditoriums, and gymnasiums…away from the public. Not so at the Brooklyn Lyceum! I envision people coming in off the street to check out Brooklyn Contra as it happens, enthralled by the music, foot stomping, clapping and laughter.
{above} Brooklyn Contra’s freshly minted logo, designed by Fame+Frippery
I hear you’re raising funds through Kickstarter! Can you tell us a little more about your venture and what the funds will be used towards?
Yes! The goal is $1700. More than half is for the down payment for the Brooklyn Lyceum for two nights of dancing and to help keep our future as a dance series a reality. (The second night is already in the works.) The rest is for payment to the band and caller with a little leftover for promotions, cost of t-shirts, equipment, etc.
[Editors Note: As of this evening Lisa and Brooklyn Contra have surpassed their Kickstarter goal with 5 days to spare! Amazing! Click HERE to donate monies, even $1 helps keep this wheel-a-spinnin’!!]
Click HERE for more information on Brooklyn Contra and how to get involved in the upcoming event at the Brooklyn Lyceum.
// Photo Credits: all photos swiped from Lisa’s Facebook page. My apologies if proper credit is not given to the respective photographers.
