Virginia Reel Longways Contra Dance
A traditional American contra dance performed in two facing lines: partners step forward and back, swing by the hand, do-si-do, and the head couple travels down the set swinging with everyone. Students work on remembering figures, moving on the phrase and connecting with the whole group.
How to play
- Form sets of 5-6 couples in two facing lines about 6 feet apart and identify the head couple, the one closest to the music (2 min).
- Teach the 8-count figures: forward and back, right-hand turn, left-hand turn, two-hand turn and do-si-do (circle your partner back to back) (6 min).
- Teach the sashay: the head couple joins both hands and slides down the middle of the set and back (3 min).
- Teach the reel: the head couple swings each other by the right elbow and each dancer in line by the left elbow, alternating, to the foot of the set (5 min).
- Teach the cast-off: each line follows its head dancer around the outside to the foot, the head couple makes an arch and everyone passes under, creating a new head couple (4 min).
- Dance the full reel to music until every couple has been the head couple once (5 min).
Rules
- Elbow swings are smooth, never yanked, and keep pace with the music.
- Keep lines straight so the middle of the set stays clear.
- If you make a mistake, keep dancing; the set guides you back with a gesture.
Variations
Easier
Skip the reel and keep only the turning figures and the sashay, with the teacher calling every figure.
Standard
Dance the full reel with the cast-off and arch.
Harder
One student in each set acts as the caller and calls the figures without the teacher.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair can be part of the head couple; the reel uses hand turns instead of elbow swings and goes slower.
- Visual impairment: the student dances arm in arm with a guide partner, and each figure is named before it starts.
- Autism: hand out the figure list in order and let the student watch one full round before joining.
Learning goals
- Remember and link the figures of a contra dance.
- Match traveling movements to 8-count musical phrases.
- Connect with every member of the set through dance.
Equipment for a class of 25
- music: 1
- speakers: 1
Teacher tip
Be the caller and call each figure just before it starts; that is the tradition and it helps enormously. Use old-time fiddle music with very clear 8-count phrases.
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