The Square Dance and Contra Dance Handbook: Calls, Dance Movements, Music, Glossary, Bibliography, Discography, and Directories - Softcover

Gunzenhauser, Margot

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0786449101 ISBN 13: 9780786449101

Publisher: McFarland, 2010

Synopsis

This comprehensive guide to traditional style square and contra dancing, sometimes referred to as "country dancing," covers both music and style and gives background information on various dance types and calling techniques. Ninety dances, presented in chapters according to type (mixers, progressive circles, contra, Southern mountain style, squares and others), in a wide variety of formations are described with drawings and diagrams for many of the movements. A glossary of terms, a directory of addresses (organizations; vendors of books, recordings and audio equipment; and dance camps), and an annotated discography and bibliography are also provided.

About this title

About the Author:

American folklorist Margot Gunzenhauser lives in Virum, Denmark.

From Booklist:

Take a gander at the subtitle of this oversize handbook. It is accurate but neither complete nor descriptive enough, for the coverage of calls and movements includes separate sections on square and contra basics (e.g., how to call, what kinds of music to use), simple mixer dances, circle and other easy dances, specifically contra dances, various mountain-style square figures, and square dances proper. Further, unmentioned in the subtitle are a "Materials for Musicians" section, which recommends various instruments and instruction and tune books; a bibliography that, like the discography, is classified and well annotated; and the glossary, which, like the dance instructions, is illustrated. Libraries catering to folk dancers (as opposed to modern Western or club square dancers) should consider reference as well as circulating copies of this excellent resource. Ray Olson

About this edition

• Publisher: McFarland
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0786449101
• ISBN 13: 9780786449101
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320