Brief Timeline of Contra Dance History

This timeline puts contra dance history in context alongside events in American history. It also highlights the object case of the dance "Delphiniums and Daisies," an iconic, popular, contemporary contra dance emblematic of the living folk tradition contra dance is today.

1651-09-01 00:00:00

Publication of The English Country Dancing Master

English country dancing gets its first book.

1765-09-01 00:00:00

American Revolution

The American Colonies break with Great Britain.

1770-09-01 00:00:00

The Origins of Contra Dance

Country dance by way of England and France.

1812-06-01 00:00:00

War of 1812

American dance traditions start to break with their British past.

1840-09-01 00:00:00

The Rise of Ballroom Dancing

Waltz and polka in, contra dancing out.

1880-09-01 00:00:00

Innovations in Contra Dancing

Called dances and the swing figure emerge.

1910-09-01 00:00:00

Country Dancing "Rediscovered"

Folklorists and Henry Ford.

1914-07-01 00:00:00

World War I

All things patriotic.

1915-09-01 00:00:00

Country Dance and Song Society Founded

The tradition of American folk music and dance gets a home.

1929-09-01 00:00:00

The Great Depression

Global economic crisis hits home.

1939-09-01 00:00:00

World War II

America becomes a modern superpower.

1950-09-01 00:00:00

The Creation of Club Squares

Simultaneous traditions in American folk dance develop.

1960-09-01 00:00:00

Another Folk Revival

"Hippies" make contra dance cool again.

1985-09-01 00:00:00

"Delphiniums and Daisies" Written

Tanya Rotenberg pens her iconic dance.

2007-09-01 00:00:00

Performance of Delphiniums and Daisies in Beaufort, North Carolina

Music by Charley Horse.

2010-09-01 00:00:00

Performance of Delphiniums and Daisies in Tamworth, New Hampshire

Calling by Dave Harvey, music by Bruce Cobb, Mike Orsillo, Bob Reed, and Nick Howe.

2011-09-01 00:00:00

Performance of Delphiniums and Daisies in St. Louis, Missouri

Calling by Bob Green, music by Reel Women & the Jigelo.

2011-09-01 00:00:00

Performance of Delphiniums and Daisies in Christchurch, New Zealand

Music by Liquefaction.

2012-09-01 00:00:00

Performance of Delphiniums and Daisies in Atlanta, Georgia

Calling by Charlotte Crittenden, music by Boom Chuck.

2014-12-19 00:00:00

Performance of Delphiniums and Daisies in Glen Echo, Maryland

Calling by April Blum, music by Honeysuckle Rose.

2015-09-01 00:00:00

Performance of Delphiniums and Daisies in Farmington, Michigan

Calling by Maeve Deviln, music by Sharon Robinson​, Brad Battey​, Jr., and Judi Morningstar.

2017-09-01 00:00:00

Performance of Delphiniums and Daisies in Denver, Colorado

Calling by Ed Hall, music by Audrey Knuth, Rachel Bell, and Julie Vallimont.

Brief Timeline of Contra Dance History

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