[FIPS Works Out] Contra Dancing Edition

January is over. Have you already bagged on your New Year's Resolution to work out at least twice a week? Yeah, I thought so. This post is the second in a new series where FIPS writers tell you what they do to stay in shape.

Exercising in the winter is tough, and it’s easy to come up with excuses not to do it. After the holidays I came down with a cold, and I’m only now getting back to the gym. I kept saying to myself, “It’s too cold out! I’m still sick! I’m tired of watching reruns of “Charmed” while running on the elliptical!” So if, like me, you’re looking for a different kind of exercise, one that’s a little more social, then I have a solution for you. It’s called contra dancing, and you can do it right here in Park Slope at Brooklyn Contra. Dorky? Maybe. But hear me out.

If you’re wondering, “What the fuck is contra dancing?”, think back to middle school gym class and square dancing. All the boys were like, “Ick, no,” and the girls were like, “Fine, we’ll just be partners with each other, who needs you?” …Actually, that might have been high school. Either way, contra is like that, except much more fun.

The steps are similar to square dancing, but instead of dancing in a square, dancers grab a partner and form two long lines. At the beginning of each dance, a caller will walk the dancers through the steps, sometimes demonstrating the trickier ones. Once everyone has a handle on the moves, the music starts and the caller continues to announce the steps. Over the course of a dance, dancers move up and down the lines, dancing not only with their partners but also with everyone else.

This is maybe the moment where I should tell you that if you don’t like touching strangers outside of dimly lit clubs, contra will not be fun for you. But if you can handle it in a regulated, platonic way, when the lights are on, then you will probably be fine.

There’s a live band, which is always awesome, and swinging, circling, and do-si-do-ing make a fantastic workout. Unlike in long ago gym classes, you will never have trouble finding a partner. In fact, when you sit out to take a breather because your face has turned bright red, that’s when you’ll have to tell three different people you don’t want to dance this one.

Contra attracts a wide age-range -- no young kids usually, but from high school-age all the way up -- and everyone is very friendly (and not too strange). Beginners are welcome, and strongly advised to show up early for the lesson, which will do a lot to explain all the weird steps used later. If you’re nervous, bring a friend, but know that beginners are advised to dance first with more experienced dancers.

Brooklyn Contra has made its home at Camp Friendship, 339 8^th Street, right here in the Slope. It meets once a month, and the next dance is on Friday, February 28. Beginner’s lesson is at 7:30 p.m., the regular dance is from 8 till 11 p.m., and admission is $15 for adults, $12 for students, kids under 12 free. Wear comfortable shoes – flats or sneakers are a safe bet – and comfortable clothes. Skirts or shorts are always a good idea, even in winter. Check out the Facebook page or website for more information. 

If you get hooked, or want to try contra out sooner, there are dances every weekend in Manhattan through Country Dance New York and Village Contra.

Any other offbeat forms of exercise in the Slope to share?