Inclusive Calling in Contra

January 14, 2023

For many years, our contra community has used the terms “lady” and “gent” to identify dancers in different roles. While same dancers exclusively choose one role or the other, experienced dancers will often switch from tune to tune. This allows us the opportunity to practice different moves, dance with more partners, or help to balance a set. Some particularly playful couples will even switch roles mid-dance!

Because our dance roles are uncoupled from the dancer’s gender identity or expression, some of our callers are experimenting with gender-free labels to use in both walkthroughs and patter. Some popular alternatives are “lefts and rights” (positional calling) and “larks and robins” (the birds). This makes it clear, to dancers new and experienced, that they are welcome to dance any role.

Our approach to dancing is unchanged. Everyone is welcome.