‘Not about showing off your moves’
Monthly contra dances stress laughing, learning from mistakes
The atmosphere is family friendly and encouraging to newcomers at the monthly contra dances put on by Valparaiso Oldtime Dance, as dancers found out on a recent Saturday night at the Banta Senior Center.
VOD is a nonprofit organization with the mission of building community through traditional music and dance.
“The dances that we do are not about showing off your moves,” said Hilda Demuth-Lutze, house band keyboard player and board secretary. “People laugh a lot and make mistakes on the floor, and they just move on and do it better next time.”
These dances are held monthly and, although they do charge a modest entrance fee, nobody is turned away for lack of funds.
“Last month, we had a group of about 15 Valparaiso University students, and they had a great time,” said Demuth-Lutze. “That kind of energy from college students or teens brings something magical as they are less inhibited.”
“We provide a safe and inclusive environment,” said Demuth-Lutze. “Perhaps for people who associate live music with smoky bars, this is so different because there is no alcohol or smoke. It is the kind of environment that feels very wholesome to people.”
VOD’s roots go back almost 30 years, when Dr. Gerry Ronneau turned a horse barn on his property into a dance hall.
“He started bringing in people from far and wide to play and dance there, and we did for several years,” said Peter Martin, VOD’s president and house band member.
“We are a part of a bigger community that has been dancing in this country since before it was a country, and it is cool to think about those roots, but also we continue to innovate and change over the years,” said Martin.
Valparaiso resident Noel Evans has been attending dances for the last 20 years with her husband, Ken.
“One of the first things we did when we started dating was go to dances in Chicago,” said Evans. “I even danced one year with my baby daughter in a sling.”
Evans keeps coming back because she likes the intergenerational tone of the events, seeing people of all ages attend, dance and have fun.
“This is something you don’t get too much in modern life anymore,” said Evans.
Saturday night’s “caller” was Casey Mullaney, of South Bend, who has been calling and teaching
dances for almost 15 years.
“My father took me to dances when I was a little girl,” said Mullaney. “I started attending again in college and I knew I wanted to make sure that these traditions continue.”
“I love it because people start off as beginners who might be a little nervous and then are solid by the end of the night,” said Mullaney.
At Saturday’s dance, choreography was taught, or called, prior to the music being played. Terms like “do-si-do” and “allemande left” were called over the microphone as dancers lined up and learned the steps prior to the band starting the song.
Some of the dances on Saturday included “Baby Rose” choreographed by David Kaynor, “Heartbeat” by Don Flaherty, and “The Big Easy” by Becky Hill.
Valparaiso Oldtime Dance even has their own house band, the “Hoosier Recruits,” made up of about 12 members from Northwest Indiana, playing instruments such as the hammered dulcimer, string bass and accordion.
“It is an unusual thing to have a house band, and a band that plays for free,” said Martin. “We also sometimes do outside gigs, and donate the money right back to the VOD.”
Bill Kania of Hobart was attending his third contra dance and will continue.
“I love it,” said Kania. “It’s great to meet new people, and have a good time dancing. The live music is unbelievable. You just get up and start moving.”
“There’s no special shoes, you can show up dressed however you like, the caller introduces the dance and teaches it, and when the band is playing, the caller continues to call until dancers get it,” said Martin.
“One of the things I love about contra dancing is that people are encouraged to dance with everyone,” said Martin. “That kind of social interaction is hard to come by anymore.”
For more information about the Valparaiso Oldtime Dance, visit their Facebook page or website chicagobarndance.com/ valpo.