I'm very excited that, for the first time since 2019, I've released a new version of "Contra Card", my LaTeX package for typesetting traditional folk dance calling cards!

This is one of those projects that I doubt anybody but me has ever used, but that's part of why I love it so much. Version 3 includes a complete overhaul of how the various dance move macros work to make the source read more naturally and be more flexible, as well as new macros that let you quickly change role terms on your cards (eg. if you're calling at a dance that uses role terms other than the ones you're used to and you want to print a new copy of your program!). There were lots of other changes, and even a complete overhaul of the documentation (which will become available as the mirrors catch up).

https://ctan.org/pkg/contracard

Here's one of my favorite beginner contra dances typeset with the package:

#Contra #ContraDance #ContraCard

Sound people who know more than me: I'm considering applying for a grant to help a local dance buy a mixer for when they have live bands, probably in the $400-$700 range, though there may be an option to go slightly over if necessary.

Requirements:

- Portability is good (but not a strict requirement)
- We'd like the ability to record digitally and have digital returns (class-compliant or with Linux support since I'm the one who will do this mostly)
- At least one sub-mix for rear fill speakers (or some other way to do this) and/or for large bands
- Can't require a closed source iPad only app or what not (my own personal requirement or I'd just get a Behringer x16 or what not which seems basically perfect)
- Prefer real fades and knobs (this is a hill I personally will die on, but not a hard requirement for this group)
- USB to digitally record stems + the stereo mix

Tascam Model 12 is my current thought. Other suggestions?

#AskFedi #Contra #ContraDance #LindyHop #SwingDance

I found an old copy of "Fourgone Conclusions" from 1983 that's in decent shape (other than B1, which skips badly enough that I couldn't get a decent recording :( )! This is a band that hasn't been around in a long time, and as far as I know it's impossible to get the CD re-release any more or find this online! If you're into contra dance or New England style folk music, check it out. If anyone has a CD or can get a better recording of the LP somehow hit me up and I'd love to chat!

https://archive.org/details/FourgoneConclusions

#Contra #ContraDance #FolkMusic #Massachusetts

If you're a contra or English dancer along the east coast, catch me calling in one of these places this Spring/Summer!

https://chromamine.com/dance/

#ContraDance #EnglishCountryDance #SocialDance

A bit of a stretch, but do I know anyone who's familiar with traditional Irish, English, and/or old-time folk tunes? Trying to find the name of a few tunes that I still can't figure out even though I know I've heard them a million times before at old-time jams and contra dances and what not. I've been scouring @thesession with no luck!

The one labeled "Tune 4" is still eluding me. It's a medley so if you skip to half way through or so it will change and I'm trying to figure out both tunes.

https://archive.org/details/2026-05-12_trolley_barn_contra/10+Tune+4.flac

EDIT: the embedded Internet Archive player sometimes picks the wrong tune. Best to click through.

Update: One medley left, thanks fedi folks! Post edited.

#OldTime #Bluegrass #FolkMusic #Contra #ContraDance #AskFedi

2026-04-28 Trolley Barn Contra Dance with Sam Whited and Snapfinger

https://makertube.net/w/x7F5AM1RcHY7cKwW4XrAY8

Flipping the contradancing script

The young dance

https://richardsholmes.com/doctroid/2026-04-19_flipping-the-contradancing-script/

#contraDance #contraDancing #folkDance #folkDancing

Current I-Ds about seeking quickly in Ogg files and creating Matroska based stem files for DJs not niche enough for you? I threw up another one about tagging recordings of traditional called folk dances. If you're tagging your music library and have a lot of contra or what not that you need to search on or field recordings of fiddle tunes you need to archive or what not, feedback would be appreciated:

https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-swhited-contra-tags/

#Contra #ContraDance #SquareDance #ECD #EnglishCountryDance #InternetDraft #IETF