As Nick Zaunbrecher spun around the hardwood floors of Longbranch Caf’eacute; while a rhythmic fiddle played in the background, he was pleased to feel somewhat disoriented.

Zaunbrecher and roughly 20 others Saturday participated in Contra dancing, a form of American folk dancing that mixes traditional French, English and Irish techniques. The event was held as part of the New Harmonies Traveling Exhibit at the University Mall.

Zaunbrecher, a 26-year-old Carbondale resident, said following the rhythm of the dances wasn’t very difficult and he enjoyed the light sense of vertigo he received from the swings was also enjoyable.

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“Feeling of dizziness and disorientation when you spin around only added to the fun,” Zaunbrecher said.

Representatives from the Southern Illinois Friends of Traditional Music and Dance gave lessons to the attendees. Barbara Sibert, organizer for the event, said Contra originated in the early 1800s.

Contra is different from other dances because the dancers line up in two lines and face their partner. The partners then get together in groups of four, Sibert said.

The smooth, rocking steps are somewhat similar to square dancing, she said.

“Some people are moving down the set, and some people are moving up, so it is a beautiful symmetry of up and down,” Sibert said. “You are dancing with different couples and that is what makes it different.”

Connie Hall, of St. Louis, said Saturday was her first experience with the dance. She said she enjoyed the interaction with other dancers, but had trouble trying to figure out her footing.

“They could call it out, but it didn’t mean I would remember what you were supposed to do when they called it out. Having someone to help you through made it a lot easier,” she said.

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Bonnie Cotter, of Murphysboro, said two couples work together when it comes to the dance moves, but the couples often move in different directions with the music.

One couple is the active couple, which generally has to do more moves than the inactive couple. The active couple usually moves away from the music, Cotter said.

Cotter said she has been Contra dancing since the early 1980s and said with experienced dancers the dancing can be quite different.

“When you are dancing with really good dancers then it is like flying. When you do the swing and get all the moves right, it’s magical,” she said.

When learning how to Contra dance, Cotter said it is very important to not be self-conscious. Also, many of the people in the dance group will help newcomers, so there is no need to worry about making mistakes. Lastly, when it comes to the swings, dancers need to look each other in the eye to avoid getting dizzy, she said.

“It’s almost like you are in slow motion and everything else is moving around you and you are just focusing on the other person,” she said. “It is very romantic.”

Daily Egyptian writer Eugene Clark can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 263 or [email protected].