What is square dancing? Are square dancing and contra dancing the same?

Square dance and Contra dance belong to a broad spectrum of social folk dances that can trace their roots to dances introduced by early European settlers in North America, such as English country dances and French quadrilles and cotillions. Both rely on a common set of relatively simple dance moves, or figures, for example, “allemande”, “do-si-do”, “promenade”, “swing”, etc. There are, however, some important differences. Probably the most defining difference between Square and Contra is that in a square dance, sets usually consist of four couples in a square formation, whereas in Contra, couples line up in long opposing lines. Round dances, dances in a circular formation, have also been longtime staples of American folk dances. Square dancing is historically associated with the South and Midwest, and Contra with New England, where it originated, although both forms are now practiced nationwide and beyond. These dances are traditionally performed to live music from a string band, which might consist of fiddle(s), banjo, guitar, etc. in Appalachia or the Upper South. Such dances continues to entertain and enrich communities far and wide and represent a well-established tradition worth preserving and promoting.