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It LOOKS like they're having fun,
(but what the heck are they doing?)

 

The short answer:

In contra dances, the dancers prepare by forming into sets. A set consists of two lines of dancers, usually (but not always) with your partner across from you in the other line. The end of the set closest to the musicians is the top, and the far end is the bottom. Starting from the top, the set is then divided into groups of four dancers (two couples). The couple facing away from the music in each group of four is the #1 couple. The couple in that group facing the music is the #2 couple.

When the music starts, these two couples will do the figures, or moves, belonging to this particular dance. At the finish of the figures, #1 couples proceed down (away from the music) and #2 couples proceed up (toward the music). Then they start the figures again with the next opposite-numbered couple.

Whichever way you're progressing, when you and your partner reach the end of the set, there isn't any next couple. So you simply face back the way you came, while everyone else does all the figures. Soon a new couple will arrive for you to dance with, but they'll be coming the same way you did, and you'll now be going the opposite way. This means you now have the opposite number, which you will keep as you dance with one couple after another back toward the other end of the lines.
Wanna see some diagrams?

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