Contra dances are held twice a month — the first Wednesday in Walla Walla and the third Saturday in Milton-Freewater.

MILTON-FREEWATER — Twice a month, 15 to 50 dancers gather in Milton-Freewater or Walla Walla to circle, do-si-do and promenade in contra dancing.

A traditional American folk dance, contra dancing involves two lines of dancers facing each other. A caller yells out the moves, similar to those in square dancing, and the dancers follow along.

The contra dancing tradition in Walla Walla and Milton-Freewater dates back decades, but the dancers were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Walla Walla Friends of Acoustic Music revived the tradition this winter.

Howard Ostby, of Milton-Freewater, said dancers come from as far as Tri-Cities and La Grande.

“We have all ages, from little kids up to 90 year olds. You just need to be able to know your left from your right and be able to count to eight,” he said. “All of the dances are taught — we teach everything every night. There are a dozen common moves that we do most often, so once you know those, it’s a little easier.”

For those who know little — or nothing — about contra dancing, each dance evening begins with a walkthrough where dancers are taught the steps and can practice before the actual dance begins.

Because contra dancing is performed in lines, any number of people can dance, and because the caller announces each move, contra dancing is considered beginner friendly — a dancer can arrive early, learn the steps and fully participate in the rest of the dance.

Ostby recommends those who would like to learn the steps arrive by 7 p.m.

Once the dance begins, live music is played, the dancers line up, and the caller announces which dance step to do in time with the music.

Interested dancers do not need to have a partner to participate and will be paired with someone at the dance. There are rules about what shoes to wear, however, in order to preserve the dance floor — no boots or high spiked heel shoes are allowed. The group also recommends wearing clothes you can dance in.

“It is quite aerobic,” Ostby said. “There’s no square dance uniform, just dress informally, wear comfortable clothes.”

The group typically meets the first Wednesday of the month at Whitman College Reid Center Ballroom in Walla Walla and on the third Saturday of each month at the Timberrib in Milton-Freewater.

The next dance is Wednesday, March 1, 7 p.m. at Whitman-Reid Center Ballroom. The Whitman dances are free and open to all. Detailed dance schedules can be found on the organization’s website, wallawallafriendsofacousticmusic.com, and on Facebook at Contra Dance Walla Walla.

Dance admission to the Milton-Freewater events is $5.

The contra dancing group typically meets the first Wednesday of the month at Whitman College Reid Center Ballroom in Walla Walla and on the third Saturday of each month at the Timberrib in Milton-Freewater.

The next dance is Wednesday, March 1, 7 p.m. at Whitman-Reid Center Ballroom. The Whitman dances are free and open to all.

Detailed dance schedules can be found on the organization’s website, wallawallafriendsofacousticmusic.com, and on Facebook at Contra Dance Walla Walla.

Dance admission to the Milton-Freewater events is $5.