In Rueda contrario every second lead change partner in opposite direction (contrario means opposite).
Not all the time, but when the command modifier “contrario” is used, for example “enchufla contrario”.

The leads are divided into two teams:

1. primeros: the caller + every second lead
   change partner in the regular direction (abajo / counter clockwise), and inside the segundos
2. segundos: the other leads
   change partner in arriba direction (clockwise), between the follows and the primeros

The follows do not have a primeros / segundos role in partner changes, but they have to be prepared for the lead coming from right or left all the time.

In the illustration, the primeros have a white t-shirt with a red band on the shoulder, the segundos have a straight white t-shirt.

The primeros using red bands also corresponds to the clothing in the video at the bottom of the page.

 

 

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Transitions

There are not really a transition from Rueda de casino, but it will come as a surprise if a contrario command is called out of the blue.

To prepare for Rueda contrario:

• Make sure you have an even number of couples (no single leads or follows)
• Prepare for Rueda contrario with a commands like “primeros un fly” or “segundos un fly” until all the leads know which team they are on

 

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Dancing Rueda contrario socially

The concept itself is easy enough to be used in a social rueda, the challenge is to avoid having one extra couple join during the song. This will kill the contrario option for the rest of the song, unless one more couple enters or exits the circle.

Examples of standard figures that work well in Rueda contrario:

• enchufla contrario
• dame una > dame contrario
• vacílala y dame contrario
• patin contrario
• un tarro contrario
• enchufla <whatever> contrario (enchufla con mambo contrario, etc.)
• festival de pelota contrario
• enchufla dos contrario (= enchufla y dame dos contrario)
• enchufla con vuelta contrario
• enchufla contrario y al revés

 

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Video demonstration

The upper video demonstrates the concept of rueda contrario, how the primeros and segundos travel. These basic contrario figures are shown in the video:

• enchufla contrario
• enchufla con vuelta contrario
• enchufla dos contrario

 

 

The lower video shows en example of rueda contrario danced with standard commands and contrario figures

• dame una
• dame contrario
• vacílala y dame contrario
• enchufla contrario
• enchufla doble contrario
• festival de pelota contrario
• enchufla con vuelta contrario
• enchufla dos contrario
• Tumba Francesa
• familia contrario
• patin contrario
• etc.

 

 

Thanks to the dancers: Agnethe, Anna, Bernt, Diego, Ethan, Gunhild, Noe and Sassan,
and a special thank you to Craig Dolder for recording.

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Origin

Rueda contrario was first presented in Munich in 2010 by Nikola Medic, the creator of this structure. He named the two teams “dame” (primeros) and “una p’arriba” (segundos). He emphasizes the slice-of-pizza idea during the partner changes: the primeros moving straight to the center and out backwards not facing the girl, to avoid crashes during the partner changes.

Fundador de Rueda contrario: Nikola Medic