For those who have ever used the excuses, `` I have two left feet,'' `` I have no rhythm'' or, simply, `` I just can't dance,'' contra dancing may be an easy and fun way for even those with the worst rhythm to break out their dancing shoes.

The steps, described by Shawn Kendrick, the dance organizer for the Rehoboth Con tra Dance and president of the Rehoboth Country Dance Soci ety, are really just a smooth, fast walk.

`` If you can put one foot in front of the other, then you can contra dance,'' she said.

With easy, repetitive steps that are similar to square dancing moves, such as dosi-doing and swing ing your partner, contra dancing is an energetic dance where dancers line up in rows of cou ples and move from person to person. This allows every one to dance with one another.

A person known as a caller helps guide people through each dance before the live music begins, directing newcom ers and refreshing the memories of regular contra dancers. A typical contra dance starts off with easy dances that usual ly last about eight minutes, and as the night progresses, the level of difficulty increases.

However, the repetitive steps and the caller make it easy for even beginners to pick up the dance moves. First-timers are encouraged to dance with more experienced dancers to help them learn faster.

`` It's a very warm and wel coming dance,'' said Kendrick. `` With other dances you feel bad about messing up, but here, there's a learning curve.''

The dances are usually very informal and do not require any dress themes. People are encouraged to wear leather shoes to make the pivoting dance moves easier and to avoid scuffing the floor. Dancers are also encouraged to wear layers of clothing.

`` It's cold when you get there, but by 20 minutes, people are taking off their sweatshirts,'' said Bob Elliott, a contra dancer and organizer for the Rehoboth Community Dance that features `` turning'' dances such as waltzes and polkas.

`` Some people treat it like an athletic event,'' he added, not ing that a night of contra danc ing is a great aerobic workout.

0 What is contra dancing?

Although its moves are some what similar to square dancing, contra dancing is more closely related to English country dancing which became popular throughout the 17th century. With Celtic roots, contra dances are accompanied by Irish, Eng lish and Scottish jigs and reels. As colonists moved to the Unit ed States during the 18th centu ry, contra dancing became pop ular, especially in New England.

Today, contra dancing has become a growing interest.

On an average night at a Rehoboth Contra Dance, which are held on the second and fourth Fridays of the month at Goff Hall, 100 people show up for several hours of dancing, said Kendrick. Established in 1981 by the contra band, Geese in the Bog, the Rehoboth Contra Dance has continued to grow.

(for contra dancing photos, click on photo gallery on home page)