What is the Virginia Reel?

The Virginia Reel was a specific contra dance tradition from colonial Virginia featuring specific figures and remaining popular in American schools and folk communities.

Where did the Virginia Reel originate?

The Virginia Reel originated in Virginia in the 1750s.

What time signature is the Virginia Reel danced in?

The Virginia Reel is danced in 2/2 time.

What tempo is the Virginia Reel danced at?

The Virginia Reel is typically danced at 120-160 BPM.

What is the character of the Virginia Reel?

The Virginia Reel is characterized as spirited, progressive, educational, cultural.

Dance History›Historic American Contra›Virginia Reel

Historic American ContraVR

Virginia Reel

Also known as: Virginia Reel, American Reel

OriginVirginia

Era1750–1850

Rhythm2/2 time

Tempo120-160 BPM

CharacterSpirited, progressive, educational, cultural

History & Cultural Context

The Virginia Reel emerged in colonial Virginia as a specific contra dance tradition with established figures. The dance became particularly associated with Virginia culture and is traditionally taught in American schools. The Virginia Reel remains popular in contemporary folk dance communities and continues to be taught in some educational contexts.

Cultural Significance

The Virginia Reel represents colonial American dance traditions and continues to be taught in schools and folk communities as part of American cultural heritage.

Peak Popularity

1850s

85% estimated global awareness

Signature Figures

Forward & Back
Allemande
Circle

Notable Codifiers

Virginia colonial tradition

Dance Lineage

Evolved from:Contra Dance

Track Your Virginia Reel Progress

Practice Virginia Reel figures between lessons with Figure Focus — step-by-step breakdowns, floor diagrams, and progress tracking. Free to use.

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Virginia Reel Playlists

Curated collections on the LODance YouTube channel — performances to watch, lessons to learn from, and the right music to practice with. Tap a collection to play.

▶ Performances · Open on YouTube →

Virginia Reel Music & Tempo

Drawn from 25 Virginia Reel tracks in the LODance music library.

Example tracks at practice tempo

Turkey in the Straw — Traditional108 BPM
Sir Roger de Coverley — Traditional English-American116 BPM
Old Joe Clark — Traditional116 BPM
Devil's Dream — Traditional120 BPM
Ride Old Buck To Water — The Skillet-Lickers120 BPM
Oh! Dem Golden Slippers — James A. Bland120 BPM

Browse & play all 25 Virginia Reeltracks in the Music Library →

What to Wear

Attire guidance for Virginia Reel and other Historic American Contra dances. Each card below is sized to the moment — class, practice, social, or competition — because the wardrobe shifts as the stakes do.

Reading the cards

Class — group instruction; comfort first.

Practice — rehearsal; dress like the dance.

Social — public dance floor; smart casual to formal.

Competition — judged events; rule-bound costume.

In Class

Very casual: T-shirt and comfortable pants, sneakers or dance shoes. Contra dance is deliberately low-barrier.

Social Dancing

Casual and inclusive. Jeans, sundresses, comfortable layers. Some dancers bring a change of shirt (it's aerobic). Skirts that twirl are popular but optional. No dress code enforcement.

Competition

Contra dance is non-competitive by tradition. Performance groups wear coordinated casual outfits.

Shoes

Any smooth-soled shoe that allows pivoting. No flip-flops. Dance sneakers, jazz shoes, or Keds-style flats are ideal. Avoid shoes with grippy rubber soles.

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In Practice

Bring water and a change of shirt — contra runs aerobic. The community is genuinely casual; arriving overdressed reads as someone unfamiliar with the form.

Common Pitfalls

✗Rubber-soled sneakers — pivots become impossible.
✗Flip-flops or sandals without back straps — feet leave the shoe in fast figures.

Price Range

Budget: Keds, jazz shoes, or dance sneakers $30–80; existing casual clothing.
Mid: Dedicated dance sneakers $100–180; twirling skirts $40–100.

Quick Tips

•Suede-soled shoes allow controlled sliding and pivoting — essential for most partner dances.
•Avoid rubber soles on dance floors; they grip too much and can cause knee injuries.
•Bring a separate pair of clean shoes for the dance floor to keep it in good condition.

Evolution of Dance Attire →Shop the look · Gear Guide →

Sources & Further Reading

Where This Dance Is Documented

Early American collections; English country lineage

An editor's note on where the technique for this dance is actually written down — sometimes a named book, sometimes the fact that no such book exists. A judgement, not a count of what we hold.

Cultural & Historical Context

Virginia Reel emerged from Virginia during the 1750s—1850s. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.

Formative Influences

Codifiers & Standardizers:

Virginia colonial tradition

Signature Movement Vocabulary:

Forward & Back, Allemande, Circle

Primary Source Documents

The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.

Last reviewed: August 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.