Greetings to Everyone in the TADAMS community,
The TADAMS Board decided at the August 25, 2025, meeting to retire the role terms Gents and Ladies and adopt the terms Larks and Robins. This decision is the result of more than a year of discussion and deliberation. The Board agreed by consensus to adapt non-gendered terminology. We considered two separate proposals for Larks/Robins terminology and Leads/Follows terminology. The proposal to implement Larks/Robins role terminology passed by majority vote. The Board guides its decisions by the value that TADAMS contra dances are a place where all are welcome to make joyful connections through dance and music. We believe this decision will support the realization of our organization’s values and offer our community an opportunity to grow through connection and innovation.
We will begin using the role terms Larks and Robins at our November 22 dance. Our callers will teach these terms during the beginners workshops and walk throughs to familiarize all dancers with these role terms. This means the dancers on the Left of the dance couple will be referred to as Larks, and those on the Right will be referred to as Robins. If you are accustomed to Gent/Lady role terms but can’t remember their relational positions, the Gent stands on the left (Lark), and the Lady is on the right (Robin). That’s the only change!
The activity and etiquette of the dance remains the same. Anyone can ask anyone to dance, and conversely, everyone is free to accept or decline an invitation to dance. Each couple decides which dancer will dance each role, and each role is equally empowered to simultaneously lead and follow. The greatest goal of contra dance is to have fun and to help those around us to have fun also. Together, we will continue to pursue joy and connection through dance and music.
See you on the dance floor.
The TADAMS Board of Directors,
Robert, Stephanie, Virginia, Hannah, Lucie, Chris, and Gregg