What is English Country Dance?              

The "English country dance" (ECD) emerged as a distinct genre during the reign of Elizabeth I in the 16th century, and the first book of English country dances was published in 1651 by the publisher John Playford and Sons. From that time on, country dancing gained popularity throughout England, as well as Scotland, Ireland, Europe, and the American colonies.  Interest in the English country dance peaked in the late 18th century (as described, for example, in Jane Austen's novels and letters), and then quickly faded as social dancing in society was revolutionized by the introduction of the waltz, polka, and other couple dances in the early 19th century.

 

Dormant for 100 years, interest in the English country dance was re-awakened during a period of cultural nationalism that surfaced in England and other European countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cecil Sharp, an English musicologist and teacher, is credited as the primary re-discoverer of the country dance, both in its surviving vernacular form in the small villages of the English countryside, and in the 17th-century printed collections of Playford and other publishers and dancing masters intended for the cultured classes. Sharp re-interpreted country dances for contemporary audiences.

 

Interest in these dances continued to grow in the 20th century. In the last 30 years, hundreds of new dances and tunes in the English country dance style have been composed, representing a burst of creativity that surpasses even that of the 18th century.  On a typical evening, you will enjoy dances from 1651, 1776 and yesterday.

 

Why do people love ECD so much?

For many, it's the music - hauntingly beautiful tunes that make the heart swell. ECD tunes have tremendous variety; sometimes sweet and melodic, sometimes melancholy, and sometimes absolutely driving with a pulsating beat. Others love ECD for the grace and elegance with which you glide as you dance. At times, you simply get swept away as you become one with the music. Through it all, there's an indefinable quality to ECD that makes it energizing, mesmerizing, and just plain fun.

 

ECD is not hard to learn

 

If you can walk and know the difference between left and right, you already have much of the basic knowledge you'll need. As we do it in the United States, most of the movements are based simply on a walking or skipping step. Dancers move in a number of specific "figures", sometimes holding hands, sometimes by themselves. Each dance is prompted by a caller, so that each figure and movement is called in time to the music; you don't need to rely on your memory alone to know what to do.

 

Beginners are welcome and encouraged 

 

Partners are not necessary; you can come by yourself and be assured of dancing throughout the evening, since our tradition is to change partners for each dance. Local dances are social and friendly, and the atmosphere is informal. No special clothing is needed, other than clean, soft-soled shoes or sneakers.

 

What to wear/bring and expect at one of our dances

 

You don’t need a partner or fancy clothes, but do bring a pair of clean, flat-soled shoes that will be gentle on our venue’s hardwood floor.

 

Beginner teaching sessions start at 7:15 pm with dancing for all to outstanding live music starting at 7:30. We request a donation of $5/person to cover expenses.

 

When the caller announces a dance, she will say something like: “Take partners and form longways lines.” Gents can ask ladies to dance and vice versa—and it’s not uncommon to see two women or two men dancing together.  The caller will teach the figures of the dance and have the dancers “walk” it through several times before the music begins. And then you’re off on a wonderful voyage of music and dance! When the dance ends, thank your partner and look for someone else to dance with.

 

Special advice for beginners:  We recommend that beginners avoid dancing with each other (for example, if you arrive with a beginner spouse or date) for the first couple of dances—you’ll both learn faster that way.

 

We take a break at about 9:00 with light refreshments that dancers bring to share and then continue dancing until 10:00.