Dances

One of the first reactions we receive when talking about our dances is, "I can't dance."  Our response, "Whoa, wait a minute!  If you can walk, you can dance!"

Our group enjoys several different types of dancing all of which have histories that are more than two centuries old!  Below is a brief overview of each type.  You will note that nearly all of our dancing is done in groups rather than by single couples.  We have found these to be immense fun, and most dances can be accomplished by complete novices!

Beginners: We walk through every dance, sometimes multiple times so that everyone is comfortable with the steps before we begin.  If someone has a question or is unsure of a step or pattern, we have a number of more experienced dancers who are happy to help!  So, as we said before: if you can walk, you can dance!

English Country Dancing (ECD)/Contradancing (Contra)  are forms of dancing that became popular in Europe during the 1650's and later in the Colonies and united States of America.  They remained as the primary form of dance until replaced by square dancing and couples dances in the 1820's and 30's.  A typical dance will be in line or circle form comprised of anywhere from 2 - 10 or more couples.  If you are familiar with any of the Jane Austen novels such as Pride and Prejudice, or Emma you have seen English Country Dancing!

Square Dancing gained popularity once again in England before spreading to the rest of Europe and America.  This style of dancing replaced Contradances from the 17th and 18th centuries before being overshadowed by waltzes, polkas and other couples dances.  Some forms of square dancing can be found as far back as the early 18th century though they did not become popular until after the quadrille came along, originating in France in 1760 and spreading to England around 1808. Quadrilles were all the rage in America during the War Between the States with some dance cards being comprised of more than fifty percent quadrilles!  As indicated by the name, this type of dance is made of four couples formed into a square.  

Waltzes, Polkas and Other Couples Dances began sometime during the late 1700's in Austria and some of the peasant classes in Europe but were considered too scandalous for most of Europe and America until the 1820's and 30's.  With the waning of English Country Dancing couples dances were often mixed in with quadrilles and other square dances.  We do a very limited number of this type of dancing because they are definitely more difficult to dance and we also prefer to encourage group interaction versus breaking up into individual couples.  Properly performed they are a lot of fun, very beautiful and appropriate!

Dances We Have Done: 

Accord to Pinewoods
Auretti's Dutch Skipper
Angel's Unawares
Black Nag
The Bonny Grey-Ey'd Morn
Bury Fair
Childgrove
Christchurch Bells
Christina
Circassion Circle
Cockle Shells
The Collier's Daughter
The Dancing Wife
Draper's Maggot
A Double Duet
The Duke of Kent's Waltz
Easter Tuesday
Farewell Marian
The Female Saylor
The Flowers of Edinburgh
Freeford Gardens
The Geud Man of Ballengigh
Gotham Jubilee
Gothic Dance
Handel with Care
Haymakers
The Hole in the Wall
Horseplay
Hull's Victory
I Care Not for These Ladies
The Introduction
The Italian Disappointment
Jefferson & Liberty
John Tallis' Canon
Juniata
Kneeland Romp
Knives & Forks
Knole Park
The Lancers Quadrilles
The Levi Jackson
Marie's Wedding
Mary K
Muriel's Measure
The Old Mill
Patty Cake Polka
The Physical Snob
Progressive Gordon
The Queen's Jig
Rufty Tufty
Salley in our Alley
The Seaside/The Last Dance
Sellenger's Round
Softly Good Tummas
The Spaniard
The Spanish Waltz/Portland Fancy
Sunlight Through Draperies
Terpsicourante
Turning by Threes
Turning of the Year
Virginia Reel
Yellow Stockings