Never heard of English Country Dancing (ECD)?
If you've ever seen a movie about British society based in the 1600s-1800s that included dancing (eg Pride and Prejudice), you've seen English Dance. Happily, English Dance has recently been regaining popularity. And since I've been told there must be videos...
Hole in the Wall
Mr. Beveridge's Maggot
Hole in the Wall
Mr. Beveridge's Maggot
Why do people love English Dancing?
Beautiful music is definitely a draw, with a full range from waltzes to jigs. One dance might be slow and graceful, and the next might have you laughing breathlessly.
Others love the elegant moves, which sweep you across the floor in beautiful patterns.
And, of course, how many dance styles give you the opportunity to dance with everyone in the room?
Others love the elegant moves, which sweep you across the floor in beautiful patterns.
And, of course, how many dance styles give you the opportunity to dance with everyone in the room?
Can I learn?
If you can walk and know your right from your left, you have the necessary basic qualifications (though there may be a little skipping in some of the faster dances). At the beginning of the evening, we'll go over a few basic steps and concepts that you might need to be familiar with. Each dance is a series of figures that you will dance with first one group, and then repeat with the next, and then the next. Each figure is prompted by a caller, so you don't need to worry about forgetting where you're going. And you don't have to bring your own partner... The style of the dance is meant to introduce you to as many people as possible, so it's traditional to dance with someone new for each dance.