Dear Gentle Reader,
Lord Grey’s English Country Dance Society cordially invites you to reserve a spot on your dance card for a voyage to The Blue Mountains.
English Country Dance caller Lorraine Sutton encourages fans of Bridgerton and Jane Austen stories to bring fiction to life with Lord Grey’s English Country Dance Society, adding with a laugh, “Unfortunately they’re not likely to meet a Duke.”
Sutton has been calling many types of dances – contra and barn dances – since about 1985, and calling English dances since 2013.
“I love the patterns, that’s what’s always attracted me over the years but it’s social, gently physical, the music is delightful some by Henry Purcell and some by Mozart,” said Sutton, who has called many events locally. “It’s also good for your brain because it is structured dance.”
“English Country Dancing has both a tradition from Jane Austen and the Regency Period but is also still a vital and vibrant era,” said Sutton.
She explains the three levels of English country dancing. The first was of the Jane Austen era of the 1770s to 1790s when there would have been an assembly, which is a community dance. She says the 2015 Pride and Prejudice film has great dancing.
Balls were private parties and more stately, compared to the more raucous country dances.
The early 1820s saw the lively and bouncy dances of the Regency Era.
“Ever since then people are still writing English Country dances and finding appropriate music,” said Sutton. Like so many other things the dances have gone through phases but have been kept alive by enthusiasts in many countries, including England, America, Canada and the Netherlands.
Modern dances are being composed in the traditional style.
Lord Grey’s English Country Dance Society is holding dances at the Blue Mountains Public Library in Thornbury this fall with a free trial from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 8.
“They don’t need a partner and they don’t need any experience,” said Sutton, noting that people who have participated in any kind of community square dancing will recognize some of the basic moves.
“We walk everybody through everything and teach them each of the figures,” she said.
Dancers are advised to wear regular clothes and comfortable shoes.
Dances continue on Sept. 29, Oct. 13 and27,Nov.10and24from2p.m.to4 p.m. at a cost of $15 per dance, or $60 for five “delightful autumnal dances.”
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