English Country Dancing Get ready for Fandango

This week we will be doing 6 dances from the Fandango program which will happen in Atlanta at the end of the month.  Many of our dancers are going--and everyone will enjoy the variety.

And that includes everyone's favorite, Fandango!  It's a wonderful 3 couple dance where you learn to dance to the music.  There are slow turns and fast slipping circles with hoots and hollers (this is the second Monday with the NAMI meeting next door so we have to refrain from excess noise).  You can watch it here from Fandango last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNYZ8qTSAXw&feature=plcp

Another dance which we will do is the three couple, Our Brief Encounter.  You can see in the first half of the video (filming starts in the middle of the dance.  The dance begins again at :30).
https://vimeo.com/18479526

If you are thinking about going to Fandango, spots are filling up quickly--almost full.  And if you are thinking about going to Sebring, now is the time to send in your registration.  Shortly, rooms will be given back to the motel and sign-ups will still be available if rooms are available. 

I know what you are thinking.  I dance English every week--that's enough.  Why do I want to spend all that money and all weekend do to more?  That's what we thought when we started dancing and everyone talked about weekends.  We thought they were crazy--we'd never do that!  And once we went we understood why.  First, your dancing reaches a new level.  You do a wide variety of dances and it's like learning anything--the more you do it the better you become.  And you can immerse yourself in lovely music and movement and smiling faces.  Meet others.  Explore a new city.  Stay in a turn of the century lodge.  Dance in a gorgeous ballroom.  Play dress up.

Remember both singles and couples are welcome.  No one has to have a partner (just like on Monday's).  And with everyone staying at the lodge and there being breakfast and lunch together, it's an easy way to socialize--or you can always go to your room to relax for the next session.  You get alot for your money--music, dancing, lodging, food.  There is also an outdoor swimming pool. 



Dances done last week were: (R means repertoire--dances we pull from for demonstrations)

Dance in the Village (LW, 2^nd crnrs right hand turn ½, then dance around partners to home)

Horseplay (LW Line of 4 fall back, come forward, gypsy your end)

Longevity (LW, waltz-time, 2 cousins siding: 3 steps to meet partner left shoulder, 3 steps to pivot to right shoulder, 6 steps to gypsy ¾ round)

After Dinner Maggot (Triple Mnr, 1^st lady, followed by partner, cast to 2^nd for single file cirle with the three's)

Madeira Coastline (LW, to Ashokan Farewell)

Midwinter Maggot (LW, single file circle left halfway, turn left, single file circle right halfway, turn right)

Joseph's Idyll (LW, Cross-handed dance with promenade, lady turning right under mans left hand)

Future Planning  Now is the time to put these dates on your calendar:

September 14, St. Cloud Regional dance with 4 callers, 2 - 5 pm. 

September, 27 - 29 Fandango in Atlanta!  There will be lots of us going.

October 18 - 20,  Sharpes Assembly, Sebring Florida.  Stay and dance at the Historical Kenilworth Lodge.  There will be even more of us going.

For more information about these and other events see Don Pauley's website:  http://dancefl.us/ecd/index.php

If you'd like to review some of the vocabulary, here is a link for some English dance terms:

http://cdny.org/page/ecd-figures 

Join us any (and every!!) Monday evening. Learn the interesting movements and patterns of English Country Dance set to beautiful live music by Hoggetowne Fancy. We are very fortunate to have musicians who play for us. Not very many weekly dance groups can enjoy dancing to live music. If you choose to watch instead of dance please feel free to let people know. We want you to be comfortable to do whatever you choose. But people will ask you so that everyone feels included and not left out.

Everyone is welcome. All dances are taught, walked through, and called. No experience, partner, or special dress is necessary. Randy Thorp is the caller. His aim is for everyone to have fun. He has dancers mark on a chart which dances they enjoy, so that he can plan each dance week with a program that our group will enjoy. Newcomers are welcome---come at 6:45 for the lesson.

Do you have a parent who might enjoy watching the dancers and listening to the music? Bring them for free.

At United Church of Gainesville (UCG)

 

Annette

1624 Northwest 5th Avenue

Cost $5 (after February for UCG dancers)+ donation for the musicians (their only compensation)
Lesson 6:45; Dancing 7 - 9:30

Bring a snack to share
Bring a water bottle or cup for the earth!