Plate Full of Maggots and Other English Country Dances

Dear Dancers,

 
That's just what you'll get if you come to dance with us on Monday evening, Halloween.  But don't worry--they are lots of fun and our dancers really bring delicious food (I hear there will be a wonderful dessert this week)! There are alot of English Country Maggot Dances.  What is a Maggot dance?  This use of maggot means a fanciful or whimsical thing which derives from the folk belief that a whimsical or crotchety person had maggots in his or her brain.  So these are dances with unique or unusual moves. Some dances we'll be doing are The Devil's Maggot, Dick's Maggot, Jack (O'lantern's) Maggot, The Flying Sorceress, The Black Cat, and Puck's Deceit.  I just love the names of English dances!!! There are some for every occassion!  Remember you may dress up if you like (scare us or come as a Regency person)--or come as yourself! 
 
The Gainesville English Dancers had a wonderful time performing on Saturday at the Micanopy Fall Festival.  We danced Bryon's Boutade, An Early Frost, Fandango, Fast Friends, Wibsey Roundabout, and Freeford Gardens.  We had 10 dancers (Piper Call, Sarah Reynierson, Trish Peterson, Lisa Jensen, Annette Merritt, Michael Croft, Kurt Seaburg, Alex Funk, Will Winter and Randy Thorp (who also called and led us through the dances) and Hoggetowne Fancy (Bob Reynierson, Isabel Coutts, John Monkus and Dave Willkom) played the beautiful music.  Everyone was dressed in Regency clothing--ladies in long, Empire, colorful dresses and the gentlemen in their vests and cravates (swoon!!). 

 

Come join us on Monday evening to listen to beautiful live music by Hoggetowne Fancy, conquer the interesting figures, hear some dance history and amusing facts, exercise, and have fun!!
 

Please bring a water bottle or cup if you can remember--so we don't use so much plasticware. And bring a snack to share. 

 

Everyone is welcome.  No experience, special dress, or partner is necessary. Come join us for a wonderful evening of dancing.  If you are new or have only been once or twice, please come back.  New people have been doing fine by following along.  They always comment that everyone was so nice and understanding.  We've all been new and we understand.  The only requirement is to bring a smile and to have fun. 

Dances done last week were:  (those starred were requested by dancers to do again this week)

 

* The Potter's Wheel (LW, Dolphin Hey) 

Impropriety (LW 1^st couple starts each round of dance on a different side)

* Jaque Latin (set 2x diagonally in towards set of 4; set 2x out)

* Turn of the Tide (LW, waltz-time, one's lead down, turn, fall down, lead up, turn fall up)

Mr. Isaacs's Maggot (LW, corners turn, release hands but lock eyes)

* The Dancing Wife (LW, Dance with couples above your set)  

Zephyrs & Flora (LW; corners join R hands; join L hands; turn half way)

* Alice (LW waltz; single file around the circle)

Belle of Amherst (3 cpl; partners right shoulder together, turn single left pass partner left...)

* Evergreen (LW women walk out of the set followed by partner, turn and back the man into place with eyes!)

 

Dance with us every Monday evening:

 

308 W University Avenue
Upstairs (park underneath)

Cost $5 + donation for the musicians (their only compensation)
Lesson 6:45; Dancing 7 - 9:30 pm
Bring a snack to share

 

Upcoming Dances:

November 12, Saturday

St. Cloud English Country Dance

2 - 5 pm

Annette (& Randy)