Intriguing English Dances at UCG

Dear Dancers,

We will be repeating Daybreak to the Asian tune, "Hunan Hornpipe" by Jonathan Jensen and a waltz circle dance, among others. Hornpipes, and jigs, and waltzes, oh my! A triple minor; a dance written by Jim Kitch (well-known for his contra's). And who wouldn't want to dance "The Black Nag" (watch us performing it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrgbWlaNkgI), or "Whirligig", or "Midwinter Maggot".

Would you like to do a performance? Sign up for Viva Europe on March 23--it's sponsored by UF at the downtown plaza and it's nice to have English dancers as part of this event.

We've been having a wonderfully eclectic group of dancers! Thanks to our core dancers who help the new comers along! And if you are a newer dancer, keep coming back--once the vocabulary becomes more familiar so will the moves. We repeat some dances from the week before, so there were be ones that you are familiar with.

Want to do more English dancing? Opportunities are coming up. There is a Friday evening English dance each week in Jacksonville and a 2nd Saturday dance each month in St. Cloud. Sign up now for the Nashville Playford Ball, March 22 - 24, where David Millstone will be calling to the music of Foxfire (Karen Axelrod & Daron Douglas). There will be the Mayfair Ball in St. Cloud in May--an afternoon dance, and an evening ball.

Dances done January 7 were: (those starred were done so by dancers to do again) R indicates Repertiore dance.

Highland Lilt (LW, 1's lead down, spearate, go around next couple, meet, lead back to home)

Rakes of Rochester (LW, 1's chasse down the center, open out, chasse back up)

* Jack By the Hedge (LW, corners set, walk to center, spin to be back-to-back with corner, all spiral out)

* Salt of the Earth (4 cpl, ends star left half, middles right half, ends left half)

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

* Daybreak (LW, Asian tune; first corners balance forward (toward partner) second corners balance back (away from partner)

* Key to the Cellar (Triple Mnr; actives gate up into heys across)

* Nightwatch (LW, Watlz, Chevron with partners follow partner back into the set)

* Apollo's Hunt (LW, Mirror gypsy your neighbor, and again on the other side of the set)

 

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.

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)

1624 Northwest 5th Avenue

If you go north on 13th Street from University Avenue, take a left on (west) 5th Avenue. After you pass 15th Street you will see a parking lot on your right, to the east of the buildings (before the church). We will be dancing in the Fellowship Hall. If you walk out of the parking lot, straight ahead, you will go to the correct room. Look for the Yellow and Red Signs. If you're coming from the west, take a left on 17th Street and the a right on 5th Avenue. The church buildings will be on your left--the parking lot will be just past them.

Cost $5 + 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!

Upcoming Dances:

St. Cloud English Dance

Saturday, February 9

2 - 5 pm

Florida callers

Live Music

Orange Park Home Dance

Every Friday Evening

Contact Veronica Lane for Details

See Don Pauley's website for more information about these and other dancing opportunities. http://dancefl.us/ecd/index.php

If you are interested in the history of English Country Dancing here are some good websites:

http://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/~winston/ecd/origins_and_evolution.htmlx

http://www.colinhume.com/deorigin.htm

http://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/~winston/ecd/history.htmlx