About

English Country dancing is a traditional form of social dance that has its roots as far back as the 1650s, but is also living art form with new dances being written all the time. It has many similarities to American square dancing and contra dancing, but employs a wider variety of musical styles and time signatures. A given evening might include jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes, and more.

If you have seen dancing in one of the many popular Colonial or Regency historical films, you have probably seen a representation of English Country Dancing. Many people associate it with the writings of Jane Austen, who frequently mentioned such dancing in her novels.

It is comprised of a variety of figures arranged into a repeating dance. Most are danced in long lines of couples up and down the hall, though some dances are in sets of three or four couples, or in squares. There is no footwork, as it is generally danced in a plain walking step, or the occasional skip. They frequently vary from slow & elegant to raucous & rowdy in the course of any given evening.

All of the dances are taught and then prompted by the caller while they are being danced. It is not necessary to come with a partner. Dancers are not confined to traditional gender roles, and may dance with whoever they choose. As a social form of dance, people generally change partners throughout the course of an evening. This is especially helpful to new dancers, since it gives them the opportunity to dance and learn from other more experienced dancers.

We hope that your join us at one of the dances listed on our homepage.