Agrarius Regency Ball

Saturday
February 16, 2008
7:30 - 11:00pm

Farmington Hills, MI

Music by Childgrove

Oakland Hills Community Church, in collaboration with AACTMAD, invites you to an exquisite evening of English country dancing in the spirit of the Regency period. Luscious music will be provided by Ann Arbor-based Childgrove and skilled dance leaders will prompt all dances. The evening will also include: scrumptious refreshments, a retiring room, card tables, and period games for you to enjoy when not dancing.

Dance program:

The ball program will be drawn from the following list:

Staff:

Childgrove features Debbie Jackson on piano, Anne Ogren on fiddle, viola, and an occasional kazoo, and Martha Stokely on oboe, pennywhistle, recorder, and kazoo. The three bring their fluid, eclectic approach to the elegant and compelling melodies of English country dance, drawing on their backgrounds including classical, Celtic, jazz, Klezmer, and other intricate styles featuring complex rhythms and unusual harmonies. The effect is always spirited and completely danceable. Hearing this music makes you want to learn the dances that go with it.

Rehearsal workshops will also feature music by master musicians Susie Lorand (fiddle and recorder) and Steve Schneider (pretty much anything).

Dances will be taught and prompted by Arlene Kindel, Bronwen Gates, Ray Bantle, and Shirley Harden all of whom are experienced anchor callers of the Ann Arbor Tuesday night English country dance series.

Lansing Regency Ball - June 2007

On Monday, 24 December 1798, in a letter to her sister Cassandra, Jane Austen described the exuberance she had experienced at a recent ball:

"There were twenty dances, and I danced them all, and without any fatigue. I was glad to find myself capable of dancing so much, and with so much satisfaction as I did . . . in cold weather and with a few couples I fancy I could just as well dance for a week together as for half an hour."

Jane Austen Movie (dancing scene)

Lansing Ball Rehearsal - June 2007

Come join us any Tuesday, year-round.

Your Preparation:

In the interest of maximizing the enjoyment for everyone:

• The Ball will be more enjoyable for all because all dancers will be familiar with English country dance basics. If you are new to English dancing, the pre-Ball rehearsals are a great opportunity to experience its pleasures. The Saturday afternoon workshops on February 2, 9, and 16 will teach the basics, covering the specific dances of the rich and varied February 16 Ball program. If you are new to English country dancing, you must attend at least one of the rehearsals to dance at the Ball. With wonderful live music and clear teaching, the rehearsals will be enjoyable in themselves. Attend all three, and you'll be a pro!
• Bronwen Gates has prepared an "Introduction to English Country Dance Vocabulary" (4 page PDF) which you will find most helpful between the workshops.
• Period evening dress of the English Regency period (1800-1825) is requested but not required. Click here for information about what to wear, including a great little video, "How to Get a Proper Regency Look from a Thrift Store."

Venue:

Admission:

Questions or more info: