Curious about English Country Dancing? Please register through 317 Main (207-846-9559).
You say you’ve never heard of English Country Dancing? You’re in good company, but if you’ve seen Pride and Prejudice, Emma, or Sense and Sensibility at the movies you have indeed seen it! But fear not, English Country Dancing (ECD) is not some obscure relic. While this traditional form of group dance has been around for several hundred years, it’s still thriving today – there is ECD happening in communities all around the United States. If you can walk and know the difference between your left and your right, you already have much of the basic knowledge you need to get started with ECD. Most of the movements are simply based on a walking or skipping step. Dancers move in a number of specific “figures” sometimes holding hands, sometimes by themselves. Each dance will be taught and prompted by a “caller” and every movement is called in time with the music, so you don’t need to rely on your memory alone to know what to do. Beginners are welcome and encouraged. Costumes are not needed and partners are not necessary, since the tradition changes partners often. And then there’s the music – beautiful tunes that will make the heart swell – sometimes sweet, sometimes stately, and sometimes absolutely driven with a pulsating beat. All of this combines to make ECD energizing, mesmerizing, social, and just plain fun!
