English Country Dance Schedule
Childgrove English Country Dancers dance usually (but not always - check below!) on First Mondays and Third Fridays*
English Country Dancing is an easy, fun, social dance done to live classical music. Although it has a long history, it is a very alive tradition, with new dances and music being written all the time.
On First Mondays, we have a "Learn to Dance English" event from 7-9pm. This is perfect for folks who are curious and would like to try the sort of dancing you've seen in those Jane Austen movies. Experienced dancers are highly encouraged to come for the entire evening to help the new folks have a bunch of fun, then stay and enjoy a few more complex dances later in the evening.
We also have regular English Country dances with live music on third Fridays from 7:00-9:30pm with the occasional fancy dress ball (see the schedule) thrown in. Everyone is welcome; all dances are taught and prompted; no partner is required; come alone or bring a friend. First-timers are encouraged to come early for the simpler dances that are taught earlier in the evening.
Wear comfortable clothes and comfortable (flat) shoes. We normally wear casual clothing at our regular dances, and dress up for the balls.
High Tea
Once a year on Labor Day Weekend we hold an English Country Dance Weekend called "HIGH TEA" - we bring in a national-level caller and band, and dance Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It often sells out, so be sure to sign up early next year!
NEWS FLASH!!! (2019) The new edition of Barnes (collections of tunes for dances all ECD groups use) is out, and a one of our local dancers has, not one, but THREE, dances featured in Barnes 3. The tune for Bob Green's "Waves of Grain" (to the tune, "Wheat," by local fiddler Martha Edwards!), is there, as well as his "I wrote it on the Grapevine" - to "Pacheco Pass," a tune written by the wonderful Ladies at Play, of Oklahoma City.
Upcoming Dances
Friday, August 30 thru Sunday September 1, 2019 High Tea English Country Dance Weekend
band: Dave Wiesler on piano, Martha Edwards and Amanda Ramey on violin
caller: Joanna Reiner
Monday September 2, 2019 Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) CANCELLED!
So sorry, but we think we'll be pretty tired from the High Tea weekend. See you on the 20th!
Friday September 20, 2019 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Martha Edwards, Alyssa Catlin and Roger Netherton
caller: Missy Reisenleiter - A Night of Different English Country Dance Configurations
Monday October 7, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday October 18, 2019 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Martha Edwards, Alyssa Catlin and Roger Netherton
caller: Sarah Kaiser
Monday November 4, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday November 15, 2019 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Martha Edwards, Alyssa Catlin and Roger Netherton
caller: Karen Jackson
Monday December 2, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday December 20, 2019 7pm Yuletide Ball English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Alyssa Catlin and Roger Netherton and Friend
caller: Wonderful Local Callers
Past Dances 2019
Monday January 7, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday January 18, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Martha Edwards and Aileen Murphy on violin, Tim Lilly on guitar
caller: Zoë Quinn and Conner Quinn
Monday February 4, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday February 15, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Cloud Nine (Martha Edwards and Aileen Murphy, fiddle, Tim Hirzel, flute, Tim Lilly, harp and guitar)
caller: Karen Jackson
Monday March 4, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday March 15, 2019 7pm HELLO SPRING! English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Tim Lilly on harp and guitar, Aileen Murphy on fiddle, and Tim Hirzel on flute etc.
caller: Karen Jackson, Zoë Quinn and Conner Quinn
Monday April 1, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday April 19, 2019 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Martha Edwards and Aileen Murphy on fiddle, Alyssa Catlin on guitar
caller: Bob Green
Monday May 6, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday May 17, 2019 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Cloud Nine - Tim Lilly - harp and guitar, Martha Edwards and Aileen Murphy - fiddle, Tim Hirzel - flute
caller: Missy Reisenleiter, calling a Gary Roodman night!
Monday June 3, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday June 21, 2019 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: TBA
caller: Jonathan Sivier of Champaign-Urbana, IL
Monday July 1, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday July 19, 2019 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Hot Tea Breakdown (Tom Cunningham, Martha Edwards, Kate Sanders)
caller: Ladies Night Out (Karen Jackson, Missy Reisenleiter, Jill Horn, & Friends)
Friday, July 26, 2019 at 7pm - Extra Extra! Read all about it! English Dance with Jacqueline Schwab $10
band: the NECromancers (Jacqueline Schwab and Martha Edwards, both of whom graduated from NEC, the New England Conservatory)
callers: Peter Wollenberg, Bob Green and (we hope) Jim Thaxter
Monday August 5, 2019 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday August 16, 2019 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Martha Edwards, Alyssa Catlin and Roger Netherton
caller: Tom Hurlbut from Muscatine, IA