English Country Dance Schedule
Childgrove English Country Dancers
Present a Dance Series in Saint Louis, Missouri, usually (but not always - check below!) on First Mondays and Third Fridays*
What is English Country Dancing?
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.
Once a year 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. This year's weekend, August 31-September 2, 2018, with Gene Murrow and the Ladies at Play was sold out in May! Be sure to sign up early next year!
We dance in the Monday Club, a beautiful old building in Webster Groves (a most pleasant suburb of St. Louis, Missouri) with a wonderful dance space.
Wear comfortable clothes and comfortable (flat) shoes. We normally wear casual clothing at our regular dances, and dress up for the balls.
Upcoming Dances
band: Cloud Nine (Tim Lilly, harp and guitar, Martha Edwards, violin) with Justus Matthews, clarinet
caller: Keith Tuxhorn from Springfield, IL
Monday November 5, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
If you are new to English, or new to dancing, this is for you! Experienced dancers are encouraged to come to help the newer dancers - we'll do some more complex dances later in the evening.
Friday November 16, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: TBA
caller: Karen Jackson
Monday December 3, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
If you are new to English, or new to dancing, this is for you! Experienced dancers are encouraged to come to help the newer dancers - we'll do some more complex dances later in the evening.
Friday December 21 2018 7pm YULETIDE BALL $15 (ask about discounts)
band: TBA
caller: wonderful local callers
Past English Dances in 2018
Monday January 8, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday January 19, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Tu'Penny Players
caller: MR2 (Mark Rice and Missy Reisenleiter)
Monday February 5, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday February 16, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Tu'Penny Players
caller: Peter Wollenberg, Mark Rice, Karen Jackson
Monday March 5, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
Friday March 16, 2018 7pm HELLO SPRING BALL $15 (ask about discounts)
band: Tu'Penny Players
caller: wonderful local callers
Monday April 2, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple
If you are new to English, or new to dancing, this is for you! Experienced dancers are encouraged to come to help the newer dancers - we'll do some more complex dances later in the evening.
Friday April 20, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Tu'Penny Players
caller: Jonathan Sivier from Champaign/Urbana, IL
Monday May 7, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
callers: multiple
band: Tu'Penny Players
caller: Zoë Quinn from Belleville, IL
Monday June 4, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
callers: multiple
Friday June 15, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Tu'Penny Players
caller: Tom Hurlbut from Muscatine, IA
Monday July 2, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
callers: multiple
If you are new to English, or new to dancing, this is for you! Experienced dancers are encouraged to come to help the newer dancers - we'll do some more complex dances later in the evening.
Friday July 20, 2018 7pm MIDSUMMER NIGHT English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Ragged Robin (Billy Boyer, keyboard, and Martha Edwards, violin)
callers: Ladies' Night out (come dance to our wonderful local lady callers!)
Monday August 6, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
callers: multiple
If you are new to English, or new to dancing, this is for you! Experienced dancers are encouraged to come to help the newer dancers - we'll do some more complex dances later in the evening.
Friday August 17, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Ragged Robin (Billy Boyer, keyboard, and Martha Edwards, violin)
caller: Nicholas Rockstroh from Louisville, KY
Friday, August 31 - Sunday, September 2, 2018 - High Tea English Country Dance Weekend (sold out!)
band: The Ladies at Play from Oklahoma City,
(Miranda Arana, Shanda Macdonald and Kathy Dagg, plus Martha Edwards from St Louis)
caller: Gene Murrow from New York City
Monday September 3, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) CANCELLED
This dance is cancelled because we're all tired and happy from the High Tea weekend
Friday September 21, 2018 7pm English Country Dance $10 (ask about discounts)
band: Cloud Nine (Tim Lilly, harp and guitar, Martha Edwards, violin) with Justus Matthews, clarinet
caller: Conner Quinn and Missy Reisenleiter
Monday October 1, 2018 7pm Learn to Dance English (aka Plain and Fancy Dance) $5
music: recorded
caller: multiple