English Country Dance for All with Suzanne Ford will be at the Heritage House in East Brainerd on Aug. 28, Sept. 4 and 18 from 7-9 p.m.
English Country Dance was the popular form of social dance in England and the American colonies beginning around 1650 (John Playford's "English Dancing Master"), and continued through the 1700s and into the early 1800s (when the waltz became popular and superseded it).
Related to Contra dance, ECD moves at a slower pace with a variety of patterns and utilizes beautiful music matched to each dance. The contemporary repertoire includes dances from the historical past as well as the present, and the style ranges from elegant to lively.
Admission is free and all ages are welcome. No partner or previous experience is necessary.
All dances are taught and walked through with prompting and attention to detail and style.
The class starts with some basic ECD moves, including: "The Set & Turn Single," "Hey for Three," "The Figure Eight" and "The Star Across," and will include instruction in the two-hand turn, changes of rights and left S and back to backs, as well as many other dance moves.
The two hour program includes dances from the historical era as well as the modern English Country Dance repertoire.
The Heritage House Arts & Civic Center is at 1428 Jenkins Road.
Participants should bring a separate pair of soft-soled shoes (sneakers or flats) for dancing (the 'slipperier' the better).