| English Country Dancing |
Nashville Country Dancers
Holding Weekly Contra & English Country Dances
Holding Weekly Contra & English Country Dances
English Country dancing resembles contra dancing with many of the same figures found in both dance
traditions. However, English Country dancing has a greater variety of figures, time signatures (including not
only jigs and reels, but waltz-time dances as well) and tempi.
Some consider English dancing less vigorous and more refined than contra dancing but a typical evening of
English dancing will run the gamut from slow waltz-time dances to lively, nonstop dances involving skipping
and athletic stepping.
Another way in which contra dancing has diverged from English dancing is greater freedom of tune
selections to accompany a given dance. Most English dances require a specific tune, many of them
enchantingly beautiful in their simplicity.
English Country dancing dates back to the 17th century and appealed to the likes Elizabeth I and Henry VIII.
As testimony to the popularity of country dancing, John Playford’s The English Dancing Master, a manual
first published in 1651, containing dance instructions and music, underwent eighteen editions. Many of these
dances serve as inspiration for new choreographies and are still danced at our annual Playford Ball.
traditions. However, English Country dancing has a greater variety of figures, time signatures (including not
only jigs and reels, but waltz-time dances as well) and tempi.
Some consider English dancing less vigorous and more refined than contra dancing but a typical evening of
English dancing will run the gamut from slow waltz-time dances to lively, nonstop dances involving skipping
and athletic stepping.
Another way in which contra dancing has diverged from English dancing is greater freedom of tune
selections to accompany a given dance. Most English dances require a specific tune, many of them
enchantingly beautiful in their simplicity.
English Country dancing dates back to the 17th century and appealed to the likes Elizabeth I and Henry VIII.
As testimony to the popularity of country dancing, John Playford’s The English Dancing Master, a manual
first published in 1651, containing dance instructions and music, underwent eighteen editions. Many of these
dances serve as inspiration for new choreographies and are still danced at our annual Playford Ball.
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| SCHEDULE DETAILS: (Click here for the complete dance schedule) English Country Dance on Monday nights Cohn Adult Learning Center in the Fall, Spring, and selected Summers when Metro schools are in session $15.00 per person, per semester Classes are located at Cohn Adult Learning Center which is a Metro school and, therefore, is subject to closure when schools are closed for vacation. Ed and Melissa Wilkinson will be the lead instructors in this refined and venerable art of dance and music For more information contact Ed and Melissa Wilkinson by phone 615-385-1129, or email them. English Country Dance on Sunday Afternoons Once a month, usually on the 2nd Sunday of each month from 4:00 pm- 6:30 pm. The cost is $6.00 per person. Dances located at the Friends Meeting House. View schedule For more information contact Kendal Broadie by phone 615-269-7555, or email him. English Country Dance at the Playford Ball Come dance with us at Nashville's Playford Ball, March 27-29, 2009 Learn more Download Brochure |
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