Continuing with this month's all-announcements, all the time version of blogging, coming up in just under a month is The Elegant Arts Society's annual Regency Assembly, to be held in New Haven, Connecticut on the weekend of October 18-19, 2008. On the Saturday, I will be teaching an afternoon dance workshop and precepting the evening ball to the accompaniment of the wonderful music of Spare Parts. On the Sunday, there will be a costumed stroll in the park and then tea and Regency-era gaming (card games, dominoes, spillikins, backgammon, etc.)
This is the sixth Assembly EAS has held, and is a rare opportunity to attend a ball and dance in the style of the early 19th century (country dances like Jane Austen used to do them!) This is not walking through modern country dances in pretty costumes (though we do like the pretty costumes!) If you want to experience Regency-era figures, Regency-era footwork, "snowball" starts and progression, ladies setting figures to tunes from the top of the set, and of course the fabulous food of the Napoleonic era (home-baked from recipes reconstructed by EAS's own researcher from early 19th-century recipe books), this is your chance! The dancing is a typical late 1810s/early 1820s mix of country dances, quadrilles, waltzes, and Scotch reels, and this year will feature the original 1820 version of the Caledonian Quadrilles. Those who attend the afternoon workshop will also have the chance to dance the Country Bumpkin, a reel for nine people and one hat. There will also be a performance of The Royal Scotch Quadrilles (including the infamous star figure) by those who already know the dance.
For those who attended the June ball at the 92nd Street Y, this is the same sort of thing, but rather more intense. It remains beginner-friendly; you can learn what you need to know to get through the evening at the afternoon dance workshop, the dances are explained and walked through in the evening (a modern compromise), and while we love people who show up in historical costume, it's by no means a requirement.
Full information on the Assembly weekend may be found on the EAS website. I hope to see some of you there!
Comments