English Country

Elegant English Country dance grew in popularity in Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 1500’s.  The films Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility or Emma show this form of dance. English Country dancing came to North America with the colonists and was popular through the early 1800s. While Americans eagerly awaited new dance books from England, they also wrote their own dances and published their own dance books.  At HVCD English Country dances, live music may be from ballads, classical music or operas dating back 500 years. Prompted by a caller, the dancers move in "figures", holding hands or by themselves.  Dances are characterized by grace and elegance, eye contact, and the gliding steps of a bygone era.