General Dance Information
The dancing for this ball will be in the style of the original Centennial Balls of 1876: a typical late-nineteenth century mix of country dances, quadrilles (square dances), and couple* dances such as waltz, polka, and schottische. The specific program will be published here closer to the ball. The quadrilles and country dances of the 1870s are based on walking steps; you do not need any advanced dance technique or fancy steps for them.
* Note: couples are two people of any gender dancing together. Everyone is welcome, and welcome to dance together, at our ball! Bringing your own partner is not required. People generally expect to dance with many different people over the course of the evening.
All dances except waltz will be taught at the ball, along with at the afternoon pre-ball workshop and the extra prep class the weekend before (scroll down for time/place). No previous experience is needed. Beginners are welcome! We will also have a small gaming parlor for those who would like to take a break from dancing to play whist or work on a puzzle.
Music for the ball will be provided by the experienced dance trio Spare Parts: Liz Stell on flute, Bill Matthiesen on keybord, and Eric Buddington on violin. The dancing will be directed by professional caller and dance historian Susan de Guardiola. Everyone attending will receive a beautiful souvenir dance card with a dance pencil to record your partners with!
While learning the dances in advance is not required to attend the ball, and we will teach everything except waltz during the ball, the dancing goes more smoothly and pleasantly when as many people as possible are already familiar with the dances. Especially if you are new to this sort of dancing, having some advance preparation will also help you feel more confident and relaxed at the ball and with the other attendees and thus have more fun!
It you plan to take part in the dancing, we strongly recommend attending the afternoon workshop the day of the ball (at the same location and included in the ball price) and/or (if local to Connecticut) the pre-ball prep class on July 19th.
Afternoon Workshop (included with ball ticket)
Saturday, July 25th (ball day!) 2:00-4:00pm at the ball site
Extra Ball Prep Class (not included in ball ticket)
Sunday, July 19th, 2:00-4:00pm
Vinnie’s Jump & Jive, 635 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
$15.00 in advance, or $18 per class in cash at the door.
Class tickets may be purchased individually on the Tickets page.
One may also just show up at the door without prior registration and pay cash.
(Facebook event for class)