What is English Country Dance?

English Country Dance is the dance form that was popular in England and America in the 1600’s, 1700’s and early 1800’s. It is one of the dance forms from which modern contra and square dance are descended. If you’ve seen any of the recent Jane Austen movies then you’ve seen this sort of dance. We also do some early American dances from the Colonial and Revolutionary War eras. Follow this link for more information.

12:30-1:30p  Favorite Dances of Folklore Village

• Leader: Martha Tyner
• Band: Rare Privilege
  A variety of dances done at festivals at Folklore Village in Wisconsin

1:45-3:15p Selections from a Caller’s In-Basket

• Leader: Nikki Herbst
• Band: Rare Privilege
  From new compositions to newly reconstructed dances written centuries ago, in this workshop we will learn a variety of dances that show the tremendous breadth of style, shape, and feel of English Country Dance.

3:30-4:30p Early American Dances

• Leader: Jonathan Sivier
• Band: The Flatland Consort
  American dances from the 18th and 19th centuries

Band: Rare Privilage (Wisconsin)

Leader: Nikki Herbst (Iowa City, IA)

Band: Rare Privilege (Wisconsin)

Leader: Nikki Herbst (Iowa City, IA)

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with a little old-timey village klezmer music at the historic Rose Bowl Tavern in downtown Urbana! Plenty of space on the dance floor, great drink selection, and free popcorn. Music lovers under age 21 welcome with their responsible adult.

$5.00 cover (kids under 12 free)
106 N. Race St., right across the street from the Courier Cafe.

The Central Illinois English Country Dancers

Invite You To An

English Country Dance

Playford Ball

The Central Illinois English Country Dancers will be holding their twenty-fourth annual Playford Ball on Sunday, June 9, 2019. The dance will be held at the Phillips Recreation Center, 505 West Stoughton, Urbana, IL. The Ball will run from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. There is a $7.00 suggested donation to help cover the cost of the Ball. Bring a snack or dessert to share at the break and get $1 off the admission price. Fans and finery are encouraged. All lovers of English Country dance and music are welcome.

• Dances Led By: Susan Burt, Jon Hanson, Scott Meyer, Jonathan Sivier
• Music Provided By: The Flatland Consort
• Doors Open: 1:30 p.m.
• Playford Ball: 2:00 to 5:30 p.m.
• Date: Sunday, June 9, 2019
• Location: Phillips Recreation Center, 505 West Stoughton, Urbana, IL
• Suggested Donation: $7.00 ($6.00 with a dessert to share)

There will be refreshments at the break, so bring some snacks to share.

The Central Illinois English Country Dancers will be holding a dance with live music provided by local musicians. Dancers of all ages are welcome. All dances will be taught. Partners, costumes and experience are not required, however we ask that soft-soled, non-marking, non-street shoes be worn so as not to damage the dance floor.

Dennis Stroughmatt and Friends

Dear friends and music lovers,

I’ll be playing Cajun music & more with my musical compadre Dennis Stroughmatt, this Saturday Sept. 21.  This will be an early show at the Iron Post, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. This will be a “full band” gig at the Iron Post, so come on out for two sets of Cajun, Creole, Zydeco, blues, trad country and more. I’ve played a good handful of gigs with Dennis in recent months, and all of them have been a lot of fun.

If you’ve never seen and heard Dennis before, then you’re in for a treat.  Besides being a terrific fiddle player (and solid on accordion as well), Dennis has a really strong singing voice. His knowledge of music is deep, and he usually hits on a fair number of music genres during each show (Cajun, Creole, blues, etc.).  Come out if you can and I hope to see some of you there.

Thanks,
Rob

Dancing in the Garden
We will be meeting at the Mabery Gelvin Botanical Garden by the Museum of the Grand Prairie in Mahomet.
Free!
In case of rain or excessive heat we will dance in the education center in the museum.

Veretski Pass is one of the most highly regarded bands playing in today’s klezmer scene, offering a unique and exciting combination of virtuosic musicianship and raw energy that has excited concertgoers across the world. The trio plays Old Country Music that is a true collage of Carpathian, Jewish, Rumanian, and Ottoman styles seamlessly integrated with original compositions. The full itinerary for their residency in C-U through October 28 can be found at https://tinyurl.com/veretskipass.

An extra dance with music by special guest band Olde Music