English country dancing
Phoenix English Country Dancers meet 9:00 - 11:00 am the 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings of each month either in the Great Hall on the campus of the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library,
1106 N. Central Ave., 85004, or hesleyhouse, a private studio in North Central Phoenix (contact Peg for address).
$10 a session
Fall 2024 Schedule:
September 14 ICC, 28 ICC
October 12 ICC, 26 HH
November 9 HH, 23 ICC
December 14 ICC, 28 ICC
Winter 2025 Schedule
January
February
March 9
Spring 2025 Schedule
April
May
June
Summer 2025 Schedule
July
NOTE: Phoenix English dance events are sponsored by Phoenix Traditional Music and Dance, a 501c3 non-profit organization that receives support from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Phoenix English Country Dancers is an affiliate of the Country Dance and Song Society and the Irish Cultural Center and McClelland Library.
Take a break from the hectic, chaotic frenzy of everyday life to have fun, socialize, and exercise to beautiful music. Take advantage of the opportunity to explore the figures, styling and floor patterns of historical and contemporary ECD.
If you’ve never heard of English country dancing, you're in good company. But if you've watched Pride and Prejudice on TV, or Sense and Sensibility or Emma at the movies, you have indeed seen it. But fear not - English Country Dancing (ECD) is not the obscure relic you might think it to be! While this traditional form of dance has been around for several hundred years, it's still thriving today. English country dancing is enjoyed all over the United States, and indeed, the world.
Why Do People Love ECD?
For many, it's the music - hauntingly beautiful tunes that make the heart swell. Some dance tunes are taken from old ballads and political satire; others come from classical music and operas. This gives ECD music tremendous variety; sometimes sweet and melodic, sometimes melancholy, and sometimes absolutely driven with a pulsating beat. Others love ECD for the grace and elegance with which you glide as you dance. At times, you simply get swept away as you become one with the music. Many people love the beautiful patterns that you create as you dance. Through it all, there's an indefinable quality to ECD that makes it energizing, mesmerizing, and just plain fun. We dance in the style of English country dancing although many of the contemporary music and dances are written by Americans.
ECD Is Not Hard to Learn
If you can walk and know the difference between your left and right hands, you already have the basic knowledge you'll need. As we do it in the United States, most of the movements are based on a walking step. There is no intricate footwork. Dancers move in a number of specific "figures,” sometimes holding hands, sometimes by themselves. Each dance is prompted by a caller, so that each figure and movement is called in time to the music; you don't need to rely on your memory alone to know what to do.
New Dancers Are Welcome and Encouraged at all Dances
Partners are not necessary; you can come by yourself and be assured of dancing because the tradition is to change partners for each dance. Dances are social and friendly, and the atmosphere is informal. No special clothing is needed, other than clean, soft-soled shoes or sneakers.
This description was modified by Peg Hesley after Alan Winston from text written by Linda Repasky, who dances in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Confirm the dates for ECD in Phoenix at the Phoenix Traditional Music and Dance website, www.phxtmd.org
