Bicentennial Event in our village

[Elidh]

The Ohio village I live in (population just under 3000) will be celebrating its bicentennial in August 2014.  I am on the bicentennial steering committee, and we are brainstorming ideas for the event (which will probably span 4 days or so).  Because our bicentennial overlaps the Civil War sesquicentennial, my thoughts go to some type of Civil War era activity.  Just looking for an excuse to sew a new gown , but I digress...

I have thought of a tea, a fashion show (maybe spanning 1814-2014), but how about some kind of a Civil War era informal country dance?  For you dancers out there (and I know you're out there  ) can one hold a dance with hired caller/band where the dancers (who are for the most part novice dancers) can be instructed on simple dances (during the dance)?   

Any ideas? I wasn't sure where best to post this topic!!

Thanks in advance!

[anne foster]

Since our area has a limited group of civil war reenactors, but a lot of folks willing to wear converted 1980s prom dresses and dance, I've been to several mid-century country dances with callers.  In one event, the caller holds a pre-dance afternoon workshop to go over some of the basics and patterns.  In the other, the caller teaches the dances briefly on the floor in contra dance fashion.  In both, the dance master calls the dances until the dancers get the hang of it.  Most of the dances are Virginia reel style dances, some in lines, some in a giant circle, and a few more like simple quadrilles.  There's usually one or two waltzes and a polka (modern style waltz, though to period appropriate music) for the couples in the group.  I miss some of the other couple dances, like schottische and gallop, which I think could be taught fairly briefly--at least the basics.  It's not perfect but it is a way to share our passion, maybe find a few converts, and raise some funds for historic preservation efforts.

Anne Foster

[Elidh]

Thanks, Anne.  I am sure, if we could get folks to dress up, there would be a good representation of farbiness (oh well.....).  If anyone knows of a caller/teacher for country dances in the Ohio region, I'd love to hear about him/her!!

[Maggie Koenig]

Roxanne,
   I used to attend an event in Wisconsin that was put on every year to raise funds for the local GAR Hall.  The town really went all out for the event and always made the reenactors that came feel more than welcome.  They did hold and dance for which it seemed like the entire town turned out.  What the event committee did about 6 months before the event was put out a newsletter or event info (I think they even did workshops one year) that included info on period dress.  In your case you could include info on fashions from when the town was founded to modern times.  That will give people a variety of options and give them some base info what they can do to get more into it and choose styles more appropriate to their taste.  It also will help avoid having nothing but bad redone prom dresses.   

[Maggie Koenig]

I forgot to mention that you could work with the local library to have a special display on period costumes, historical fashion and history in general to encourage people to do some research.

[Elidh]

Thanks Maggie!   At the bicentennial steering committee meeting last night the members thought a dance sounded great, so keep those ideas/comments coming, folks!