English Country Dance

 Join us on Monday, June 2^nd at 7:30pm at the Watchung Arts Center for an English Country Dance featuring live music arranged by Kris Lamb.

If you've watched Pride and Prejudice on TV, or seen the movies Sense and Sensibility or Emma, you have indeed seen it.  While people have done this form of set dancing since the early 1600s, it's still thriving and developing today. The music is taken from ballads and classical music of the time. The dancing is “called”, meaning that the dancers are taught the figures prior to each dance, and then the caller will prompt the dancers until they know the figures.  The different dances are paired with specific music and are often the same as those used in past centuries.

The old saying goes “if you can walk, you can dance”.  Partners are not necessary.  The dances are social events and the atmosphere is informal.  Soft sole shoes requested.

The nonprofit Watchung Arts Center is located “on the circle” in Watchung, easily reached from Route 22 (Plainfield overpass) or Interstate 78 (exit 40).  There is ample free parking adjacent to the building, or around the corner at Best Lake.