English Country Dancers bring lively spirit, simple footwork to Kanata
Posted Feb 5, 2010 By Sarah Kelford
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EMC News - Watching Victorian-era movies like Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility it is hard not to get caught up in the moments of dance and performance at the portrayed social gatherings.
Sarah Kelford, Kanata EMC
The Ottawa English Country Dance club spends Friday evenings at the Mlacak Centre in Kanata where they enjoy building their dancing skills and friendships. Every month the club enjoys live music from bands, including the Playford Players, who were present on Friday, Jan. 22 to help members get in the mood.
Residents of Ottawa have an opportunity to learn these dances with the Ottawa English Country Dance Club.
"The tunes are absolutely gorgeous," Mary Williams describes of the many things she enjoys about dancing. "You feel yourself flowing with this kind of music and you don't have to worry too much about fancy footwork."
Williams said that the club encourages anyone who is interested to try, no experience is necessary.
"We encourage young and old, as long as you want to be there, want to listen and want to improve," Williams noted.
A big draw for many dancers is that with English Country Dance partners are not needed.
"One of the reasons I joined was because you don't need a partner," said Vivienne Chenier, who has been dancing for over two years. "You have to know your left foot from your right foot. That's about it!"
Bob Cook, who started dancing because he is a historical reenactor, said that many of the dancers are history buffs.
Once a month the dancers are treated to live music by the Playford Players, a local group of musicians who play time pieces. Some of these dances include the Queen's Jig, Chestnut, Long Odds, Chocolate Round O, Winter Dreams, 1st of October and Dublin Bay.
Williams noted that new members don't need to be nervous because every dance is lead by a caller, who has studied the dance and will make suggestions to help dancers learn the moves.
"It's good physical exercise, it's social exercise," said English Country Dance "guru" Irfona Larkin, who started dancing while at school in Wales. "There is not many opportunities in day to day life to take hands with people and look at them in the eyes. It's a wonderful social activity."
There are currently at least 40 members of the Ottawa English Country Dance Club. The dancers come from all over the Ottawa region.
Members of the club dance every Friday night at the Mlacak Centre from 7:30 until 10 p.m.
For more information about the club, visit www.ottawaenglishdance.org.
