A wonderful opportunity to feel yourself jumping on a time machine and going back many years to dance English country dances. Photo: @Jane Austen CZ
English country dances are social dances of the British Isles which began to influence the country in the 15th century, becoming popular at the royal court of Queen Elizabeth I of England.
In this dance couples are dancing together in a figure or set, which means that each couple changes partners with another couple.
You will have the opportunity to learn the dance that influenced Europe, the classical music-based contra dance and Latin America’s contradanza, on November 4, at Sýpka, Kytnerova 1, Brno.
From 10 – 16:30 there will be an English Country Dance workshop led by an experienced tutor, who will explains everything in Czech and English.
You don’t have to worry if you are a very bad dancer or you never danced before.
The dances are not very difficult and also there are big number of participants who attend regularly this event and will to help the newcomers.
If you are already a pro in country dance, you can join only the Regency Ball which will be held on two hours later, from 19:30 until the midnight.
“I decided to organize an English country dance workshop and ball after having watched Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma many times and I wasn’t satisfied with only watching the people in the films dance. I wanted to learn how to dance too and enjoy it myself. And soon I found out that there are a lot of people who like Jane Austen, the films, the Regency period and the opportunity to dress in historical costumes and enjoy a gallant society. And thus the Jane Austen Society in the Czech Republic was born,” Katka Banova, organizer of the event, smiles.
The dance workshops have been organized since 2011 and every year, three to five events are hold.
There is a special event in May, which includes a dance workshop, a picnic, a concert and a ball!
Imagine sitting on the grass in a beautiful dress with a puppy eating fruit from your basket in a beautiful empire-style dress!
You can see how it looks!
It’s been attended by people from all over the Czech Republic and even from neighboring to it countries.
“Events like this take place in many countries of the world and so this way we’re part of one big ‘Jane Austen family’ and any enthusiast is welcome no matter where they come from,” Katka adds.
It is not necessary to wear historical clothes even though the feeling dancing in a dress from 19th century might be magical.
Unfortunately the National Theatre is under renovation at the moment and their rental wardrobe is closed, so if people don’t have their own dresses it’s very difficult to find some.
The price only for the workshop is 350 CZK and the price for the whole-day program is 550 CZK.
It covers the tutor, the hall rental, PA and musical accompaniment at the ball.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day and evening.
Hot lunch can be arranged as well.
For those who are not attending the workshop, tickets will be on sale for CZK 250 CZK in advance via this form, or at the door for 300 CZK.
Find more information about the event and previous events here.
If you want you can take a glance to the video from previous event:
