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English
Country Dances |
These are normally danced in a set formation, whether it be longways, square, or circular, for 2,3,4, or more couples, in mostly reel, jig, or hornpipe time. This is very much a social dance format, as danced at many Barn Dances and other social occasions throughout the UK. However some dances are more complicated and are often looked upon as Display Dances. We in Young Miscellany try to pick dances that are both enjoyable to dance, and that give variety in movement so that they are interesting for the public to watch. This style of dance is an ongoing tradition, and new dances are being devised all the time to enable us to keep the tradition alive. Some of
our dances date back to the 1600's. These are normally classed as Playford
Dances, ie:- dances that were learn't during that period, with the costumes
of that era, and danced in a more elegant style than our modern dances.
They are called "Playford" dances because they were largely
collected and published by John Playford between 1651 and 1728. However
modern dances are still being written in this style. |