I keep coming back to this video for three reasons: I love the tune; the older gent who seems to be directing things reminds me very much of a dear friend (gone these 45 years but still with me in spirit); and I'm much amused by how the older gent gently drags some of the more reluctant boys through the dance.
That's because it's literally a *country* dance, enjoyed by village folk for some two centuries before John Playford wrote his numerous books that spread the 'contredanses anglaises' across Europe. The contra dances are very much a live tradition, possible to be performed on various steps, from simple walking to skip change (that you called 'running'), to waltz steps, to the 'graceful gliding' a-la Baroque. There are many of them for all tastes and the enjoyment of the dance is paramount! =)
Muck006 We learned it this fast too, and the instructor made it clear that it was this fast because it was a dance enjoyed by country folk. Its rather exhilarating so fast! :D I enjoy it.
My husband and I lead a Regency dance/English country dance group in the United Kingdom. This group is doing the dance absolutely correctly. "Gracefully gliding" is a misunderstanding of the nature of the dance.
Love the background of cabins filming-wise! I have done this dance with my friend group and we love it. Thanks for the video.
I keep coming back to this video for three reasons: I love the tune; the older gent who seems to be directing things reminds me very much of a dear friend (gone these 45 years but still with me in spirit); and I'm much amused by how the older gent gently drags some of the more reluctant boys through the dance.
God, this is so beautiful!
Good job, kids!
The music seems much too fast which results in people "running" instead of "gracefully gliding".
That's because it's literally a *country* dance, enjoyed by village folk for some two centuries before John Playford wrote his numerous books that spread the 'contredanses anglaises' across Europe. The contra dances are very much a live tradition, possible to be performed on various steps, from simple walking to skip change (that you called 'running'), to waltz steps, to the 'graceful gliding' a-la Baroque. There are many of them for all tastes and the enjoyment of the dance is paramount! =)
Muck006 We learned it this fast too, and the instructor made it clear that it was this fast because it was a dance enjoyed by country folk. Its rather exhilarating so fast! :D I enjoy it.
Young people like fast dances!
My husband and I lead a Regency dance/English country dance group in the United Kingdom. This group is doing the dance absolutely correctly. "Gracefully gliding" is a misunderstanding of the nature of the dance.
"Gracefully gliding" was for the aristocracy, the common folk would have enjoyed lively dances at a faster tempo.