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Recent History of the Charlottesville English Dance
Brad Sayler managed the dance series from 1993 through the 2007 spring season. He then stepped down
and handed the reins to the current committee.
Callers in recent years have included Brad Sayler, Jim Morrison, Nick Kuhn, Katie Kellett, John Wheeler, Ron Lehmkuhl,
Dale Mantautas, Pat Ruggiero, and Howard Markham. Musicians have included Dave Wiesler, Jim Morrison, Mike Dunn, Janet Muse,
Rya Martin, Lynn Mackey, Jennifer Myer, Nick and Beth Kuhn, Connie Muscenti, Colin Ramirez, Robert LaRue, Howard Markham,
Jim Harrington, Laura Light, George Paul, and occasional others.
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English Country Dancing
Brief History
First collection of English Country Dances published
by John Playford in London in 1651. (Some of same figures
described in Italian dance manuals from late 1500s.) Dances were done primarily by gentry and at court; dancing taught to
children and youth as part of well rounded education. Remained popular through early 19th century in England, Scotland, and America. Waltz, mazurka, polka,
and other couple dances of the ballroom largely displaced country dancing in 19th century. Survived in simplified
form in villages. Cecil Sharp collected surviving dances in early 20th century, then through research as a folklorist
discovered and revived earlier dances from Playford and successors. Modern era dates from Sharp’s reconstructions. Keeper
of Sharp’s legacy in U.S. is Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) in Amherst, Massachusetts. New dances continue to be written in the style of the earlier dances.
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Dance Committee
The dance series is currently managed by a committee of four dancers:
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