THIS WEEKEND - - A MCKINNEY REVIVAL a la JANE AUSTIN

A Guest Blog by Nancy Chamberlain-Strupp

  “Regency Dance” refers to a number of historical dances performed during a period from 1790 to 1825. However, the actual “English Regency” only lasted from 1811 to 1820 when England was ruled by Prince Regent George. In its many dance forms, Regency Dance was portrayed in the famous literary works of Jane Austin.  She often wrote of English balls where beautifully dressed guests danced till dawn to lively stringed music. Jane Austin novels are generally the modern source for today’s portrayal of this type of dance. 

Though modern films often show the dances performed at balls by couples formally embracing and moving together in a stately, smooth style, Regency dance was originally performed in an informal, lively, and bouncy manner. It was a type of country dance performed by sets of people or groups of couples.  For example, the pre-1810 country-type dances consisted of the Scottish Reel and the French Cotillion.

It was not till 1810, that the English Regency Dance began to transition from its predominant lively group dance form to a more formal dance form. English society was introduced to the “scandalous” waltz that originated from Central Europe.  This new dance was shocking to the English since it called for a couple to dance together in a connected, framed, close embrace. Though the waltz was originally considered obscene, by the end of the 19^th century the waltz was deemed socially acceptable by English society.

Though Regency Dance, in all forms, is a source of great entertainment, it has also played a great role in English Regency Era society, acting as an essential part of proper English culture. It helped accomplish acceptable social order, courtship, and class identification. Balls and assembly rooms, where Regency Dance was performed, served as primary venues for young upper and middle class ladies and gentlemen, to meet, to converse, and to demonstrate their social status, breeding, etiquette, and eligibility. Strict societal rules had to be performed at these formal dance events and all who attended had to adhere accordingly. These rules covered who a lady or gentleman could, or could not, dance with and how an invitation to dance could be, or could not be, accepted or refused. 

Masquerade Ball - Regency Style

By the late 1810's, dance masters of the time invented new variations of Regency Dance. And by the 20^th century, via Englishman Cecil Sharp, Regency Dance was revived.  Today, around the world there are many Regency Dance groups that enjoy performing many of its original dances. The North Texas Traditional Dance Society is one of the groups that is reviving this beautiful dance style and the McKinney Repertory Theater organization and the Heard-Craig Art Museum organization are pleased to collaborate in this local historical dance revival. Tickets for the November 7th McKinney Harvest Ball Masquerade dance (7:00 – 10:30 PM) are available at the door of GATHER ON THE SQUARE for $29 per person. 

Event Information: An event hosted by the McKinney Repertory Theatre and the Heard-Craig Center for the Arts, the Regency Harvest Ball will highlight the talents of the band, MAD ROBIN as they play regency era music inside GATHER ON THE SQUARE, a beautifully large venue in downtown McKinney.

INVITEES: The Public. (All are welcome – tickets are available at the door. Cash Bar)

WHERE: 207 E. Virginia Street, McKinney at the venue: GATHER on the Square

TIMES: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 PM Pre-Ball Cocktail Hour.  7:00 – 10:30 PM the Harvest Ball Dance

PRICES: $35/person for cocktail hour and $29/person for Harvest Ball Dance.

TICKETS: Can be purchased through Eventbrite (www.eventbrite/com) or through the Heard-Craig website at:  www.heardcraig.org (under the Events tab).