FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(a Ball primer for the Playford-to-the-Present Ball)

 

 

 

WHAT DOES “PLAYFORD” MEAN?

John Playford was the publisher of The English Dancing Master, or Plaine and easie Rules for the Dancing of Country Dances, with the Tune to Each Dance , considered the first English Country Dance manual published. 

 

In modern ECD (English Country Dance) parlance, a “Playford” ball is one in which there is no basic teaching at the ball itself, and the dancers can enjoy the dancing with no teaching and very little prompting.   

 

HOW IS THIS BALL DIFFERENT FROM A REGULAR LOCAL DANCE?

At an ongoing dance series (sometimes referred to as a class), time is taken to explain and teach each dance figure and pattern.  At the Playford-to-the Present ball, there will be no teaching; each dance will have one walk-though and be prompted for the first few repetitions.  It is assumed that all dancers are either familiar with these particular dances or are experienced enough to pick up dances on just one walk through. 

 

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO ATTEND?

Dancers attending the ball should be familiar with standard ECD moves such as hey, rights and lefts, siding, poussette, cast and lead, gate, double-figure-eight, etc. and be able to do them without explanation when prompted.  Some people will catch on right away, for others it will take longer.  Regular and frequent attendance at dances is the best way to reach that level of confidence with the dancing.

 

HOW CAN I LEARN THESE DANCES?

One way is to attend the Ball Practice and Style Workshops that are put on shortly before the ball. One does not need to be registered for the ball to attend the practices.  For details, visit http://www.caldancecoop.org/playford

 

Written instructions for the dances will be available from local dance leaders, and to ball registrants.  Registrants will also receive a CD of the dance tunes.  In addition to the official scheduled practices listed above, dancers are encouraged to use the instructions and music to learn the dances on their own.  Be creative! Load the tunes onto your ipod and go through the steps by yourself in your living room or backyard.  Or get a set of friends together and have an informal dance party.

 

Many local dances will have special practices or sessions dedicated to the Ball dances.  Talk to your local dance leader to find out if that will happen in your community.  To find out about dancing in your area, visit www.caldancecoop.org/playford.

 

 

WHAT WILL PEOPLE BE WEARING?

Ball attire is “Festive/Formal,” and is not period-specific (the dances we do span many eras and clothing styles). Guests will be dressed in everything from Medieval to Regency, Victorian to Jazz Age, and many (possibly even most) will be in modern formals.  The degree of elaborateness of the clothing will also vary considerably, some guests will have very ornate costumes, others will be dressed very simply.  Most will be dressed elegant/formal, some will be in fanciful costumes.  Wear whichever you most enjoy dancing in. 

 

WHERE CAN I FIND AN OUTFIT?

Modern formal wear as well as festive attire can usually be found inexpensively in second-hand and vintage clothing stores.  Discount clothing outlets such as Ross or Loemann’ are also good sources.  Sometimes even major department stores can have great sales on formals.

 

For period attire, an ability to sew comes in handy.  There are readily available Simplicity patterns for costumes of many eras, and a search on Google using keywords like “vintage” “sewing” “patterns” will bring up many resources.  Second-hand and costume rental stores are another option.

 

One of the best ways to find an outfit, is to ask your fellow dancers where  they bought, borrowed, or found patterns for their ball attire.

 

WHAT KIND OF SHOES SHOULD I WEAR?

Be kind to your feet.  Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to move around in.  Low-heeled, soft-soled shoes are recommended.  Make sure you’ve worn the shoes dancing before, so you don’t have aching, pinched, or blistered feet the night of the ball.

 

HOW DO I FIND A PARTNER AT THE BALL?

Anyone can ask anyone to dance -- male or female, veteran ball-goer or first-time attendee.  If you have come without a partner, don’t be afraid to ask people to dance. If you have come with an escort, we encourage you to meet and dance with other people as well as the person you came with.  That’s part of the fun of the community.

 

A bit of advice: dancers join the set at the bottom of the line as it forms.  Therefore, if you are looking for a partner, the best place to find to find one is usually at the bottom of the hall, where other single dancers will be on the lookout for partners.  If you stay seated, chances are that other dancers will assume you are choosing to sit out, and therefore might not  ask you to dance.

 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CAN’T FIND PARTNERS?

Balls are large, exciting, and somewhat chaotic events.  Dancers from all over the region (and sometimes the country) will attend.  Friends who only see each other once a year will be renewing acquaintances, and sometimes new dancers can feel lost in the shuffle.  Dancers who find it hard to get partners are encouraged to ask any of the ball hosts, callers, or local dance leaders for help finding partners.  Don’t worry that dancers are willfully ignoring you; it is simply that there is so much going on that wallflowers are not as noticeable as they are in a smaller crowd.

 

WILL THERE BE A DANCE CARD?

No, we do not use dance cards.  We encourage dancers not to book ahead, opening up more opportunities for dancing with new friends.