Once more Regency Encounters recreates the classic 1813 balls from Jane Austen’s epic Pride and Prejudice.
The date 1813 was a major crossroads in the romance between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. The great balls of the period were set up for men and women of marriageable age to meet, socialize and flirt with prospective spouses.
What was once an accepted practice is now a delightful recreational opportunity for Austen fans. Regency Encounters’ next Pride and Prejudice Ball is earmarked for Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Hotel MacDonald.
In the 19th century, clumsiness or awkwardness was considered embarrassing and often meant social disaster. Dance movements of the era mimicked the back and forth of courtship, and the ability to dance was key to romantic success.
Today lack of coordination on the dance floor is laughed off.
But for anyone in the capital region wishing to prepare for the formal autumn ball, Sabrina’s Dance Instruction offers three 90-minute lessons. Ballroom dance instructor Sabrina Thieven will teach a variety of English contra dances (country dances).
“The great thing is you don’t need experience and you don’t need a partner. These English country dances are like line dances. There are two rows of people facing each other. It can be a man or woman. You shift up and down the row and dance with the same partner. You’re just in a new position,” said Thieven.
Far from being stuffy, the dances have sparkling names such as Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot, Zephyrs and Flora, The Spaniard and Indian Queen.
The St. Albert resident has attended two Regency balls. In Thieven’s first ball, her husband escorted her. Dressed to the nines in the era’s staples, she was attired in an empire-waisted, floor-length gown paired with gloves while her husband donned a high-waisted jacket with tailcoat and breeches.
“It’s a unique experience. To be in the Hotel MacDonald feels like stepping back in the past. Your dress is from the past. Dances with live music are from the past. Card tables are set up so you can play whist and bones between dances. And there’s traditional food and beverages.”
Thieven notes that it is a good idea to rehearse the dances before attending the ball. Free video tutorials are on the internet; however, at-home practice cannot fully prepare a dancer for the more constricted clothing requiring a shift in physical movements.
“Costumes force you to sit differently. They affect movement. But you gain a whole lot of perspective in what life was like back then.”
For Thieven, the balls are a wonderful date night, either for life partners or singles enjoying a courtly dress-up night.
“It was different. It was an adventure. Since we didn’t know what to expect, it pushed our comfort zone. And it was a lot of fun. I love history. I love costumes and it was all that.”
Thieven offers lessons on three consecutive Mondays – Sept. 11, 18 and 25 – at St. Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Dr. Lessons can be booked through sabrinadance.ca or by calling 780-459-3100.
She also provides lessons in Edmonton on three consecutive Wednesdays – Sept. 13, 20 and 27 – at Sugar Swing, 10019 – 80th Ave. Registration for Sugar Swing is at prideandprejudiceball.ca.
Tickets for the three-lesson sessions are $60 per person.
