The various dances allow for talking and partner changes ensure everyone is part of the conversation. Here, Hank Kulbsza, of Milwaukee, takes the hand of Fiona Fimmel of Oak Park. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Leather-soled shoes are not necessary but make it easier for dancers to glide into formation on the wood floor of the 19th Century Charitable Association’s ballroom. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Mary Jo Kapsalis arrived a recent gathering wearing a flowing Italian Renaissance dress. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
The monthly gatherings attract anywhere from 25 to 40 dancers. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
English country dancing is a concert of social graces that include eye contact, bowing and a dance-ending curtsey. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Tammy Bretscher glides and reaches for a partner with a “cross over” move during one dance. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
After starting in rows where partners face one another, couples come together to form a circle. In this circle, from left, is Elizabeth Keppel, Luke Bretscher, Mady Newfield and Charles Coulon. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
When she is not dancing, Tammy Bretscher is a caller providing instruction as well as signaling pace of temp to the musicians. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
At this gather, the “Old Fezziwg’s Band” provided the music, including Dan Van Loon, left, Tim Macdonald and Lori Davis. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Dan Van Loon plays flute, recorder and whistle for the “Old Fezziwig’s Band.” (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Claire Good of Oak Park holds up her part of a circle. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
Fiona Fimmel of Oak Park strikes a Jane Austen-like silhouette in a simple country dress. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
English country dancing is social and quite modest yet energy and eye contact can speak volumes to a partner. Here, Charles Coulon enjoys mid-dance conversation with Fiona Fimmel. (David Pierini/staff photographer)
There are duple dances, the “Mad Robin,” a “Figure of 8” and the “Straight Hey for Three.”
But when Randi Woodworth first describes English country dancing, she explains the intricate patterns and social interactions only after she has caught peoples’ attention with this:
“One thing I love about it is it’s the opposite of road rage,” said Woodworth, who began monthly gatherings of English country dancers three years ago at the 19th Century Charitable Association in Oak Park. “You are connecting with people in a friendly and benevolent way. It’s a very civilizing thing, so refreshing for the soul.”
With dances that range from the 17th century to the present, the Oak Park group draws an average of 40 dancers of all ages from around the state on the third Monday of the month. It is one of three groups in the Chicago area and many of the dancers who meet in Oak Park began with a group at the Fermi Lab in Batavia.
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