Jane Austen Ball returns to Wooster

The upcoming Jane Austen Ball is the perfect evening for anyone who's into 18th-century English dance parties or an active evening. The event will take place from 7-10 p.m. March 28 (doors open at 6 p.m.) at Wayne Center for the Arts, 237 S. Walnut St., Wooster. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students (suggested age is 8 and above).

The Wooster Jane Austen Ball was started in 2017 by Wooster Dance. Dance leader Susan English will teach and call dances at the ball.

"You can find Jane Austen Balls on several continents, some sponsored by the Jane Austen Society and others sponsored by dance groups like ours," English said. "The Wooster Jane Austen Ball is special because it includes a variety of dances that were actually done in the time of Jane Austen, including some of her favorites."

English explained the connection between Jane Austen and the balls.

"Jane Austen often attended English country dances and used them as the backdrop in a number of her novels," she said. "Her characters often make and break relationships at dances, or they hear gossip that guides them in finding a life partner."

The public event does not require any special dance training or knowledge.

"You must be able to walk briskly and follow directions," English said.

It isn't necessary to attend with a partner. Partners change during the evening, and everyone is encouraged to dance with people they don't know.

What kind of dancing does one do at a Jane Austen Ball?

"This is set dancing, such as you may have seen in a Jane Austen film," English said. "Everyone has a partner, but we change partners every dance. We use hand contact and eye contact to keep together and enjoy the dancing."

English said beginners are welcome and should attend the instruction that begins at 6:30 p.m. During the ball she suggests beginners ask experienced dancers to partner with them.

Tickets for the ball may be purchased in advance online at www.tickettailor.com/events/woosterdance1/1975033. The ball is limited to 100 dancers. Walk-in tickets will be available for cash at the door if space is available. For more information visit www.woosterdance.com or call 330-347-8155.

There will be light refreshments and water available and live music provided by Fourpence. The performing group includes professional musicians Mike Deyo (band leader) on violin, Stephanie Musselman on keyboard, Cid Cayhoe on pennywhistle and Linda Hershberger-Kirk on cello.

“One of the most wonderful things about the ball is dancing to live music,” English said. “The dance music published in the 1700s offers only a simple melody line for each dance. As band leader, Mike Deyo turns this melody into an arrangement for four instruments.”

Dances will be from Jane Austen’s lifetime (1775-1817). This includes longways sets plus other formations including triplets (three-couple sets), circles and squares. New partners are chosen for each dance, and each couple “progresses” so that during the dance, they dance with everyone in the formation.

The dances are called by English, which means she teaches the figures for each dance and demonstrates how the figures go with the music. When the music starts, she “calls” out the figures in time to the music until everyone knows the dance.

Period costumes or comfortable, dressy attire are encouraged.

"The costume can be from 18th-century England," English said, "or any kind of costume you want."

Women can make a costume by taking an old dress and tying a ribbon to create an empire waistline. Men can make a cravat from a plain scarf. For those without a costume, English suggests women wear a favorite dress or long skirt and put flowers or feathers in their hair. Men can wear dressy pants and a shirt, adding a vest and perhaps a cravat.

All dancers are asked to carry in clean shoes for dancing that slide but don’t slip. Leather soles work best.

English said those who enjoy traditional dances also will enjoy the monthly square and contra dances at Valley College Grange in Wooster. Visit www.woosterdance.com or call 330-347-8155.

“Contra dances and square dances are the energetic descendants of English country dance,” she said.

This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.

“Besides her novels being widely read, many people have seen films and TV specials based on novels such as 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Sanditon,'” English said. “Jane Austen represents another time and place and provides an escape from the pressures of our daily lives. The ball is a celebration of an art and activity that goes back several hundred years. It gives us a sense of where we come from and gives us the opportunity to pass it on to the next generation.”