Asheville English Country Dance
A great dance tradition!
English Country Dance is the forerunner of Contra Dance. Country dances were danced out in the countryside of England as far back as 1500's. The general formation is two lines facing each other. There is a leader who walks the dancers through the figures of a particular dance, and then the music begins, and the dancers dance to the prompts of the leader.
The dances moved across to France whose dancers called it "contredanse." The settlers brought English Country Dance to America. The dance figures soon began to evolve with new twists and thus began to be called Contra Dance, from "contredanse."
Although English Country Dance still remained its own style, and still does today. Each dance has a tune that is played for just that particular dance. The name of the dance and the name of the tune are the same. It's designed to go perfectly with dance figures and musical phrases.
Examples of English Country Dance may be seen in film adaptations of Jane Austen novels, such as Pride and Prejudice
Introductory ECD Video
Check out the music, dance style and dancers joy experienced at our Sunday dance.
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We are Asheville English Country Dance located in Asheville, North Carolina. We host regularly scheduled dances throughout the year and a MidWinter Dance Weekend with national talent. Dances feature live music and a caller-leader.
If you would like to know more about what this dancing is about and be notified about the dates, times and locations of upcoming dances, we welcome you to add your name and email address below and you will be put on our mailing list.
COVID-19 public health advisories are currently still limiting meeting face-to-face in some venues. For the well-being of attendees, we require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination at each event.
Looking forward to hearing from you and meeting on the dance floor!
