A trip back in time: Experience the Jane Austen era at upcoming ball

It doesn’t matter if you have two left feet or don’t know the dances, because everyone is welcome to attend the upcoming Jane Austen Ball in Dayboro this month.

Hosted by the Samford Community Folk Dance Club, the ball will be held on Saturday, October 8 at the Dayboro Community Hall.

The ball is part of a Regency Dance Weekend, which also includes two dance workshops that celebrates Australia’s cultural heritage.

Historian Dr Heather Clarke is urging members of the community to come along for a night of fun.

“The dances are mostly dances from the Jane Austen period, and some also come from the Jane Austen movies, so they aren’t authentic period pieces, but rather invented for the movie,” Heather said.

“We will start with one of the dances from the movie, which is called The Ship’s Cook, which is a dance that is done with everyone in a big circle.

“The variety of dances are based around group, almost like team dancing.

“You will have a partner on the night, but you don’t necessarily stay with them because you will change partners throughout the night.

“Everyone mixes with everyone, so if you are coming alone, you don’t have to worry about not being matched up with someone.”

If you are worried you have two left feet, don’t be, because you will also be taught the dances.

“We start off by arranging people and explaining how the dance works,” Heather said.

“We walk them through the dance pattern a few times, and once people have learnt it, we dance it to music.

“We will have a live band called Philip’s Dog, who are the only ensemble in the world specializing in early Australian colonial dance music.”

Doors open at 6pm where a light supper will be served until 7pm. Dancing will be held from 7-10.30pm

Tickets to the ball are $55 per person and can be purchased here and also on Eventbrite. 

People are encouraged to get dressed up in Jane Austen era costumes, but not a requirement.

Put your best foot forward at these workshops

Heather will also help lead two dance workshops over the course of the weekend.

The first workshop will be held on Saturday, October 8 from 1.30-3pm. The Scottish Romance workshop will feature dances from 1822.

The second workshop, which will include a collection of English country dances, will be held on Sunday, October 9 from 10.30am-noon.

The weekend will conclude with an informal BYO picnic.

For more information, click here.