The Old Dominion Dance Performance Group at the Midlands Renaissance Faire, May 2012. This accomplished group of young people worked hard to learn complicated dances and create a period correct costume look. A great group all round!

We also got three seconds of fame on the local TV station. Watch it HERE.

Scottlyn Yards is a great venue, and I’m sure you can look to see us there again, hopefully sometime in the fall.

The Loft, looking from the top of the set. There was just enough space for roughly 80 dancers. And contrary to dire predictions the weather was wonderful.

The Costumed Clan: we try. All the “costumes” you see here are salvaged or altered from various eras or everyday dress.

The excellent Band was a blur of action.

Thanks to who came and helped out. Pat Lane for taking money; the Terneus family for bringing punch and cups, The Band, as always, and Jennifer Hamilton who called several dances.

As you may know, OldDD has been searching for a new location after our original meeting place stopped all rentals in February. We’ve finally settled on St. Peter’s Gym off of 30th and Leavenworth in downtown Omaha.

I stopped by to see the gym before the Ball on Friday. I liked it because it’s not a full-sized gym, and I was really trying to avoid renting a full sized gym just because of the acoustics. It’s also old enough that it has a wood floor, which is rare and much prized among dancers. The gym also has a stage which will be nice for the callers. The rent is also a very gracious amount and the St. Peter’s staff have been very kind.

There should be adequate parking both in the courtyard and by the outer north side of the church. I would advise arriving early on June 22nd to explore the new facility.

I’ve been unable to find any better rent-able option for OldDD at present, so for the summer of 2012 at least we’ll be meeting at St. Peter’s gym. See you there!

As you know the April dance is a formal Ball at Scottlyn Yards, a big old barn that has been fixed up to accommodate weddings and events. Scottlyn Yards has a Blair address(6817 County Road P35) and is a few miles off Blair High Road.

Scottlyn Yards can be hard to find, so look it up before you come! Coming out of Omaha on Blair High Road I turned Right at the sign “Ft. Calhoun by Country Rd” and went until I hit the T intersection. From there I turned Left, and after a few miles the barn was visible on my Left.

Dance Card for April 13^th

7pm-10pm

Scottlyn Yards

7pm

1. Lord Byron’s Maggot
2. Row Well ye Mariners
3. Liliburlero
4. Duke of Kent’s Waltz
5. Jefferson and Liberty

Polka and Waltz

8pm

1. I Care not for these Ladies
2. Juice of Barley
3. Speed the Plough
4. Braes of Dornoch
5. Duke of Perth

Polka and Waltz

9pm

1. Spanish Jigg
2. Physical Snob
3. Mr. Isaac’s Maggot
4. Jenny Pluck Pears
5. Hole in the Wall
6. Gay Gordon

Polka and Waltz

I’m very excited to introduce Jennifer Hamilton as the leader of our Advanced ECD Workshop on April 14th. Jennifer has written up a short bio to help acquaint attendees with her background.

Jennifer Hamilton is a native Iowan and a life-long dancer.  While completing her degree in nursing, Mrs. Hamilton received a minor degree in dance from the University of Iowa.  After college she was introduced to American and English Country Dancing and became hooked as a student and a teacher/leader of these forms.  Mrs. Hamilton has attended dance workshops all over the United States, studying with some of the best teachers of traditional dance. 

Since 1987, Jennifer has supported the creation of a lively, dedicated dance community in her hometown of Fairfield and has served as the artistic director for the Fairfield performance company, the Heartland Country Dancers, since 1995.  In 1996 she received an Iowa Arts Grant to recreate an 1847 dance performance in period costume for the Iowa Sesquicentennial, which was presented at the State House and around Iowa at various venues. 

At the 2012 Dance Workshop Jennifer will be focusing on English Country Dance form as an expression of community art.  Using mostly familiar dances, she will guide the group toward discovering some subtle styling that can transform not only the beauty of the dance as it is watched by an audience, but also heighten the joy of the collective experience of the dancers.  Jennifer feels dancing is overall for fun, building community and expressing the joy of spirit that so naturally flows when we truly dance with others. 

To register for the Workshop email Emily at swing@dominiondance.com. Please no costumes at the workshop as we will be doing some dance exercises that might be challenging in less than modern dress. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Advanced English Country Dance Workshop

Saturday, April 14^th

10am-4:30pm

Prairie Lane Church

3111 S 119th Street(Just off of 120^th and Center St)

This past December Old Dominion Dance celebrated our two year anniversary. One of our ongoing goals as a dance group is to teach newcomers and expand knowledge of folk dance in the Omaha area. To that end, in conjunction with the April 13^th Costume Ball, OldDD presents the 2012 Advanced ECD Workshop. Attendance will be limited so RSVP quickly by emailing Emily at swing@dominiondance.com. Cost to attend is $10.

Schedule of Events:

Advanced ECD, 10am-3pm(Bring your own lunch)

Taught by Jennifer Hamilton of the Fairfolk, Iowa Dance Group

If you desire to learn more complicated ECD in a fun and focused atmosphere, come to OldDD’s Advanced ECD Workshop on April 14^th. If you’ve been to a dance before and know basic dance terms, you’re welcome to attend the 2012 workshop.

Contra Dance for Beginners, 3:30-4:30pm

Taught by Jerome Grisanti of the Lawrence, Kansas Contra Group

Contra is closely related to ECD, and therefore a lot of fun! Think ECD to bluegrass music. Learn Contra basics and differences between ECD and Contra in this short session with an experienced teacher.

The overall theme for the April 13th Costume Ball is the late Edwardian era. Intermission will be various waltzes and foxtrots(and maybe a few polkas) from the early 1910′s.

The reason for this era in particular is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on April 15th, 1912. The sinking of this mammoth liner shook the world and left us a marked example of bravery and courage in those who remained behind.

Costumes should be modest and easy to dance in. Remember that we will be dancing in a barn and parking in a field, so consider the weather when dressing.

We do welcome costumes of any era as well as nice modern day dress. Dance are just so much more fun, somehow, when you’re dressed in historical clothing. And don’t give me gray hair by waiting until the last minute to register: If you know you’re coming to the Ball(which is just a month away!) in costume or out, register today!

I am thrilled to announce that Old Dominion Dance will be hosting a historical costume ball at the lovely Scottlyn Yards on

Friday, April 13th

7pm-10pm

With Live Music for all our favorite dances

Cost to attend $7 per person or $30 per family

Don’t miss this one chance to dance on a gorgeous antique wood floor in such a fitting atmosphere.

Register Today!

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