The Farms: Dances of the Gilded Age
Experience Level: Beginner
Step back in time with turn-of-the-century dances at Dances of the Gilded Age on Mondays, Jan. 27 through March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion.
In this elegant setting, instructor Jeanette Watts will teach 1900-era ballroom styles including the waltz and two-step, reflecting the graceful movements that captivated society early in the 20th century. Perfect for history enthusiasts and dance lovers alike, this course offers a unique opportunity to experience the elegance and charm of the Gilded Age.
$90/person for the entire series or $30/class. Register here for the series by Jan. 24 or three days before each class. All sales are final.
Individual class registration links and topics:
— Jan. 27: The Two-Step. With John Phillips Sousa cranking out marches one after the other, how can we not dance to them? Class will start with the basics of good partnering and ballroom position, then work on the footwork for sliding galops, four-count sliding galops, and then the two-step. Class will be peppered with dance games from 1900 that use galop and Two Step footwork.
— Feb. 3: Review. This class will start with some reminders about effective lead and follow skills, and a review of the galop and two-step footwork. We will then spend this class applying two step to quadrilles, set dances, and dance games from 1900. Prepare to laugh a lot! Class will finish with an introduction to one of the many waltz variations being done at the Turn of the Century – Waltz a Deux Temps. In other words, doing the two-step in ¾ time.
— Feb. 10: Turning Basics. There is a lot more to waltz than doing the two-step in ¾ instead of 2/4 time… this class will spend time breaking down the most common turning basic of the era, and gradually building up speed. With history lesson breaks to combat dizziness. Once again, class will be peppered with dance games and quadrilles that use the footwork skills we’ve just learned.
— Feb. 17: Cakewalk. The cakewalk has the strangest history of any dance, ever. A risky dance of quiet resistance that started in the slave quarters of the south, the dance making fun of the enslavers became the fashionable dance of the middle and upper classes by the Turn of the Century. From these dark roots comes a dance of joyful exuberance and creativity. It is also where we get the expression “takes the cake.” Yes, there is cake involved
— Feb. 24: Schottische. Sometimes referred to as Rhinelander or the Barn Dance, we will go over the basics for Schottische, the dance with the longest basic pattern, and the least amount of turning. Variations in 1900 were delightfully creative, and still incorporate turning two-step.
— March 3: Turn of the Century Ball! Students will vote beforehand on whether this will be a period ball, or a subset of that: the Fancy Dress Ball. No new dance techniques will be taught, and students will focus on applying their dance skills to a vast array of dance party games taken directly from old dance manuals. Costumes encouraged but not required, participants are welcome to bring potluck refreshments for the refreshment table.
Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Jeanette Watts has been teaching historical dances for over 20 years. She is the founder of the Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly in Dayton, Ohio, Queen City Vintage Dance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spent covid writing an 8-volume series of instructional dance manuals for historical museums.
About The Farms
The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.
See the complete Spring Session schedule here.
