Jane Austen Ball
Our next Jane Austen Ball will be on May 1, 2011. Following are details of the last one.
4th Annual
Jane Austen Ball
In Rochester, NY
Sunday, May 2, 2010, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Judi Rivkin, Dance Mistress
Music by Persuasion
English Country dances in the spirit of the Jane Austen
Note: as of April 2o, the Ball is full — new applicants will be wait-listed.
- We are delighted to invite you to dance with us in a lovely wood-paneled Tudor style ballroom at one of Rochester’s most elegant country clubs.
- Dance to the lovely music of Persuasion: Rebecca McCallum (violin), Rachel Bell (accordion) and Jane Knoeck (piano).
- Dances will be reviewed in a morning practice session 10 am—noon, followed by a buffet luncheon catered by the club. The Ball will start at 2 pm and end by 5:30, with a break mid-afternoon for delicious refreshments that Jane Austen herself would have enjoyed.
- Familiarity with English dancing expected. Ball preparation classes, every Sunday afternoon (except Easter) Feb. 14 through April 25, provide a chance to learn the dances on the Ball program and are highly recommended.
- Formal dress. Regency period clothing is encouraged but not required. You may wish to attend our period clothing workshop (with Lisa Brown on March 7 at 5 pm at the Friends Meeting House, 84 Scio St. ) or view Lisa’s guides on how to dress for a Regency Ball for men and women.
- Space is limited; early registration advised (deadline is April 23). No tickets available at the door. Click here for registration form with prices.
- Click here for a printable flyer (with registration form), or here for some suggestions on hotels and bed & breakfast accommodations.
- Click here for video clips of previous Balls.
Dance Program
| Grand March | Rakes of Rochester |
| Auretti’s Dutch Skipper | Hunsdon House |
| In the Fields in Frost and Snow | Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot |
| Ramsgate Assembly | Leather Lake House |
| Knole Park | Once A Night |
| The Old Batchelor | Prince William of Gloucester’s Waltz |
| Shrewsbury Lasses (for those who know) | Barbarini’s Tambourine |
| Duke of Kent’s Waltz | Final Waltz |
Our Performers
Caller Judi Rivkin has been dancing all her life. She began leading and teaching English Country Dance in the early 90’s. Weekly English country dance workshops she developed in Seattle, and continues to lead in Princeton, have been the stimulus for dancers of all experience levels to grow and expand their knowledge and repertoire. Recognized for her clarity, good humor, and welcoming style, Judi has led workshops and dances at festivals, camps, and for groups across the US and Canada, and also leads occasional contra dances. In 2001 she was dance mistress at the Regency Ball, a highlight of the Jane Austen Society’s annual general meeting, and in 2007 she called for the first Rochester Jane Austen Ball.
Rebecca McCallum grew up playing classical violin, but began to transform from a “violinist” to a “fiddler” shortly after college. In the midst of the driving rhythm and danceability of her fiddling, you can still hear signs of that classical precision and tone. She has performed at numerous dance festivals as a member of the Groovemongers, and been on staff at week-long camps such as Pinewoods and Mendocino. Rebecca enjoys playing for all kinds of dancing, including Contra, Scottish, English, Greek, and Scandinavian dances. Rochestarian Jane Knoeck has played piano for Contra and English Country dances for nearly 20 years. A blend of traditional and contemporary rhythm and chords forms the spirited, eclectic and highly danceable approach to the music that is the hallmark of her style. As a member of the Groovemongers and several other ensembles, Jane has played at many weekend dance festivals and has been on staff for weeklong camps at Pinewoods and Mendocino. Other musical travels include playing at festivals in England and the Caribbean. In addition to English and Contra dance, she also plays for Scottish Country and French traditional dances on both piano and accordion. Rachel Bell grew up playing piano and exploring a wide range of folk instruments. Now focusing on accordion and wooden flute, she enjoys a busy gig schedule playing concerts and for English and contra dances with Montage, Tunescape, and the Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand Band.
Important Details
- Directions for the dances can be found here. You can also request that a paper copy be mailed. The dances are all from the Regency period or earlier, and will be walked through and prompted (with one exception: Shrewsbury Lasses will be ‘for those who know’, with only a verbal recap). Dance booklets including all the dance directions will be available at the registration table when you arrive.
- We will be having a raffle to help support the expense of running the Ball. Donations, especially of Regency-related items, are welcome and may be brought directly to the Ball.
- Doors open at 9:30 am. Changing rooms will be available on the premises.
- Our contract with the country club prohibits us from advertising the location of the Ball in public places (such as this flyer or our web site). Location and directions will come with your registration confirmation.
- There are no restaurants within walking distance. Lunch (including vegetarian options) is part of dancer admission; if this is a problem for you please contact the registrar.
- The club has a no jeans or T-shirts policy, and does not permit use of cell phones on the premises.
- Limited hospitality (accommodations in the homes of local dancers) is available and may be requested by contacting us via e-mail (preferred) at housing@rochestercontra.com, or by calling Leslie Phillips at (585) 328-3041.
- Questions? Contact the registrar, Richard Sauvain at (585) 442-4681 or registrar@rochestercontra.com
Pre-Ball Experienced English Dance
The evening before the Ball there will be a dance for experienced English dancers with Persuasion and a bevy of regional callers. May 1, 8—11 pm, at Covenant United Methodist Church, 1124 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY, 14609. Come on Saturday and make a weekend of it!