Lexington Vintage Dance Society������������������ Updated 01/19/2005

Who are we?��������������� What is Vintage Dance?����������� How can I learn to dance?�������

Where can I dance?����� When can I see a performance?����������� What's next?

About the Society

The Lexington Vintage Dance Society, with headquarters in Lexington, KY, is dedicated to researching, teaching, performing, and promoting the ballroom and social dance forms of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Experience these beautiful and dynamic couple dances for yourself through the activities of LVDS.� We encourage you to see a performance by the Swan Salon Dancers, take a class, or come to a ball.

LVDS is a non-profit educational organization and a member of the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council.� Contributions are tax-deductible.

About Vintage Dance

There are vintage dance societies in cities and towns all around the US and indeed in Europe, too.� The term �vintage dance� was coined by Prof. Richard Powers, then at the University of Cincinnati, to refer to the social dances of the period from about 1840 to 1940.� Vintage dancers seek to re-create not only the steps and patterns and style of these dances, but the music, costumes, manners and whole social milieu of the times.� Vintage dance is living history.

For us at LVDS, vintage dance encompasses these periods and representative dance forms:

The Regency Era (1800-1830) � English Country Dances, Scottish Jigs and Reels, French Quadrilles, and the early German Waltz.

The Romantic Era (1840-1875) � Polka, Grande Waltz, Schottische, Mazurka, Waltz-Redowa, Polonaise and Quadrilles.

The Late Victorian Period (1875-1905) � Variations on the romantic dances, plus the New Waltz, Two-step, and Cakewalk.

The Ragtime Period (1910-1917) � One-step or Castle Walk, Tango, Foxtrot, Maxixe, and various Animal Dances.

The Jazz Age (1920-1935) � Charleston , Blues, Foxtrot, Samba, and Lindy Hop.

These dance styles are the roots of the modern ballroom dances like the foxtrot, slow waltz and Viennese waltz, as well as contemporary popular dances like swing and Argentine Tango.

In addition, LVDS sponsors classes and events by our affiliates in Argentine Tango, Scottish Country Dance, and other related areas.

Classes and Workshops

Experienced dancers within LVDS teach classes that are inexpensive and open to the public.� Our goal is to introduce as many people as possible to the joys of vintage dance.� Classes are held periodically at ArtsPlace (161 N. Mill St. ) in Lexington and from time to time in Frankfort, Berea and other towns in the area.

Vintage Dance������������� Argentine Tango���������� Scottish Country Dance����������� Map

Vintage Dance Classes

Come by yourself or with a partner.� Register and pay fee at the first class of each series.� Questions?� E-mail info@LexingtonVintageDance.org or call Danby at (859) 420-6780.

Spring 1: The Roaring Twenties

Instructors: Tim Lamm, Merrell Fuson

Time: Thursdays, 6:00�7:00 p.m.

Dates: January 20 to February 24.

Place: ArtsPlace � Studio B, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY

Cost: $30 per person for 6 classes.� Full-time students and seniors 60+ are half-price.

Charleston, Lindy Hop, Fast and Slow Foxtrot, Toddle, and Blues---warm up this winter with the energetic or sultry dances of the 1920�s!� These are intermediate-level dances.

Spring 2: Ragtime Dance

Instructors: Tim Lamm, Merrell Fuson, and others from the troupe

Time: Thursdays, 6:00�7:00 p.m.

Dates: March 10 to April 28.

Place: ArtsPlace � Studio B, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY

Cost: $40 per person for 8 classes.� Full-time students and seniors 60+ are half-price.

This series will cover the basic dances of the ragtime period (1912-18): the one-step, tango, two-step, foxtrot, and blues. The emphasis will be on skillful partnering. Students will learn to improvise using a small set of variations.� Although the classes will not be strictly cumulative, the later classes will be more advanced.� Great preparation for our monthly social events!� By the end of this series, dancers will be well prepared to enjoy the Cincinnati Ragtime Ball on Saturday, April 30.

Argentine Tango Classes

Argentine Tango, a Six-Week Series for Beginners

Instructors: Ronald and Judith Gariepy

Time: Mondays, 8:00�9:15 p.m.

Dates: November 1 to December 6, 2004.

Place: ArtsPlace � Studio B, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY

Cost: $50 per person for the series; full-time students half-price.

Argentine Tango, a Six-Week Series for Beginners

Instructors: Ronald and Judith Gariepy

Time: Mondays, 8:00�9:15 p.m.

Dates: January 17 to February 21, 2005.

Place: ArtsPlace � Studio B, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY

Cost: $50 per person for the series; full-time students half-price.

Instructors: Ronald and Judith Gariepy

Time: Mondays, 8:00�9:15 p.m.

Dates: March 21 to April 25, 2005.

Place: ArtsPlace � Studio B, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY

Cost: $50 per person for the series; full-time students half-price.

Argentine Tango has been described as "the most sensual of partner dances."� It is characterized by a close embrace and strong "lead and follow" technique.� Because of the nature of the dance, please sign up as couples.� If you do not have a partner, we will attempt to match you up if you call in advance.� To register or to obtain more information, call Ron and Judith (859) 252-0012 or Lynda Matusek (859) 266-4818.

Argentine Tango Practice

Informal practice sessions are held every Wednesday night 8 � 10 p.m. at Arts Place .� For more information on other tango activities, call Ronald and Judith Gariepy (859) 252-0012.

Scottish Country Dance

We hope to be able to offer classes in Scottish Country Dance again sometime in 2005.� Please check back later.

Scottish Dancing: The Ballroom Dancing of Scotland

Instructor: Vicky Goodloe

Time: TBA

Dates: TBA

Place: ArtsPlace � Performance Hall, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY

Cost: $45 per person for the 10-week series (full-time students $25).� Family rates are available.� Pre-registration appreciated.

The classes will cover Scottish country dance steps, formations and dances.

All classes are taught by a certificated teacher of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.� Previous dance experience is not required, nor is it necessary to have a partner.� For more information, call (859) 226-0327 or e-mail vgoodloe@yahoo.com.

How to get to ArtsPlace

ArtsPlace, administered by the Lexington Arts and Cultural Council, is located at 161 N. Mill St., Lexington, KY.� For building hours, call 859-233-1469.

Dance Opportunities

Social Dances � A Vintage Sampler

On the first Friday of each month, from September through December 2004, the LVDS will host a social dance, open to the public.� Each event will include a variety of dances---turning waltz, cross-step waltz, polka, schottische, tango, one-step, foxtrot, blues, and more.� There will be instruction for beginners from 7:15 to 8:00 pm, then dancing to recorded music from 8:00 to 10:00.� The cost will be $6 per person per event (students $3).� All dances will be in Performance Hall at ArtsPlace.� For more information, contact Jan Pearce at (859) 985-3569 or send e-mail to jan_pearce@berea.edu.

Instruction topics:

January 7, 2005����������� Foxtrot

February 4, 2005�������� Charleston

March 4, 2005������������ One-step

April 1, 2005��������������� Tango

May ?, 2005��������������� Turning Waltz�������������� (Date TBA.)

June 3, 2005��������������� Cross-step Waltz

Balls and Workshops

For more information about balls or workshops, e-mail info@LexingtonVintageDance.org or call Danby at (859) 420-6780.

Chicamauga, Georgia � November 5-7, 2004 � Split Tree Gypsy Waltz Weekend

An annual event with dance teacher and historian Richard Powers.� The theme is "Slow, Fast and Odd" and the schedule includes Waltzing for Beginners, the Bohemian National Polka, St. Louis Shuffle, hambo, and role-reversal five-step schottische (now that's odd!), among other things.  For more info and to register, click here https://www.splittree.org/ww04.htm

Cincinnati, Ohio � December 4, 2004 � Yuletide Reveries

Return to the elegance of the 19^th century and reminisce about yuletides of yore.� Ball cards will include the Galop, Polka, Schottische, Waltz, and Quadrilles.� 8:00 p.m. at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center, 322 Wyoming Ave.� $20 per person.� Contact Cindy DeHoff at 513-530-9370 for more information.

Dayton, Ohio � January 29, 2005 � Ragtime Teddybear�s Picnic

Sponsored by the Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly.� Details not yet available.

Cincinnati, Ohio � February 26, 2005 � Baubles, Bangles and Beads

The Monday Night Big Band will fill the ballroom with well-known dance music of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.� Dances will include the Cha Cha, Foxtrot, Rumba, Swing, Tango, and Waltz.� 8:00 p.m. at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center, 322 Wyoming Ave.� $20 per person.� Contact Cindy DeHoff at 513-530-9370 for more information.

Lexington, Ky � March 20, 2005 � Jonquil Jubilee Ball

Celebrate spring at our 1890s ball!� Live music and light refreshments.� 1890s attire encouraged but not required.� 2:00-5:00 p.m. at ArtsPlace, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington, KY.� $20 per person; $10 for full-time students.� For more information call (859) 420-6780 or info@lexingtonvintagedance.org.� Presented by the Lexington Vintage Dance Society.

Cincinnati, Ohio � April 2, 2005 � April Showers Ball

Sponsored by the Forget-Me-Nots Dance Company.� Details not yet available.

Cincinnati, Ohio � April 30, 2005 � Ragtime Ramble

Don�t miss this romp to the rousing tunes of the Ragtime era!� Dances will feature the Blues, Foxtrot, One Step, Tango, Two Step, and Waltz.� 8:00 p.m. at the Wyoming Fine Arts Center, 322 Wyoming Ave.� $20 per person.� Contact Cindy DeHoff at 513-530-9370 for more information.

Directions to Cardome Center

Located on US 25, approximately � mile north of Main Street, Georgetown.

I-75 North: Take the Georgetown-Paris Exit #125 and turn LEFT.� This will take you downtown and onto Main Street .� At the 4^th stoplight (intersection of US25 and Main) turn RIGHT by the Courthouse.� Travel north � mile, crossing the Elkhorn Creek.� The second drive on the LEFT and through stone columns is the main entrance.

I-75 South: Take the Delaplain Rd. Exit #129 and turn RIGHT.� At the caution light, make a LEFT onto US 25.� Go approximately 3 miles, past Scott County High School and The Colony subdivision.� The first nonresidential drive on the right is a secondary entrance.� Next on the RIGHT is the main entrance through stone columns.

US 25 North: Travel north through Georgetown until you cross the Elkhorn Creek.� The second drive on the LEFT and through stone columns is the main entrance.

US 25 South:� Follow directions above upon exiting I-75 South.

Performances by the Swan Salon Dancers

The Swan Salon Dancers are listed in the Kentucky Arts Council�s 2003-2004 Performing Arts on Tour directory.� See .

Current Schedule

November 16-17, 2004, 10:00 AM, Singletary Center, Lexington, KY.

Historic dances from 1800-1930, performed with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra.

February 12, 2005, 8:00 PM, Lexington, KY.

Performance of romantic dances with the Lexington Chamber Chorale in �Love German Style.�

February 25, 2005, 7:30 PM, Louisville, KY.

Performance of regency dances at the Frazier Historical Arms Museum, 829 West Main Street, Louisville, KY (502) 412-2280 or toll-free (866) 886-7103.

Swan Salon Performing Troupe

Does your organization have an interest in entertainment, the arts, or history?� We've performed for audiences at reenactments, museums, concerts, historic homes, festivals, theaters, schools, private parties, retirement communities, and at a Toastmasters Conference.

Are you planning an event?� A musical performance?� A Civil War event?� We can develop our performance to suit your needs.� We can include anecdotes and history about the dances, social customs, costumes, and music of the time.� We can also teach a step or two.

We love to join forces with other arts groups for special performances.� We've performed with the Kentucky Ballet Theatre, Saxton's Cornet Band, the Lexington Chamber Chorale, and the Central Kentucky Concert Band.� We've danced for the movies, too---a documentary and a feature film.

Take your choice of these eras:

Regency (1800-1830)

Think Jane Austen, and take delight in the fancy steps and lilting decorum of country dances, quadrilles, and reels.� The minuet is a memory, and the scandalous new dance, the waltz, is taking hold.

Romantic (1840-1875)

Enchantment!� Enjoy the great Victorian era of couple dancing, a time of swirling waltzes, dynamic polkas, and the magnificent mazurka.� Doing a Civil War event?� This is the era for you.

Late Victorian (1875-1905)

Everyone is captivated by the music of the waltz king, Johann Strauss Jr.� The glorious Viennese waltz reigns supreme, attended by stately polonaises.� By the 1890�s, the lively American two-step becomes the dance of the day.

Ragtime (1910-1917)

The civilized world throws away its corsets and starts to move the body in new ways to new music.� We cannot resist doing the Castle Walk, the maxixe from Brazil, and the tango from Argentina .

Jazz Age (1920-1935)

Legs and arms fly as the Charleston light up the dance floor.� Then we slow down with the blues and the elegant foxtrot.

Booking a performance

For more information and bookings, please call (859) 539-9721 or (859) 536-8081.

Contact Us

The Lexington Vintage Dance Society

759 Robin Road

Lexington KY 40502

Bookings: 859-536-8081

General Information: (859) 420-6780

info@LexingtonVintageDance.org

Links to Other Vintage Dance Groups

This is a partial listing of Vintage Dance web sites in the eastern U.S. ��

https://vintagedancing.com/�������������������� The Vintage Dance Society (Hartford, CT) has a new web page with information about events, performances, music, costume, and more.

https://vintagedancers.org/��������������������� The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers (Boston, MA) sponsor the famous Newport Vintage Dance Week in August.

https://www.angelfire.com/pa/vintagedance/home.html���������������� Mixed Pickles is Philadelphia 's vintage dance company.

https://www.burrows.com/events.html#dance����������������������������� This is John Burrow�s calendar of vintage events of the Victorian Era.

https://www.centuriesdance.org/������������ Under the leadership of Renee Camus, this group in the Washington, DC, area is available for performances, parties, educational presentations, workshops, and teaching events.

https://www.jef.com/vintage/#schedule��������������� Betty and John Fetvedt�s page seeks to be a primary index of information on any topics related to vintage dancing.

www.louisianevintagedancers.com������������������������������� Unofficial web site of the Louisiane Vintage Dancers, based in Baton Rouge, LA.

https://www.vintagedance.com/index.htm����������������������� Grand Traditions Vintage Dance Academy (Ann Arbor, MI) offers classes, workshops, and balls, focusing on dances from the mid-19th through mid-20th centuries.

https://www.vintagedance.net/��������������������������� The Flying Cloud Academy of Vintage Dance (Cincinnati, OH) � where it all began.

Links to Sources of Costumes and Costume Information

https://www.costumegallery.com/����������������������� General resources on costume.

https://www.historyinthemaking.org/������������������� Site offers men's and women's reproduction period costume and accessories.� The catalog includes custom-made articles of 19th century clothing, hats, bonnets, wigs, neckwear and other assorted items.

https://www.originals-by-kay.com/ ������������������� Kay Gnagy makes custom vintage clothing for men and women.� She specializes in the Civil War Era.

https://www.sensibility.com/mainpage.htm ��������������������� Jennie Chancey sells patterns for vintage women�s clothes---Regency, Edwardian, Ragtime, Swing.

https://www.siue.edu/COSTUMES/history.html On-line version of The History of Costume.� This site has lots of pictures of costumes from ancient times to 1880.