English country dance facts for kids
The English country dance is a fun and social type of folk dance. It began in England a long time ago, during a period called the Renaissance (from the 1400s to the 1600s). This dance became very popular across Europe, in the United States, and in the American colonies until the 1800s.
This dance style made a big comeback in the early 1900s. Today, you can mostly find people enjoying English country dance in North America and around Great Britain.
Contents
What is English Country Dance?
English country dance is a type of social dance. It's often done in groups, with dancers forming lines or circles. People usually dance with partners, but the focus is on dancing with the whole group. It's a great way to meet new people and have fun together!
Where Did It Begin?
This dance started in England during the Renaissance. This was a time when art, music, and new ideas were very important. English country dance quickly spread. It became popular in many countries. People danced it at parties, celebrations, and social gatherings.
Dancing Today
After being less popular for a while, English country dance became popular again in the early 1900s. Now, many people enjoy learning and performing these dances. It's a living tradition that connects dancers to history. You can find dance groups and events in many places.
Different Ways to Dance
There are many different ways to do an English country dance. Some dances involve moving in a clockwise direction. Others go counter-clockwise. Some dances have partners crossing over each other. There are also "double" dances and dances that follow a "figure of 8" pattern. Each dance has its own unique steps and movements!
Images for kids
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A comical 18th-century country dance - engraving by William Hogarth
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A village country dance - engraving by Abraham Bosse, 1633.
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Lorin's contradanse choreography, one of the earliest western dance notations
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The "La Trénis" figure of the Contredanse, an illustration from Le Bon Genre, Paris, 1805
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Country dance, Queensland, about 1910
