Old Time Ball

[paul]

Hey ! Whacko ! I'm going to an Old Time Dance, Sat. Sept 20 th.
There will be three bands playing.
Here's part of the progam:

St. Bernard Waltz
Canadian Barn Dance
Exions Quadrille
Swing Waltz
Berlin Schottische
Tangoette
Grand March to - Royal Irish Quadrille
Maxina
Gypsy Tap
The Lancers ( Quadrille )
Pride of Erin
Merrilyn
Highland Schottische
Waltz Cottillions ( Quadrille )
Varsovianna, Polka Mazurka, Princess Polka.
Charmaine
Parma Waltz
The Alberts ( Quadrille )
Circassian Circle
Palais Glide

I'm sure it's gonna be a great night of music and dancing.
Followed next day by a Barbeque and a guided tour through part
of a National Park, (wildflowers, etc.).

Cheers.

[nickp]

Interesting... as someone who plays old time and also in an English style barn dance band, there doesn't seem much scope for old time music there. Howevere there's some good (if rather outmoded) dances there. Perhaps they should be revived properly. Nick

[nickp]

And perhaps they mean dances as they would have been done in 'old times'

[john]

Yep, them ole time balls are really swingin`
cheers,
John

[paul]

Outmoded ? Well, yes, perhaps. There are a few small groups scattered about this state of Victoria, and in Melbourne, which keep these dances alive. There were massive worldwide changes to social dancing after WW1, and again after WW2. Many old time dances went out of favour. Many were lost for years. And many have been revived, properly. Most, if not all, of the music used for these dances is pre - 1900.

We have many new dance studios here now, often crowded with young folk, middle-aged, and a few oldies; all dancing New Vogue, Latin, etc. And dancing to modern music. Dancing for medals, trophies, etc. A very high standard of dancing, too, but I do prefer the Old Time.

Cheers.

[nickp]

Hi Paul, That 'restored' tradition sounds intriguing. Please keep us updated on how it goes. Nick

[paul]

www.melbournecolonialdancers.org.au/index.html

There's a link to one of our local websites.

The Ball on the 20 th Sept. was Grrreat ! From 8 p.m. to 1.30 a.m.
With a huge supper. Fell into bed at 2 a.m. Cheers. Paul.