Sprigged Muslin Dancing

Dancing in Jane Austen's novels plays a pivotal role in courtship and family entertainment. The Jane Austen Centre in Bath provides a good description of Regency Dancing and the History of the Waltz. For a peek at a similar group in the UK, watch video interviews with Jane Austen dancers

Closer to home, the English Country Dance community in Victoria, BC has released a new CD, The Dancehall Players: Live from Dan's Hall - Music for English Country Dance.

In Calgary you can learn the dances and share laughter with the members of "Sprigged Muslin". Pat Barton, our experienced and passionate leader ensures we convey the real spirit of dancing in the Regency period. Descriptions of the dances are available in pdf. For illustration of the difficult minuet step, watch a demonstration by the Royal College of Music or the Atlanta Baroque Dance.

Map for 2400 Sorel Mews SW

Although we are resting for the summer, usually we meet to learn and practice on the fourth Monday of each month at 2400 Sorrel Mews SW. If a performance is in the offing, we agree on a more frequent schedule.

Dancers may be members of JASNA Calgary, but everyone is welcome. We dance mainly for our own pleasure, although we do perform for seniors groups, JASNA galas, etc. For performances we create costumes, and experienced members help with suggestions and sources. If you would like more information contact us at JASNA Calgary.

In May we performed for the Canadian Federation of University Women - Calgary North. Under the direction of Pat Barton, members of the CFUW participated in a set of readings from Pride and Prejudice. At intervals, Sprigged Muslin performed dances.