Of Winters Past…

This dance is a little different from the others hosted by ACHEV. For those of you who are new, English Country Dance (ECD) is social, or group dancing in sets or lines. The height of popularity was during the Regency Era, but it is just as wonderful today as ever. To learn more about English Country Dancing in general, visit the Santa Barbara Country Dance Society, or sbcds.org. Below are some pictures from a movie based on Pride and Prejudice.

ACHEV hosts this dance for the private homeschool community: ACHEV, CASA, SBCHI and TPCS students 6th grade and older, including graduates, and parents. Although helpful, no prior experience necessary, as dances will be taught and called. This dance requires some paying attention to learn and follow instructions in order for everyone to get the most enjoyment out of each dance. Mature and motivated students as young as ten may attend at the discretion of their parents. 

Gary Shapiro will be the Dance Master. Live music!

Saturday, January 26, 7-10pm
At the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura, located at 3451 Foothill Road in Ventura
$15 per person ($30 family maximum); parent chaperones are free
Please bring a finger-food to share. Water provided.

Parents are encouraged to participate in this dance. Many do every year. Parents, who chaperone, attend for free. If you wish to invite a guest, you need to contact Anita Schneider, at schneiderab@verizon.net or text/call 805-490-0154, in advance. Please remember it is your responsibility to carefully read dance notices to be sure your students and guests are prepared.

All dancers under 18 need a parent chaperone. If you are unable to stay, please make arrangements for another responsible parent to chaperone in your place. (Parents, if you do stay, please consider dressing up and joining the dancing!) Also, mature and motivated dancers as young as eleven years old are welcome as well. Parents, you are responsible for deciding if your younger children are ready to participate.

Formal Attire ~ Of Winters Past… is a time period formal event. Era costume will be admired, but not required! Regency Era was the height of ECD, but honestly, any era from medieval forward works, as ECD has been loved for centuries. That means Renaissance, Regency, colonial, Victorian, even 1900’s are all fair game! Just have fun with it.

Modest historical costumes are encouraged, otherwise formalwear, please, such as vests and ties for the boys, and long formal dresses for the girls. The ACHEV dress code for dances applies. Please visit and carefully read the full dress code: ECD Formal visual dress code. It includes examples of Regency Era attire as well as illustrations to clarify the minimum requirements of the dress code for dances.

Students arriving at the dance without proper attire will be asked to call a parent to bring suitable clothing or return home to change. Please be gracious in accepting the decision of the person in charge.

For period dress ideas, watch a movie based on a Jane Austen novel (Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Emma) and start visiting thrift stores. Some of the gowns from the movies are quite simple – have fun with it! Fabric stores often have historical sewing patterns, if you are inclined to sew.

To volunteer, please sign up here. Thanks! Of Winters Past 2019 volunteers

For inquiries, please contact Anita Schneider at schneiderab@verizon.net.