| "Dancing
Today: Circles, Squares, Lines and Pairs" will be
performed by the Berea College Country Dancers Tuesday, March 28 at 8
p.m. in Old Seabury Gym.
The troupe's 24 dancers will present a wide variety of dances of
the past quarter century, including traditional Appalachian, English
country, contra and Danish folk dances, Morris and sword dances and
today's popular swing dancing.
Accompanying the performers will be musicians Atossa Kramer and Al
White. Dr. Susan Spalding, director of the Country Dancers will
narrate the program.
In the English country dances, each couple dances with each other
couple, helping to build an atmosphere of cooperation. Morris and
sword dances from the British Isles date from the fifteenth century.
Associated with festivals celebrated at the change of seasons, they
include clacking sticks and ringing bells. Danish dances were some of
the earliest performed by dancers at Berea, and the Appalachian square
dance and clogging reflect the heritage of the region most served by
the College. Swing dancing developed in African-American communities
during the 1920's - 1940's and allows for rousing partner
improvisation.
The performance is free and open to the public.
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