Central Illinois English Country Dancers

What is ECD?

Who are we?

Our Schedule

Our Email List

Our Newsletter

Dances

Our Band

Useful Files

Welcome to the NEW Central Illinois English Country Dancers' home page

Special Notice

As you can see we have moved our web site to a new host. If you are still using the old URL, www.prairienet.org/ciecd, please update your bookmarks and web page links to the new URL, www.CentralIllinoisECD.org.

What is English Country Dance?

English Country Dance is the dance form that was popular in England and America in the 1600's, 1700's and early 1800's. It is one of the dance forms from which modern contra and square dance are descended. If you've seen any of the recent Jane Austen movies then you've seen this sort of dance. We also do some early American dances from the Colonial and Revolutionary War eras. Follow this link for more information.

Who are the CIECD?

The Central Illinois English Country Dancers are a group of local dancers who do English Country and Early American dances. We are affiliated with the Country Dance and Song Society and the the Urbana Park District and we hold monthly dances at the Phillips Recreation Center at 505 W. Stoughton in Urbana. (MAP) We also hold special dances twice a year, a Christmas Ball in December and a Playford Ball in June. In the summer we often have a pool party and dance in the water. Our dances are primarily social and recreational. All dances will be taught and we always have live music provided by our band, The Flatland Consort. Partners, costumes and experience are not necessary. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Some dancers like to dress in period costume at the balls. This can be fun and is encouraged, but is certainly not required. No admission will be charged at our regular monthly dances, but we do ask for a $2.00 donation to raise the fee for the use of the hall.

In the spring we will be holding a special Weekend of Traditional Dance and Music in cooperation with the Urbana Country Dancers and the International Folk Dance Society. This will be a great opportunity for dancers in our area and we hope that everyone will make plans to join us.

Pictures from past dance weekends

CIECD Email List

To receive the latest news on CIECD activities you may want to subscribe to the CIECD email list. We have a Yahoo! Groups email list. Visit the group web site or subscribe below. Contact ciecd-list-owner@centralillinoisecd.org if you have any trouble with the list or if you wish to be added to the list without creating a Yahoo account.

CIECD Schedule For 2010

MONTH	DAY	EVENT	TIME	LOCATION
January	Sunday 24	English Country Dance	2:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Phillips Recreation Center
February	Saturday 13	Couple Dancing Workshop - 7 p.m. Dancing - 8 to 11 p.m.	8:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Illini Union, Room 314
February	Saturday 20	English Country Dance	7:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Phillips Recreation Center
March	Sunday 14	English Country Dance	2:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Phillips Recreation Center
March	Friday 19 - Sunday 21	Marchfest Traditional Dance & Music Weekend		Illini Union
April	Sunday 11	English Country Dance	2:00 - 5:00 p.m.	Phillips Recreation Center
May	Saturday 8	Festival of the English May Check back for further details	3:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Andersons' barn
May	Saturday 22	English Country Dance	7:00 - 10:00 p.m.	Phillips Recreation Center
June	Saturday 5	15th Annual Playford Ball Dance warmup 7:00 - 8:00 Suggested donation $7.00	8:00 - 11:00 p.m.	Illini Union