Newsletter of the Central Illinois English Country Dancers

Summer 1996

We are nearing the end of the first full year for the Central Illinois English Country Dancers. During that time we have had monthly dances at the Springer Recreation Center in Champaign from September through May. In addition we have had two formal events, our Christmas Ball last December and our first annual Playford Ball this June. Attendance at our monthly dances has ranged from 12 to 32 and we've had around 40 people at both of the balls we have held. We've had 6 different people teach dances this year and the band has grown such that we've had 7 musicians at each of the balls. We did over 30 different dances over the course of the year.

In addition to our regularly scheduled events we also took part in the Champaign County Historical Museum's Annual Summer Social on Sunday June 23. We got quite a few new people to give English Country Dance a try and were mentioned in the write-up of the event in the News-Gazette. There was also a very nice picture of us doing the Cicassian Circle along with the story.

While the growth of the group has been very gratifying, the very generous donations that all of you have made haven't quite kept up with the costs of running our events. We are planning some fund raising events in the fall, but if anyone would be willing to make a small contribution to the group in the meantime, please let me know. Also please let me know that you wish to remain on the mailing list.

We have worked out a schedule of events for the rest of the summer and for the fall. I have listed them below. Anyone who needs further information can contact Jonathan Sivier at 217/359-8225.

Summer schedule:

Sunday, July 21: Dance from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Botanical Gardens in Lake of the Woods Park near Mahomet. We'll be part of their July Jubilation which goes from 1-4 p.m. We will continue dancing when that is over and then have a potluck picnic dinner. We are scheduled to start at 3:30, but it would be good if everyone who can make it came a bit earlier to help get ready. I intend to go early and enjoy the other music and events that will be going on during the afternoon. Our primary purpose will be to have fun dancing. However since we will be taking part in a public event, we will be making an effort to get the audience to join in.

Saturday, July 27: Pool party at Jane Hobgood's, 3 Illini Circle, Urbana. Swimming starts at 3 p.m., dancing (in the pool) starts at 4:00. A hearty-salad, potluck dinner will follow the dancing. In case of rain it will be postponed to Sunday, July 28.

Sunday, August 11: Dance and potluck at Larry and Susan's, 602 Normal Ave., Normal, IL. Dance starting at 3 p.m., dinner at 6 or so.

Fall schedule:

Sunday, September 8: Dance and picnic in gardens at Allerton Park. Picnic from 1:00 to 3:00 at a location within the park to be determined. Dancing from 3:00 to 6:00 (approximately) in the Sunken Gardens.

Saturday, September 21: Dance from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Springer Recreation Center, 301 N. Randolph in Champaign.

Sunday, October 27: Dance from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Springer Recreation Center.

Saturday, November 23: Dance from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Springer Recreation Center.

Sunday, December 8: Dance from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Springer Recreation Center.

Saturday, December 21: Christmas Ball at location TBA (hopefully the Union).

We are also trying to schedule some events in early October and November. Details will be announced as they become available.


For the current schedule and further information return to the CIECD webpage
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