We are the Dover English Country Dancers. Our aim is to create a community where anyone can learn and enjoy English country dancing! We hold Monthly Dances and Special Events. Our performance group has appeared in many Delaware and Maryland locations for such events as Dover Days and Chestertown Tea Party.
We encourage anyone and everyone to come out and meet their community, learn something new, make friends, and most of all have fun dancing!
We put on many events throughout the year!
Regular Monthly Dances - Our monthly dances are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month. In-person Instruction, live music, snacks, and community fun! Relaxed and casual atmosphere. No previous experience, skills, or dress required, though we recommend loose, comfortable clothing and non-marking sole shoes. See our Events page for more info.
Special Events - Less frequent but twice the fun, we will have periodic special events, like our Spring and Holiday Dances. See our Events page for more info.
Requested Performances - Upon request the performing division of our members can and do put on displays of traditional English Country Dancing! Reach out to Dance Mistress Ieva Ersts via our Contact Us page for more info.
Not at all! In addition to live instruction and aid from your partners, every monthly dance has beginner instruction for the first half hour before the dancing starts! Country dancing has much switching in partners by its nature, so we would love if you brought a friend, but it's not necessary to have a partner to attend! Just come in clothing you can dance in and with cash or check for admission (see Events page for admission prices). Many of our attendees do elect to bring snacks for themselves or to share with the group, as lively dancing makes hungry stomachs, but that is by no means required.
While there are a wide of variety of dances in the English country dancing style, most can be picked up easily! It's often said of English country dancing: if you can walk, you can dance!
See our Learn More page to learn about the history, dances, and music of English country dancing!
Yes! While showing up will always be our favorite form of support, we have a special place in our hearts for our members! Annual membership is only $10 and helps us make our special events even more special and keeps the organization going. In addition, Member admission price for regular monthly dances is reduced to $7, and membership allows you to vote in Board Elections, which take place every two years.