Beginner-friendly classes in English Country Dancing will be held at the air-conditioned Richmond Free Library, 201 Bridge Street, Richmond, VT. The classes, for teens and adults, will meet from 7 pm to 9 pm on August Wednesdays (August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31), and will be taught by Val Medve and Martha Kent to recordings. $3-$5, pay at the door. Attend as many or as few classes as your schedule allows. Info: val.medve@gmail.com or 802-899-2378. Website: www.burlingtoncountrydancers.com

You may be unfamiliar with English Country Dancing (ECD), but you've seen it in the BBC series Pride and Prejudice (yes, the one with Colin Firth as Darcy!) or the movies Sense and Sensibility, Emma, or the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice (with Keira Knightley). Far from being an arcane relic, however, English Country Dancing is a living tradition and a fun social activity enjoyed by people all over the United States and beyond, at local and regional dances, weekends and dance camps.

The origins of the dance date back to the time of Elizabeth I of England. In the mid-seventeenth century, John Playford compiled the popular English Country Dances of the time in his book, The English Dancing Master. In the early nineteenth century, Jane Austen wrote about country dancing in her novels, journals, and letters. Since then, many people have collected and interpreted old dances, and new ones are being composed all the time.

So, what does English Country Dancing involve? It’s easy to learn, and the basic step is simple – just walking in time with the music. It’s done with a partner; men with women is traditional, but same-gender partners are fine as well. You can come with or without a partner, as you'll switch partners frequently through the evening. Partners form sets of various shapes – lines, circles, squares – depending on the dance. The teacher/caller then walks everyone through a series of flowing figures or patterns, similar to those done in contra dancing**, engaging each other and the couples around them, sometimes taking hands with other dancers.

Each dance has its own individual character and music, and there is great variety. The tunes range from the hauntingly beautiful to the driving and energetic, and may be taken from traditional songs or ballads, from baroque or classical sources such as Purcell and Handel, or may be composed specifically for a given dance.

Bring clean, flat-soled shoes with some traction; avoid flip-flops/mules, high or narrow heels, and hard, slick soles, please. Dress comfortably and casually, and be aware that you can get quite warm. Women may wear pants although skirts or dresses are fun for dancing.

Hope to see you!

** Glamour magazine recently published an article with date ideas that don't involve drinking alcohol. Contra dancing was #1 on the list! http://www.glamour.com/story/date-ideas-without-alcohol