Gentle Frolickers…
Don your finery and step out for a night on the “ton”, celebrating new seasons…of the natural and Bridgerton variety! Dance in the main hall of the Groton Grange, sample decadent refreshments, and enjoy music from the early 19th century with merry company (and hopefully no scandals worthy of Lady Whistledown).
The evening will feature country dances from the Regency period (late 18th and early 19th centuries). Beginners are encouraged to attend - all dances will be taught, and no partner is required!
Guests are encouraged to come dressed in whatever feels fancy and elegant. Historical costumes of the early 19th century (as well as masquerade masks) will be admired but are certainly not required. We do recommend flat or low heeled shoes, as modern high heels are not conducive to historical dances.
As with all of our events, Footwork & Frolick welcomes beginner dancers and others new to historical spaces. Our goal is to create a friendly environment for engaging with historical activities, and with that in mind all of the dances for the evening are selected with beginners in mind. There will also be a workshop at the Groton Grange Hall on the afternoon of the ball for those who wish to try out the dancing in advance and meet other ball-goers.
Note that at our events we use the terms “lead” and “follow” to refer to the roles in the dance. All dancers are welcome to dance either role regardless of gender identity or presentation, and you’ll often find members of Footwork & Frolick switching between roles throughout the event.
Schedule of Events
Afternoon workshop: 3:30pm - 5pm
Doors open: 6:30pm
Dancing begins: 7pm
Ticket Information
We will be offering 3 ticket options for this ball: student/new grad, standard, and supporter. As a non-profit, our goal is to keep our events as affordable as possible, so that cost is never the reason you can’t attend. The afternoon workshop tickets can be added on to your ball ticket purchase for an additional $10.
Scholarships: As a non-profit, our mission is to make historical activities accessible to all. Scholarships - which include free attendance at an event or class, sometimes with a guest - are available to anyone who historically has not felt welcome in modern historical spaces or whose financial situation would not otherwise allow them to attend. We especially encourage young, BIPOC, or LGBTQIA folks to apply. Scholarships can be requested through this short form.
What should I wear?
Guests are encouraged to come dressed in whatever feels fancy and elegant. Historical costumes of the early 19th century will be admired but are certainly not required. We do recommend flat or low heeled shoes, as modern high heels are not conducive to historical dances.
If you attend the afternoon class, you will be able to leave any items or changes of clothes at the hall in between, and you will be able to change in the hall if desired. If you do not attend the class, we ask that you arrive in your ball attire as there is limited changing space in the Grange.
Will there be food?
Light refreshments will be served during the ball, but we strongly encourage eating dinner before the ball. Groton has several lovely restaurants for dinner near the Grange Hall at a range of price points. We recommend Bruno’s Pizza, Filho’s Cucina, Groton Publick House, or Tequila’s Cantina - but there are many more.
Can I try the dances before the ball?
We will hold an afternoon workshop at our event venue, the Groton Grange Hall, from 3:30pm - 5pm on the day of the ball. During the workshop we will practice some of the dances from the ball program, and will discuss foundational concepts of Regency dance that will help you pick up new dances quickly throughout the evening.
For those who would like to spend more time with Regency dancing, we encourage you to attend Quadrillion! Our spring session (April & May) of Saturday beginner classes will focus on late 18th and early 19th century country dances. You can attend a single month or purchase a session package that includes the ball for a discounted cost through the link.
