English Country Dancers
Watch Their Steps
By Pat Krumpan

English Country Dance might be making a huge comeback -- thanks to the newly-released "Pride And Prejudice" movie based on writer Jane Austen's book.

When you get down to it, this type of dance -- which dates back to 16th century England -- is a sophisticated, elaborate line dance, but it's far from "stuffy," according to the locals who enjoy it.

If you watch closely you can identify elements of square and contra dancing, which came centuries later, but have some similarities such as using a square formation, twirling your partner arm in arm or dancing in circles.

"Callers" keep the pace going by reminding dancers when to turn, especially during the trickier moves, according to Ellen Riley, organizer of the San Diego English Country Dancers in Poway.

Riley, now a part-time librarian at the Poway Library, started the group about five years ago.

"The music and the dance are so incredible," Riley said. "It tranports me right back to the Jane Austen era."

People practically glide across the wooden floor at the Jean Hart Academy of Dance in Poway, captivated by the music and the varied steps alike.

During Sunday's introduction of "Dubin Bay," which isn't a standard and had some intricate moves, dancers met the challenge with lots of smiles and giggles.

"You have to remember where you are in your four-partner group and where you're supposed to be, " said John Forester, originally from England, now in his 70s.

"Steps can be complicated, but your rewards are grace and style," said Forester, who learned English dance from his mother in the 1940s.

One male dancer said that he was quite surprised that this style of dance isn't "fru fru," or too formal, which is the main reason that he keeps returning to the Poway studio.

A core group -- with almost equal parts men and women -- arrives every Sunday from all over San Diego County, many from Carlsbad and Escondido.

Bev "Amsbary of Escondido, a one-year member, enjoys the "open arms" attitude about teaching novices some of the basic steps, she said.

Male partners have shown patience, giving enough time for her to learn the steps at a pace that she can handle, she added.

"It really gets in your blood," Amsbary said, "And, it's really good for your mind."

"Of course, it helps if you know your left foot from your right," she said.

Brittan Salisbury, a college student from Carlsbad, has been studying ballet for as long as she can remember and decided to give English dance a whirl, mostly because it's graceful and old-fashioned.

"I like the way it flows together," she said. "It's fun, graceful and great exercise."

Sunday was the second time that she joined the session in Poway.

Salisbury, who will be attending "The Jane Austen Evening" on Jan. 21 in Pasadena, has sewn a white ball gown to match the 1820-era of what women during Austen's time would have worn.

The Pasadena event will feature a tea, discussion group, dinner and dance from 3 to 11:30 p.m. at the Masonic Hall in Pasadena.

Anyone who wants to catch up with the English country dance-style in time for the ball, can drop in to learn the steps every Sunday at the Jean Hart Academy of Dance at 12227 Poway Road. Each session costs $6.

For more details about this dance group, call Riley at (858)486-9160.