1860's Dixie Dancers 19th Century Dancing

1860'S DIXIE DANCERS

1 9th C e n t u r y D a n c i n g

dixie bar

         Dancing in the 1860's style is unlike the strictly couple-orientated modern style dancing. 19th Century social dances generally involved groups of couples and were conducted so that everyone at a Formal Ball could mingle and dance with various partners, as well as meet new partners. This type of dancing ensured that no one would be left out of a crowd, and that everyone would have a chance to dance and have a good time. Social dancing required groups of dancers to interact with each other in the formations of their circles, squares and lines. Mixer dances required the participants to change partners and permitted men and women to meet new people without the formality of an actual introduction. Mixer dances were always quite popular, especially the Patty-Cake Polka and the Carolina Promenade.
         To have even more fun dancing, join a reenacting group! Many reenactment events across the country include Saturday night dances as part of their schedules. Some of the more well-attended events have attracted between 600 to 800 people, who dance to live period music performed by well known bands.
         Also, you must be a member of a reenacting unit in order to be involved in the making of a Civil War movie or Documentary. Other activities that reenactors do are Living History events performing a first-person impression of an 1860's character, school educational programs and parades.