A Dance for the Ages
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Published on Sunday, 17 February 2013 19:57
A 19th-century quadrille might not be danced often in southwest Florida, but about 100 Ave Maria University students danced it and other traditional dances at the school's annual 19th-century ball Saturday night.
The event has been an annual tradition for more than a decade, beginning when Ave Maria University was first founded as Ave Maria College in Michigan. Since its beginning, dances have been taught and co-ordinated by Cathy Stephens, a professional "dance mistress" and dance historian who teaches traditional dances throughout North America.
Although there are other dances at AMU during the year, this is the only one featuring century-old dances and period costumes.
"The Ave Maria students are very special," Mrs. Stephens said. "I love watching them learning these dances and seeing the smiles on their faces." Above, in foreground, Leah Johanni and John Miller. Below right, Miss Johanni and Mr. Miller with Colleen Kilpatrick and David Kiernan.
Ms. Stephens gave lessons in the ballroom on the Thursday and Friday night preceding the dance, so those attending the ball would be familiar with the steps. Some were first-time learners; others had been attending the dance for several years, and were more or less brushing up. The costumes at the dance Saturday night often reflected the years of attendance at the event - those who attended over several years were most likely to have more elaborate costumes, having developed their period attire over a number of years.
The dance, which was organized this year by AMU senior Sally Marie Schunke, followed a sit-down steak and shrimp dinner, and during the dance itself, etiquette of the period was observed. "Gentleman did not ask one lady to dance over and over again," pointed out Ms. Stephens at one of the rehearsals. "They danced with various ladies over the course of the evening, although they typically danced the last dance with the lady they had brought to the event - very much like the sentiment in the song, 'Save the Last Dance for Me.' " The gentlemen also followed the etiquette of escorting the ladies to and from the dance floor, and the custom of seeking dances and recording them in a dance card.
"Most college-age students don't want to participate in an event like this one," noted Ms. Stephens. "They think it's uncool. The students at AMU are very, very special, and they totally get it."
Left, the dance had a Sherlock Holmes theme, and featured an intermission performance of a Holmes-related mystery.
Below, right, Mrs. Stephens and her husband, William, demonstrate the Bohemian National Polka.
