keeping our heritage alive: English Country Dancing Volume 1*~

"What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy!--There is nothing like dancing after all-- I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished societies."

Pride and Prejudice 

Easy to follow, step by step instructions. Jaunty, fast paced Celtic fiddle music. Whimsical pastel skirts and neat Civil War uniforms; English Country Dancing Volume 1 is a fun introduction to English Country and American folk-style dancing. Recently Garret Stowe, a homeschooled filmmaker, asked me to review his documentary on my blog--and as a fellow ECDer, I was more than thrilled with the opportunity!!

In the films intro Garret mentioned something that is very dear to my heart. . .Unlike most dance styles, English Country Dancing (aka ECD) is an absolutely clean, modest style of dance--an historical art--that the entire family can participate in, from the littlest child to the oldest grandfather. As the documentary continues, we are swept on a Victorian journey outlining Ball etiquette and customs {that are often still followed today.} 

Garret explains his mission here: 

As homeschoolers, many of us love studying about that span in history - from the eighteenth century up through the Civil War - that gave rise to so many great events and brilliant minds.  Most also enjoy the beautiful dances from that era.  With so much anti-family recreation out there, the old dances are a wonderful way to have good old fashioned fun!  Recently, I completed an instructional documentary that combines the beauty of the Civil War/Victorian era dances with my love for history.  This 30 minute film covers 6 period dances complete with step-by-step instructions, dance excerpts, and historical information on etiquette and customs of the day.  For pictures of the production process and screen shots of the finished product, visit the following site:

www.christianfilmmakers.org/forums/viewthread/9526/P10

If you'd like to purchase a copy of your own, you can email me directly or visit my website www.repairingthebreachmedia.wordpress.com and click theBuy it Now button on the right hand side-bar.   The DVD  is $13 with free s&h. Payment is accepted via check or PayPal (sorry, orders placed via my website are PayPal only - we appreciate your understanding).  Thanks so much for your interest.   

~Garrett Stowe

gstowe@hughes.net  

You've more then likely watched videos from the various Balls I've attended (if you read this blog regularly, you're at least familiar with ECD. ;) ) If you've seen any of the Jane Austen movies (ie Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, etc,) you KNOW exactly what style of dancing I mean. English Country Dancing Volume 1 is you're guide to learning simple dances such as the Virginia Reel, Patticake Polka, Solider's Joy, and several more. The step-by-step instructions and visuals are VERY helpful. . .and it is a treat to watch this talented group of young people perform each dance. Seriously, I can't get over how much I love the ladies skirts! They lend something special to the free-spirited, folk inspired feeling of the video. . . Because these dances are truly steeped in tradition, social graces, the natural inclination to socialize, tap our feet to a fast-paced tune--join together as families and friends in good old fashion fun. 

This is what English Country Dancing Volume 1 is all about--keeping the art of a begone era alive, the stuff that we still enjoy today: dancing. In the most beautiful, wholesome way possible. Check out Garret's site and order you're own copy today! I'd love to hear about you're ECD adventures. Trust me, once you begin, there is an itch that begs for more--another Ball. Another excuse for taking out that old fiddle.   

Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

Psalm 149:3

Someday...

i am going to live here.

or at least someplace like it, providing the sea is close by. yep. a tiny village in europe where the market is always bustling, the little old toothless men gather at street corners to play folk music, and the average lunch consists of  the sharpest cheese atop crusty artisan bread.  

ah...daydreams.

PRESENTING: Cookin' Thanksgiving dinner with Mich and her favorite Kid.

This is us, as ourselves, fooling around today in the kitchen. Still not sure how or when Anna acquired the nickname "Kid" - I'm the only one who calls her that. :P hehe

Ahhh...what a day. Just about absolutely perfect.

Italian opera...the lingering scent of the sugar cookie candle I burned yesterday...all mingled with the stunningly delicious holiday aroma of Thanksgiving dinner prep.

Love.

{my mom took the videos - I'm in the Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt and fruity apron. It's a little old, but I love it 'cause it was sent from Zia Lucia in Italy. Oh, and the talk of  "don't  put these up", and "I'm un-tagging myself" is in reference to facebook. ;) }

Take one:

Take two:

At last, the infamous "church potatoes!" 

PS: for those of you who know I have a slight aversion toward  most female singers  - *ahem* I actually really love the voice of the Soprano singing with Pavarotti (in the first vid.) She isn't screechy. Unfortunately I don't know her name. :-/   

The worlds most incredible tenor...

How does one describe the voice of the worlds most incredible tenor?

{Here are some adjectives I would use}

* Angelic*

* Gorgeous*

* Breathtaking*

*Spine tingling*

* Passionate*

* Moving*

* Dramatic* *Pure* *Dreamy* *Gifted**God given* *Inspiring* *Romantic* *Soothing* *Poetic*

Andrea Bocelli.

<--click --->

My mom was born in Italy, so I have a HUGE appreciation for Italian music. Please don't convince yourself that you can't enjoy Andrea simply because he speaks Italian! ;)

Just listen to this man's voice - he has a range no other singer can attain...

~*~ Here is just a tiny taste of Andrea - enjoy! ~*~

{Con te Partiro}

You may have heard 'Time to Say Goodbye' with Sarah Brightman.

(Andrea is an operatic and classical cross-over artist.)

Con te is essentially the Italian version of 'Time to Say Goodbye',

and is simply stunning, might I add.

Its truly one of my all time favorite songs!

:sigh:

Whoever composed this piece is a master!

(and of course Andrea is the only artist

who can sing it *correctly*, hehe)

{Dell' Amore Non Si Sa}

I'm not sure if anyone else will appreciate this song, but I really enjoy it - and I love the way this particular video was filmed!

{Andrea's story}

Just beautiful. And doesn't he seem like a sweetheart? Really, I think his blindness has kept him humble, unlike most celebrities - he just seems like the nicest, most genuine fellow. :)

~*~ Don't forget to check out my play list for more Andrea selections! ~*~