Students had the chance to step back in time when practicing classical dances for the Jane Austen Yule Ball in the Hinckley Building. This is a dance that is held every year and brings students together to learn and socialize. Danielle, a leader of the event, teaches all the styles of dance and helps with behind the scenes.
“So we do regency style dancing which is kind of what you see in the Jane Austen period movies. It’s sort of like fancy line dancing. “ said Danielle Gorman, leader of the event. “That’s what we call it. You can see it behind me. It is generally done on a ¾ or 4/4 beat. We’ll have lines of people and the lines will go across the ballroom. We’ll have hundreds of people dancing all at once doing the same thing and everyone’s in sync. It looks fabulous. We have lights everywhere and its has a nice Christmas feel to it. Its full name is Jane Austen Yule Ball, and most people when they hear Yule they don’t realize that means Christmas they think it has something to do with Harry Potter because of the Yule Ball in Harry Potter. It’s Christmas themed every year.”
Many of the students have seen the Jane Austen movies and shared what they are looking forward to.
“I love the dances that they’re all choreographed so it’s not people doing their own thing. It’s beautiful and simple but it all comes together and it’s awesome to see,” said Bailey Peavler.
Practices for the Jane Austen Yule Ball are on Thursdays from 7-9pm in Hinckley 286. The Jane Austen Yule Ball will be held on December 6th from 7-11pm in the MC grand Ballroom.