Flashing Downton

A couple of years ago, a Regency ball that Jason and I went to with a few friends introduced us to Old Glory Vintage Dancers. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with old-school dancing and Jason’s discovered that he doesn’t totally hate it. This September we stepped our era-appropriate feet up publicly and on the air. Allow me to share our timeless tale of old-timey fame.

Jason and I have been attending vintage dance classes ever since we discovered that they existed, long enough that we know all of the regulars and most of the dances now. Basically, our skills have reached that “you don’t suck” level. Hence, the demand for our footwork is currently at an all-time high…the orders are trickling in.

Our first performance in September was at the South Town Farmers Market. Our dance teacher was asked to organize a vintage flash mob for this agricultural gathering and we were one of the couples invited to participate. The rest of the performers just blended in with the crowd but Jason and I were selected to wear period attire, specifically Regency, and begin the flash along with our teacher. Mobbing turned out to be a lot of fun even though our last dance got pretty jumbled due to one confused flasher.

Our next public appearance was only a couple of days later and on live television. KSL AM was doing a few segments on the Highclere Castle Edwardian Ball, a Downton-Abbey-themed party that our teacher was putting on, and they needed some demonstration dancers. Jason and I were one of four couples involved in that step exposition. We had to dance three different pieces, which we were only somewhat familiar with…I did mention that this was live didn’t I? Shockingly, the twinkle toeing went very smoothly. However, the reporter, Jenn Hardman, decided to interview Jason and me and, although she prepped us a few minutes beforehand, she un-prepped us by asking completely different questions than those she had primed us for. The result? Some stammering and nervous looks dispensed publicly and preserved on camera. But what’s live media without a wee bit of embarrassment?

Jason and I attended the Highclere Castle Edwardian Ball itself, not just the advertisement for it, and got another chance to Castle Walk and Briar Gavotte. It was a nostalgic evening with charm aplenty.

I’m keen on moving my feet. For me, smiles and giggles are unavoidable when twirling and hopping on the dance floor. Getting an opportunity to wear antique apparel just adds another layer of glee to something already joyful. Good thing because Jason and I have two more performances scheduled in December.