The 2025 Jefferson Ball
the jefferson ball
The Richmond dancers cordially invite you to join us for the 2025 Jefferson Ball. Our ball traditionally is held on the first Saturday of November and is the highlight of our dancing year. This year live music will be provided by Trio Con Brio, a popular English Dance band featuring Paul Oorts, Jonathan Jensen, and Elke Baker, each of which is an accomplished and delightful musician in their own right. Two of our modern dances, Candles in the Dark and Juniata, are set to tunes composed by Jonathan Jensen. Our program is a mix of favorites from the early Playford manuscripts, dances popular in the American colonies, and new dances choreographed in the traditional style. All attendees must pre-register for the ball, we regret that we cannot accept registrations at the door due to county regulations.
PREPARATION
Brand new dancers should attend class for a couple of months to learn the basics of dancing and become familiar with the ball dances. All of our Wednesday sessions in September and October will teach some ball dances. On the day of the ball we have a free review session of the more difficult dances at the Belmont ballroom from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.
ATTIRE
Formal attire is requested to help make the evening festive. Colonial or Regency attire reflect the historic origins of this dance tradition, but are not required. Suits, kilts, or tuxes for men and evening gowns or party dresses for ladies are also warmly welcomed.
THE SCHEDULE, LOCATION, and PROGRAM
The free afternoon ball review session runs from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the ballroom at the Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 Hilliard Rd., Richmond, VA 23228
The ball will begin promptly at 6:30 pm with The Minuet, followed by English Country Dances. The interval provides time to socialize and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and desserts. The ballroom doors open at 6 pm, and we ask for your help with cleanup at the end so the staff can close the building promptly at 11 pm. The country dances are listed in alphabetical order below with an approximate indication of their difficulty (E = easy, M = Moderate, D = Difficult). The actual order of dances will be posted in the ballroom. Each dancer will receive a ball booklet with written ball instructions as an aide-mémoire.
Ani's Waltz (E)
Bartlett House (M)
Beauteous Grove (M)
Candles in the Dark (M)
Dunsmuir Waltz (M)
Halfe Hannikin (E)
Hazelfern Place (D)
Jamaica (M)
Jefferson and Liberty (E)
Juniata (E)
Mutual Love (E)
Newcastle (D)
Prince of Westborough (E)
St Margaret's Hill (M)
The Ash Grove (E)
The French Lady (E)
The Punch Bowl (D)
The Round (M)
The Two Lindas (M)
Well Donne (E)