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Evening Dances. Reconstruction The Second Civil War at Huntington Beach Central Park 2016

1,194 views · Published 9 September 2016 · 16:36 · Indexed 29 October 2026

Channel: Alex Abrazura · 2016 · Travel & Events

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CIVIL WAR Dancing DAYS
Dancing was enjoyed by almost everyone in America during the Civil War – North and South, young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural. During the 1860s, a ball was one way to forget, at least for an evening, the "fiery trial" of the Civil War. 

Unlike modem dancing that is couple-oriented, dancing in the mid-Victorian era was much more "social". Most dances were done in the “open position” (couple standing side-by-side) in formations of circles, squares or lines, with the couple interacting with other couples. “Closed position” dances like the waltz and polka were considered scandalous in some communities and were generally done by young people and the urban fashionable upper classes.

It was considered ill-mannered to dance with the same partner all evening. Everyone at a ball had a social duty to mingle and to ensure that everyone else had a pleasant time. Although there were strict rules of behavior, they tended to add an agreeable degree of formality and decorum that has been lost in today's world. The Victorian Dance Ensemble is dedicated to recreating the grace and beauty of this bygone era.

Since there are no films of 1860s dancing, no one knows exactly how dances were performed. The Victorian Dance Ensemble has recreated its dances from a variety of sources, including period dance manuals, dance master's hand written notes, diaries and letters, and even drawings of dances. It is clear from primary sources that there was considerable variation in dancing, based on social class, urban or rural residence, age of dancers, geographic area, ethnic group, and whether the dancers took professional dance lessons. 

The dances performed and taught by the Ensemble are its interpretation of the dances based on members’ research. Other dancers may have different interpretations and this is quite in keeping with the practice of the period. Several dance manuals and other sources often note that there are variations of particular dances. Etiquette of the time period, however, dictated that dancers should always follow the directions of the dance master. If you attended a ball and a dance was performed in a different manner than you were used to, you were expected to follow the dance master’s directions. 

Dancing has relevance to the military side of the era since dancing could also be considered the first “drill” for young men who would become soldiers during the Civil War. The formation dances taught right from left, how to keep marching time, how to maneuver in a formation, and the importance of team work.

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