The Ruck Ruck Galop Dance
An Invitation to Dance: A History of Social Dance in America is an online exhibition by the American Antiquarian Society. The essays and illustrations provide a terrific overview to the history of social dance, which is an important part of American history. In the 18th and 19th centuries, dancing was a very popular social event. Dances were fun for family and friends, but also provided a place to find romance and network – socially and politically.
The exhibition looks not only at the social aspects but also the language of dance and music, the fashion trends and the rules of etiquette of the time. An excellent bibliography will help you find more resources on the subject.
detail from a ticket for a Bal Masque in Worcester, Massachusetts
Want to see these dances in action? Check out America Dances! 1897-1948: A Collector’s Edition of Social Dance in Film by Dancetime Publications (Greenfield Library DVD, GD 344). We also have a new book on the subject – Ballroom, Boogie, Shimmy Sham, Shake: A Social and Popular Dance Reader by Julie Malnig (available in Greenfield Library and the Music Library). And don’t forget to search Dance in Video for the subject “social dances“.