Cuckoo Assembly Dancers
Cuckoo, Virginia
|
|
The Cuckoo Assembly Dancers are located in beautiful Cuckoo, Virginia. We dance in the style of English Country Dancing (commonly called colonial dancing. This dancing was popular in the 18th century, but we consider it popular in the 21st!
During the warm months, you can find us dancing on the back porch of historical Glen Beau (pictured on the right) every Friday evening at 8:00 PM.
The cool weather will chase indoors, to the fellowship hall at Gilboa Christian Church.
You and your family are welcome to join us for a memorable evening of dancing!
|
 |
 |
Our Hosts
Ward and Mona Harkrader began English Country Dancing in Louisa County in 1976.
Since then, they have graciously offered their beautiful home as the location for the annual Louisa Plantation Ball, held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.
Dancers from around the world have enjoyed the colonial atmosphere that is created by the boxwoods, fountains, gardens, and peacocks that fill the Harkrader estate.
|
 |
 |
Our Dance Masters
Along with Ward, the Cuckoo Assembly is taught by Jerry Reynolds and Jack Maus.
Never danced in the colonial style before? No problem...our dance masters will teach all the steps needed for each song before actually playing the music.
As we often say to newcomers, "as long as you know your left from your right (and we can help with that as well), you can do colonial dancing!"
|
 |
Directions
To Glen Beau:
Traveling on Interstate, Route 64, you should take the Gum Spring Exit onto Route 522 North to Cuckoo. Route 522 intersects with Route 33. You will then take a right-hand turn to proceed East on Route 33 towards Richmond for approximately three miles to the entrance to the driveway, which is directly opposite Route 612. 612 turns to the left, and the driveway turns to the right.
To Gilboa Christian Church:
Traveling on Interstate, Route 64, you should take the Gum Spring Exit onto Route 522 North to Cuckoo. Route 522 intersects with Route 33. You will then take a right-hand turn to proceed East on Route 33 towards Richmond for approximately 1/4 mile to the parking lot of the brick church, on the right. The fellowship hall door is toward the back of the building.
|
 |
Invite Jerry Reynolds to call your next ball!
Looking for a fun event for your community group, and need someone to teach your group how to dance in the colonial style?
Want a safe, fun, and family-oriented activity for your home-school group?
Not sure how to start an English Country Dance group in your area?
--------------------------------------------
Jerry Reynolds, English Country Dance Master for 5+ years, has helped many people of all ages "get their feet wet" with colonial dancing.
With his own blend of relaxed teaching style, humor, and patience, he can provide a great afternoon or evening of entertainment for your group. People will leave with a smile on their face and wonderful memories of a beautiful event.
If you are close by his area of Cuckoo, he can even bring along some of the Cuckoo Assembly Dancers, and they will be able to help teach along with him.
Jerry has taught colonial dancing in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Texas.
Groups have been as small as 10, and up to 250 at a time.
Events have included formal colonial balls, historical re-enactments, informal get-togethers and parties, county fairs, family graduations, home-school retreats and support group meetings, in public schools, and indoors and outdoors.
He has taught alongside live musicians (hired separately) or he can bring his own collection of colonial music, with a sound system.
Wherever there's enough people to dance, he can be there to make your event special.
A typical event would consist of Jerry teaching a variety of colonial-era dances:- He would first walk the group through the moves of a certain dance
- When everyone feels comfortable with the steps, the music would start!
- This would then be repeated for a number of other dances, until everyone is "danced out" :-)
For more information, contact Jerry directly through email: reynoljw@compmathonline.com
|
|
