Lewes Friends frolic at Colonial dance in Williamsburg

Aletta Clowes Clarke, age 25, who lived about 13 miles outside Lewes, wrote in her diary Dec. 28, 1792: “All went to Russels’ to a Frolic. Paid ½ of a dollar a piece. Got back about 2 o’clock.” Aletta noted that in Sussex County there had been many “Christmas Frolics” held, and during one that took place at John Conwell’s, there was sufficient alcohol that “even John Clarke got to dancing!”

Frolics were house parties where guests could expect dancing in the English country manor style, which was very popular with George Washington and other Colonial-era notables. Dance assembly groups sponsored balls, and these were posh, elegant affairs that usually lasted throughout the night.

Members of Lewes Friends, a local group of Colonial dance enthusiasts, attended the George Washington Ball held March 5 in Williamsburg, Va., hosted by the Williamsburg Heritage Dancers. Ball preparations included creating proper attire, mastering 20 challenging, advanced dance forms, and brushing up on Colonial-era etiquette.

Lewes Friends members got their start doing demonstration dances at the Lewes Historical Society’s Burton Ingram House Aug. 22, 2018. Organizer Rachael Shapiro said they have come a long way since then, adding more hours of dance instruction, practices and demonstration performances. “We are a not-for-profit, self-sustaining group who dance for the joy it gives us and those who attend our performances,” she said.

Carol West is the dance mistress for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Lewes and a caller/instructor for the Lewes Friends. Sallie Ridgway and Dan Bilharz completed the Lewes Friends caller/instructor team, and all of them were attendees at the ball. The dancers also received invaluable instruction from guest caller Jackie McCabe of Dover. Rachael Shapiro, Tom Whittendale and Norine Bilharz were other attendees representing Lewes Friends at the George Washington Ball.

For information on hosting Lewes Friends English Country Dancers demonstration dances, contact Rachael Shapiro at rachaelss@icloud.com.