Come Dance in May!

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a May Tea Dance hosted by Hamilton English Country Dancers (HECD) and Dundas Museum and Archives. The HECD performed at the museum before, but I had been too shy to participate. At the May Tea Dance, I stepped out of my comfort zone (ha!) and joined the English country dancing. So what if I have two left feet and didn't know any of the steps?!?

Source: Internet

FANTASY: I was Elizabeth Bennett dancing gracefully at the Netherfield Ball.

Photo Credit: My Mom

REALITY: This dancing newbie (in the purple top on the left) bungled up some of the steps. 

A caller taught us the moves and prompted the dance figures. There were also a couple of fiddlers who provided live music accompaniment to our dancing. The experienced dancers were very welcoming and forgave my missteps. I really enjoyed English Country Dancing (a great low-impact exercise!), but some of the circular formations made me a little dizzy!

Artsy Tea Table #1

Artsy Tea Table #2

Our artsy tea table.

Dancing worked up my appetite for tea and light refreshments.

Source: Internet

May I have this dance?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea in the Garden

Dancing in the Street

Exactly one year ago today, I was in Calgary, Alberta where I had the privilege of attending a free (!!!) outdoor tea dance that celebrated the Fairmont Palliser's centennial birthday. 

All were welcome to attend the vintage-themed tea dance--an ode to the popular 1920s and 1930s tea dances hosted by the Palliser.

On the front street of the hotel, dancers from the Toe Tappin' Swing company jived to the Summit Big Band to get the tea party started.

As a throwback to the days of yore, partiers were encouraged dress up in vintage attire. These individuals were the strong contenders for the Best Costume Awards.

The Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi, talked about the role of the Fairmont Palliser in Calgary's history. Back in the 1910s, it was unheard of to build a luxury hotel in the middle of the prairies. If you build it, they will come... 

...one hundred years later and Calgary is a thriving metropolis and the Palliser is one of the finest hotels in the city! You can learn more about the hotel's interesting history here.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at the front entrance of the hotel.

The lobby featured a replica of the Fairmont Palliser and the cake for the cake-cutting ceremony.

The birthday cake was served buffet-style in the lobby.

Guests helped themselves to the Fairmont's exclusive blend of Breakfast Tea (it tasted a little bitter to me so I think the tea was oversteeped).

The table centerpieces were bone china teacups filled with lilacs.

  Here's to another century of the Palliser's Western hospitality!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tea Time Tuesday

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

  Tea in the Garden
Mosaic Monday