Led by June Harman, club members demonstrated English Country Dance at the Jane Austen Tea held August 23^rd at the Billings Estate Museum. In the photo to the right we are doing the Grand March led by June & David. We are joined in this dance by Jane Austen character actors. Guests were encouraged to join in all the dances which also included Halfe Hannikin and Lilliburlero. Live music was provided thanks to Milan Skubnik (violin) and Edith Troup (keyboard).

July/20, 2013 OECDC dancers performed a demonstration of English Country Dancing in the village of Crysler, Ontario.

The event was part of the John Crysler Celebration held in Crysler, about an hour east of Ottawa and not to be confused with Crysler Farm on the St Lawrence river. Although, as we learned, the two locations are tightly linked.

Pictured are, left to right: Jane S, Graham Thompson, Mary N, Christine, Lucy, Margaret, Andrew, Mary Williams, Irfona Larkin, Anne Thornton Hill, Godfrey Williams, John Nash & Janet.

You will find more detail in this article from The Chesterville Record promoting the event. A Facebook Page includes a great photographic record of village life in the 19th century. The short Wikipedia article on John Crysler needs a bit of work. It indicates only that the village was named after him, we learned during the evening that it was in fact his home for many years and he was central to its development. The speaker acknowledged that tracking down the history was something of a task.

Thanks to the organizers for their donation to the OECDC and an enjoyable feast.

August 6, 2012 - Club members demonstrate English Country Dance during Col By Day. The annual event is held near the By Town Museum, Ottawa, at the foot of the cascade of locks on the Rideau Canal where it joins the Ottawa River.

The pictures were taken by Helen, a passing cyclist, who stopped to watch as we danced "Our Brief Encounters". We were joined by a young lad at one point. Later we had to contend with a boom as a nearby loch gate was opened, our small dance space already hemmed in by a steep bank on the far side.

Dancing are Mary (blue) who kept us in order, Godfrey (black), Suzette (white), Robert (red), Margaret (pink) & Graham (yellow). In other dances we were joined by Andrew and Mary N. John (white + hat) introduced and called the dances. He can be seen with an official (dark blue) helping said young lad. Thanks to the official who did double duty standing astride the boom helping us avoid tripping on it.

Below is the official Heritage Ottawa Colonel By Day Banner.

August 1, 2011 - English Country Dance demonstration at Col By Day event. The event, which is held on the August Ontario Civic Holiday, is outside the By Town Museum near the cascade of locks on the Rideau Canal where it joins the Ottawa River.

Summer 2007 at Pinhey's Point, Kanata, dancers from OECDC demonstrate English Country Dance.

Seated left: Mary W, Mary N, Pamela, Angela

Back left: The Playford Players (Alf - mandolin, Elizabeth - fiddle, Jim - keyboard), Godfrey, Robert, John, Babs, Nigel, Sue, Colin.

June 19, 2005 - Club members demonstrate English Country Dance at Pinhey's Point historic site by the Ottawa River. In case you were wondering, we only dress like this for special events. Back Row: Gregory, Avril, Nigel, Sue, Colin, Rhonda, Tom, Robert, Alf (The Playford Players), Milan & Godfrey Front Row: Shirley, Angela, Michelle, Mary W, Kathryn, Elizabeth (The Playford Players), & Mary Jane Dancing but not in above group photo: John, Mary N & Jenny