Dance Under the Stars at A Midsummer Night's Ball
As part of the July Living History Weekend, Compass Inn Museum cordially invites you on Saturday, July 15th from 6:30-10 pm to dance the night away in Laughlintown at “A Midsummer Night’s Ball” under the stars like Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy of the Regency Era novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or the hit Netflix series Bridgerton!
Once guests have arrived, they will be greeted by the sounds of 19th-century music before being ushered under the grand tent and onto the dance floor. While spinning and swaying under the moonlight, guests will get to experience a piece of the past for themselves and discover a new meaning behind the timeless tradition of dance. Should guests find themselves thirsty or hungry, they can find their way to the cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for a refreshment before getting back to the night’s exciting activities!
“A Midsummer Night’s Ball” will feature local dancing master, Brett Walker, with accompanying period music by The Wayward Companions. Brett Walker – a historic shoemaker by trade – has been doing 18th &19th century dance since 2002, including four years as part of the Colonial Williamsburg Dance Ensemble, where he was trained to be a Dancing Master and became well-versed in the history, language, and customs surrounding this form of communal entertainment. Mr. Walker currently lives near the historic town of Ligonier, PA and has taught period dance classes for Fort Ligonier Museum and Woodville, the late 18th century home of John & Presley Neville near Pittsburgh. He currently continues teaching classes in Ligonier and Pittsburgh and now teaches with the Loyalhanna 18th Century English Dance Society.
The Wayward Companions is a historical music ensemble with members from diverse backgrounds. They perform the music of the 18th & 19th centuries with a versatility that can take one back to the ballrooms, parlors, taverns, military encampments, and everyday life in which music played an integral part of both genteel and popular society. The Wayward Companions transport their audiences to times past in a vibrant and engaging way.
“Ligonier Valley Historical Society’s “A Midsummer Night’s Ball” turned out wonderfully last year, with attendees wanting to dance even longer into the night, and we are expecting more of the same out this special event for 2023. Brett Walker does wonderful work in orchestrating the dances while making the experience entirely beginner-friendly and will be joined again by the beautiful period music of the Wayward Companions. With or without dance experience, A Midsummer Night’s Ball is not something you will want to miss,” said Theresa Gay Rohall, Executive Director of LVHS and Compass Inn Museum.
Period clothing of any style is encouraged! Event tickets are $50 per member and $55 per nonmember and are available for purchase here or find the landing through our website at compassinn.org/eventcalendar. Refreshments are included in the ticket price. There are no refunds for tickets.
