The Victoria English Country Dance Society holds a Ball every other year on the odd-year, while the Vancouver English Country Dance Community has traditionally held its ball every “even” year. This is a one day event — though we make a weekend of it: a Friday evening dance, Saturday workshops to teach the dances, a Saturday dance to enjoy the dances, and often a Sunday brunch hosted by a member of our dance community. Dancers come from far-and-wide, our Dancehall Players bring the tunes, and our callers come by invitation. We dust off our finery, and generally…have a ball!

Coming up: The 2025 Victoria Ball — April 11–13: to be held at the Edelweiss Hall (in James Bay).

The 2023 Victoria Ball, April 14-16: Even as we mourn the sudden loss of our dance leader—Rosemary Lach, just two weeks prior to the ball—we know for certain that she would have insisted we move forward. And so we have. Laura Mé Smith was willing to step into the breach and with much hard work over these past two weeks, has managed to recreate Rosemary’s program of dances and workshops. No small feat. We’re honoured (and immensely relieved) that, true to form, she chose to honour Rosemary in this way. 

Introducing Laura Mé Smith: Laura Mé Smith (Seattle) has been teaching (and entertaining dancers) since 1980. She says, “I’ve been dancing and calling since they invented dirt.”  She began English Country Dancing at university in the 70s, and started calling dances in Seattle by 1988. Her repertoire encompasses a variety of dances: English Country dance, contras and squares, many types of couple dances, and a smattering of folkdances. She is known for clear and concise instructions,  saying that her goal is to leave more time to enjoy dancing to the wonderful tunes these dances use. Laura Mé is also known for helping dancers of all skill levels achieve maximum fun, from raucous wedding reception bashes to elegant balls.  She enjoys teaching in an entertaining way as much as she enjoys calling. Laura Mé and her husband Mark—who met on the dance floor some 21 years ago—live with Max, “most spoiled macaw ever.” As to her day job—where she is gainfully employed by a number of Seattle opera, ballet, and theatre companies—she says, “I make out-of-date clothing for people who don’t really exist.”

The Dance Program (see also instructions and links)