Students practiced traditional European dances, drank punch, and snacked on Victorian-era sweets at the Cravats and Bluestockings Regency Ball last Saturday.

The dance was themed around the children’s show “Over the Garden Wall,” which combined nostalgia with autumnal themes, according to Cravats and Bluestockings president, junior Madeleine Choe.

Attendees participated in English country dances such as the Virginia Reel, practiced Spanish flamenco routines, and ended the night with some polka moves.

Choe said Cravats and Bluestockings seeks to provide students with Regency-themed events.

“In 2008, a group of students started this club because they wanted there to be a club to foster appreciation and education about the Regency period of England,” Choe said. “Since then, however, it’s expanded a bit more. As you can see, we’re not limiting ourselves to just Regency dances, but we do have a kind of aesthetic, which I think a lot of people at this college appreciate.”

Choe said the Regency tradition of dressing up, socializing with ballroom dance, and discussing topics over tea should be continued as it is a lighthearted way to make friends.

“I’d say the culture of holding balls is something I really appreciate, and a great way to get to know people,” Choe said. “I kind of wish that we did it more often. I’d say there were a lot of traditions in the Regency period, which are very enjoyable and a good way to get to know people casually, that I think this campus really benefits them.

Choe said she would like to expand the club’s Regency culture, such as expanding the club’s afternoon tea time activities.
“I would definitely like us to incorporate a bit more of the educational aspect into the tea times we’ve discussed, doing weekly or monthly poetry readings,” Choe said. “We’ve also discussed retaking Naval Battle because it used to be a Cravats and Blue Stockings thing, or trying to somehow sponsor it. I definitely think that side of the Regency aesthetic is something that I’d like to bring to Hillsdale.”

Senior Abi Laiming, the lessons coordinator for the Hillsdale Ballroom Dance Club, attended to help with the event. Laiming said her passion for ballroom dancing started during high school as a way to bond with her siblings, exercise, and meet new people.

“Ballroom dancing is a way for people to meet each other, to express themselves through dance and in motion and in a healthy way, and to just socialize or learn a new skill,” Laiming said. “There’s a lot of really great things about ballroom, and I’m sad that it’s not as mainstream as it used to be. And so I’m really glad that Hillsdale is unique and that it has a culture that can cultivate these kinds of interests, and I want to keep it going.”

Laiming said labeling dancing as a “fundie” hobby discourages many to see how enjoyable traditional dancing is.

“People shouldn’t be ashamed of things that aren’t labeled as traditionally cool,” Laiming said. “Being cool is overrated, and it’s way more interesting to spend a Friday night dancing and talking and learning how to flip each other over your shoulders than drinking and convulsing to pop music without any skill or anything. I think traditional dancing is way better than our culture’s usual parties.”

Laiming said learning ballroom dancing can be useful later in life. 

“It’s not a bad skill to have — a waltz at a wedding, those things pop up,” Laiming said.

Laiming went on to say that by partaking in dances such as ballroom dancing, students are performing the same dances that Jane Austen, the Founding Fathers, and their grandparents did.

Junior Mighael Liebenberg, who won as this year’s Mr. Hilldale, attended the ball and said he enjoyed expanding his dancing repertoire. 

“I grew up with Sokkie dancing in South Africa, and this is very different,” Liebenberg said. “But it’s a very nice moment to learn different styles and be incorporated into American and Spanish dancing.”

Liebenberg said dancing exposes people to different cultures in a fun, easygoing way, and Hillsdale students are missing out if they do not attend events such as the Regency Ball.

“It’s a lot of fun to be able to step out of whatever cultural dance you’re used to,” Liebenberg said.