A night of music, dancing and food, the annual Medieval Fair Ball will be held Saturday in the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.
Ann Marie Eckart, OU Outreach program coordinator and project director of the Medieval Fair Department, said the ball was created as a way for the fair’s musicians and dancers to share their craft.
“One of the cast’s favorite things is learning songs and dances that we performed,” Eckart said. “They wanted an opportunity to share that with the general community.”
Norman-based medieval band, The Unpronounceable Irish Band, will perform at the ball, showcasing a selection of pieces composed by 17th-century English composer John Playford. The band works with the dance instructor to choose dances for the evening.
“The musicians and the dance instructor all have this amazing repertoire, all the different dances that they know,” Eckart said. “We do some simple ones, and then we'll do a few complicated ones.”
An array of different dances are done at the Medieval Ball, some with one partner and others with a group. In a category Eckart called “dating dances,” participants switch partners throughout the dance. These dances date back centuries. However, Eckart said the style is at the root of certain contemporary social dances.
“It's very similar to English country dancing,” Eckart said. “If you were to trace the history of things, it would be your medieval Renaissance-style dances, then your English contra dancing, and then your country western dancing.”
Dancers from the cast of the Medieval Fair will be in attendance to assist anyone who needs help learning the dances.
“I love seeing the people getting lost in the moment and the smiling and laughing as they're learning the dances,” Eckart told the OU Daily.
The ball will feature a buffet-style dinner with medieval dishes. This year’s menu includes a mushroom and barley soup, macaroni and cheese and a chicken and almond pie. Drinks will include coffee, tea and water.
There is no required dress code for the ball. However, attendees are encouraged to dress in medieval costumes. Guests do not need to come with a partner to participate in the dances.
The Medieval Ball will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 in the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom in the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Tickets are available online.
This story was edited by Emma Blakley and Shelby Emery. Lily Grace Battles and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
