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“May I Have This Dance?” – Lecture & Exhibit Opening

May 31 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Free – $10

Join the Weston History & Culture Center and social dance historian, Susan de Guardiola, for the exhibit opening and lecture – “May I Have This Dance?” – on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 2pm at the Weston History & Culture Center, 104 Weston Road in Weston, CT.

Free for members and $10 for non-members. Limited Seating, advanced registration/tickets here: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/weston-history-culture-center/quot-may-i-have-this-dance-quot-exhibit-opening-amp-lecture.  Walk-ins also welcome.

Social dance historian, Susan de Guardiola, will discuss the exciting changes in dance and music in the years from the sinking of the Titanic through World War I. Hear about the early appearances of familiar ballroom dances like the tango and the foxtrot, long before Dancing with the Stars. Learn about the long-vanished dance fads like the Grizzly Bear, Maxixe, and Lulu Fado. Susan also dives into the lives of some of the remarkable dancers and musicians of the era.

Then explore the companion exhibit, “May I Have This Dance?”, featuring rare social dance ephemera from the World War I / Titanic era from the private collection of Susan de Guardiola. The exhibit includes original early 20th century dance manuals, rare sheet music, and actual dance cards relating to the early days of ballroom dances such as the tango and foxtrot! Browse the cases while enjoying the exhibit soundtrack of popular ragtime dance music of the 1910s.

The Weston History & Culture Center is located at 104 Weston Road in Weston, CT. Parking and entrance accessed from High Acre Road. Check-in at the Visitor’s Center, red building adjacent to the parking lot.

About Susan de Guardiola: Susan de Guardiola is a dance historian, teacher, and caller. Based in New Haven, CT, she teaches, leads balls and other dance events, and serves as resident instructor for The Elegant Arts Society. Susan’s specialties are late 16th century Italian dances, early 19th century French and English dances, 15th century court dance, 17th century country dance, the Napoleonic and Victorian eras, and the early 20th century/pre-World War I era. Susan also teaches cross-step waltz and conducts gender-role-free dance workshops. She has also been known to admit to a taste for Disco line dances. She is a popular dance leader at major New England dance festivals and dance weeks. Among the venues Susan has taught include Eclectic Enterprises in Boston; the Toronto English Country Dancers; the Bay Area English Regency Society; Mostly Waltz in Boston and New Haven; Odd Socks in Toronto; Vinnie’s Jump and Jive; groups in Connecticut, Denver, and Charlottesville; Lavender Country and Folk Dancers; the Boston Gay & Lesbian Contra Dancers; the Actors Movement Studio in New York City; Dance Flurry. She has taught historical social dance of various eras in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Colorado, Virginia, Louisiana, Ontario, and more. She also has taught in St. Petersburg, Russia. Learn more about Susan’s work here.

The Weston Historical Society D/B/A The Weston History & Culture Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 104 Weston Road in Weston, CT. Parking and entrance on High Acre Road. Open every Thursday and the first and last Sunday of every month, except holidays and holiday weekends. The Center would like to thank its benefactors: the Daniel E. Offutt, III Charitable Trust and the Twenty-Seven Foundation. It would also like to thank its annual business sponsors: Fairfield County Bank, Pullman & Comley, Esthetic Dental Group of Westport and Aquarion Water Company.

Venue

Weston History & Culture Center ( Weston Historical Society)
104 Weston Rd
Weston, 06883
+ Google Map
Phone
203-226-1804
View Venue Website

Organizer

Weston History & Culture Center
Phone
203-226-1804
Email
info@westoncthistory.org
View Organizer Website

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