The recently incorporated non-profit organization, The Victorian Society of Colorado Springs (VSCS), has appointed local musician and dancer, Bill Donaldson, as Dance Director. The VSCS is dedicated to the preservation of the rich history of the Victorian era (with emphasis on local history), and primarily focuses on dances from the period such as: reels, quadrilles, waltzes and polkas. Its members enjoy dressing up in 19th century clothing, doing dances, and attending formal balls. The group has held two very successful formal balls in Colorado Springs and is coming up on a third this year at the Shrine Club later in the year. "We are so pleased that someone so accomplished has accepted the position as Dance Director. It will add new dimension and professionalism to our group," reports Denise Winter, VSCS President.

Bill Donaldson is a musician, dance caller, and dancer himself with many years of experience. Additionally, he is a member of the Broadmoor Waltz Club and the Garden of the Gods Dancers, both local dance organizations. He leads, and plays the hammered dulcimer for The Shadow Mountain String Band, a local five-piece band that plays music from the era and includes a string bass, guitar, mandolin, and fiddler. The band frequently plays for VSCS dances and balls.

Donaldson, originally from Illinois, has been a musician since childhood and plays many other instruments including the guitar, bass, and infrequently, the banjo. He believes that his ancestry and love of Celtic music led him to Victorian music and dance. "I have jigs, reels and hornpipes running through my blood. A large percentage of immigrants in the 1800s claimed Celtic or British, ancestry and all of them brought their music with them. I've always been drawn to it and have been playing those tunes since I was a kid ."

When asked whether Victorian dancing was complicated, Donaldson responded, "Not at all. We like to say, if you can walk, you can do these dances. Of course, you do have to know left from right. Modern square dancing and contra dancing have their roots in Victorian dance." The group reports that all dances are taught, then called during the dance, so one doesn't have to memorize the dances.

Every month the group gets together at a local recreation center for dance practice to brush up on the steps and have some fun in a casual atmosphere (no hoop skirts). "We do some research to learn just how a particular dance would have been done in the old days and then we practice the steps and styles to make it as authentic as we can. People of all ages can do these dances and you don't necessarily have to have a partner to join in on the fun," says Donaldson. "It's impossible to describe in mere words the fun everyone has at one of our dances. I've been a part of many kinds of dancing through the years and I swear you will see more smiling faces and people just having a rousing good time at a Victorian dance."

The VSCS will be hosting a May Day dance on May 3, 2008 at the Hillside Recreation Center, with live music provided by The Shadow Mountain String Band. Advanced tickets are $12 per person for an afternoon of family fun and dancing. "The May Day dance is a great opportunity for people interested to come and see what we're about in a casual atmosphere. Then, if they like it, they can join, or come to the formal ball held in September," added Barb Warnell, Committee Chair for the dance.

The VSCS group is also available to perform demonstrations of old-time dances for museums, festivals, or private groups. Interested parties can access the website to view dance and practice dates, event photos, and more at: http://www.victoriansocietycs.org, or email: info@victoriansocietycs.org, or call: (719) 592-1648.

Information about The Shadow Mountain String Band can be found at their website: http://www.shadowmtnband.com/ , or contact Bill Donaldson (719) 265-5559.