ATHOL — Athol Public Library will present Kandie Carle and her dance partner Marc Casslar on Sept. 6, at 6 p.m.
Carle and Casslar, members of the Vintage Dance Society of CT’s performance arm ‘Polite Society’, recreate the social dances of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In their World War I (also known as Ragtime Era) dance demonstration, they perform dances such as the tango, waltz, hesitation, blues, fox trot and castle walk. They include background information on the history of social dances of the era, with details on the particular dances they will perform, and share stories of that popular dance sensation, married couple Vernon and Irene Castle. With humor and grace the dancers add insight into the fashion and music of the era as well. There will also be a question and answer with the audience.
Carle has a broad background in dance, from ballet to musical theatre, modern and tap, to vintage social dances. Also known as the Victorian Lady, she travels the United States with her one-woman programs on the fashions, life, and times of the Regency, Jane Austen, mid- and late-Victorian, Civil War 1860s, and Gilded Age 1890s, as well as early 1900s Edwardian eras. Carle hails from East Haddam, Connectivur and is the producing artistic director of the East Haddam Stage Co., in residence at Gillette Castle State Park. You can find out more about her at www.kandiecarle.com.
Casslar has been involved in a variety of historical dance forms since 1977 and Victorian and ragtime dancing since 1984. Since founding the Vintage Society of Connecticut in the early ‘90s, Marc has been at the helm of the organization’s performances nationally and internationally. When not dancing, choreographing, or producing, Casslar runs an environmental consulting firm, GeoQuest, and a production assistance company, Specialty Productions, both based in Bloomfield, Conn.
This library program is free and open to the public. Call the library to sign up at 978-249-9515. Due to popularity of programs, registration is required. This program is limited to 40 participants. Funding for this program is generously supplied by the Friends of the Athol Public Library and the Athol Cultural Council a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The library is located at 568 Main St.