TUSCUMBIA-The Alabama Chapter of the Natchez Trace Parkway Association is offering a free workshop to prepare for the June 13th Victory Ball. This is a Bicentennial Celebration of the Battle of New Orleans, called the “Triumphant Return Celebrating a New American Spirit.” The Workshop will be 10 AM to 2 PM, Saturday, May 9th at the 
City of Tuscumbia Multi-Purpose Center at 601 E.N. Commons. Marty Aubuchon of Saint Louis, Missouri is an experienced caller who will teach the Dance Workshop. These period dances are unfamiliar in the State of Alabama which is why Aubuchon is coming to teach.
Aubuchon and the Booneslick Boys will play at the June 13th Victory Ball at Locust Hill 
in Tuscumbia. Tickets will be available May 1st. Colbert County Tourism, Coldwater Books in Tuscumbia and Florence Tourism. Sponsors include Colbert County Tourism, Florence-Lauderdale Tourism and others to be announced later.
The “so-called” Country Dances are not hard to learn. If you can walk and know the difference between left and right, you already have much of the basic knowledge needed. Most movements are based on a walking or skipping step. Dancers move in a number of specific “figures”, sometimes holding hands, sometimes by themselves. Each dance is prompted by a caller, so that each figure and movement is called in time to the music; no need to rely on memory alone to know what to do. Partners are not necessary; you can come by yourself and be assured of dancing throughout the evening, since tradition is to change partners for each dance. The dances are social and friendly.
Marty Aubuchon started ballroom dancing in college. He became interested in English 
Country Dance, which evolved into membership in Dance Discovery. [www.dancediscovery.org] He is currently the treasurer. He participates in living history events, including historic dancing from the 1600’s to the present. Marty enjoys World Music and has a special interest in American Indian music & dance. He plays the Indian flute.
The Workshop teaches the period dances to all who attend, including a local dance group. Suzy Spalding-Robbins teaches classes at Shoals Dance Academy. She has been teaching dance at UNA since 1996. She is certified in Bronze Smooth & Rhythm by DVIDA and also teaches dance on cruise ships. With the Alabama Bicentennial coming up in 2019, Suzy’s troupe will be able to teach these dances elsewhere in Alabama.
