As we welcome longer daylight hours, Footwork & Frolick invites you to join us in celebrating 19th century worker traditions with a ball giving back to our local community.
During the height of mill operation in Lowell and other industrial centers in the northeast, the tradition of “blowing out balls” lit the streets with light, music, and cheer each March. On the equinox, people across the city would come together to celebrate the lengthening of daylight: from the next day until the fall, an entire 12-hour shift could completed without the use of dim and noxious oil lamps.
Another way balls in this era were an important part of New England community life was through providing mutual aid: the community gathered for an evening of social connection with the proceeds going to a workers’, town, or other fund supporting those in need.
In the spirit of these real 19th century balls, join us for an evening of beginner-friendly dances from the height of New England industrialization and mills lit by lamplight. All dances will be taught throughout the evening, and no partner is necessary to attend! Carrying on the tradition of mutual aid balls, we will donate profits from this ball to Loaves and Fishes: a food pantry that serves the greater Ayer/Groton area.
Historical costumes of the “crinoline era” (1830s-50s) will be admired, but are not required. Guests are encouraged to wear whatever makes them feel elegant.
Schedule of Events
Afternoon workshop: 3:30pm - 5pm
Doors open: 6:30pm
Dancing begins: 7pm
Ticket Information
F&F balls have 3 ticket options: student/new grad, standard, and supporter. For this ball, the $20 donation included in the supporter ticket price will go towards our donation to Loaves and Fishes.
For those who want some extra dance practice, afternoon workshop tickets can be added on to your ball ticket purchase for an additional $10.
Scholarships: As a non-profit our mission is to make historical activities accessible to all, and we never want cost to be the reason you don’t attend. Scholarships - which include free attendance at an event or class, sometimes with a guest - are available to anyone who historically has not felt welcome in modern historical spaces or whose financial situation would not otherwise allow them to attend. We especially encourage young, BIPOC, or LGBTQIA folks to apply. Scholarships can be requested through this short form.
What will the dancing be like?
Dancing will predominately be a mix of contra dances and quadrilles. Contra dances and quadrilles are done by many couples together arranged in long lines, squares, or circles around the ballroom and do not require any special footwork - just walking! These dances will be taught throughout the ball, and will be done to recorded period music.
Do I need a partner?
As was considered polite in the 19th century, we encourage guests to change partners throughout the evening. You do not need to bring a specific partner, although we encourage groups to attend - the more the merrier!
Note that at our events we use the terms “lead” and “follow” to refer to the roles in the dance. All dancers are welcome to dance either role regardless of gender identity or presentation, and you’ll often find members of Footwork & Frolick switching between roles throughout the event.
Can I try the dances before the ball?
We will hold an afternoon workshop at our event venue, Ayer Town Hall, from 3:30pm - 5pm on the day of the ball. During the workshop we will practice some of the dances from the ball program, and will discuss foundational concepts of 19th century dance that will help you pick up new dances quickly throughout the evening.
For those who would like to spend more time with 19th century dancing, we encourage you to attend Quadrillion! Our winter session (Jan & Feb) of Saturday beginner classes will focus on 1830s dances. You can attend a single month or purchase a session package for a discounted cost per class.
What should I wear?
Guests are encouraged to come dressed in whatever makes you feel elegant. Historical costumes of the “crinoline era” of the 19th century (1830s - 1850s) representing day or evening dress will be admired but are not required. (For examples of historical costume from this era, take a look at the images below, which all depict middle- and lower-class dancing in the Northeast.)
We do recommend flat or low heeled shoes, as modern high heels are not conducive to historical dances.
Will there be food?
Light refreshments will be served during the ball, but we strongly encourage eating dinner beforehand. There are lots of delicious options in downtown Ayer, where the ball will take place!
About Loaves and Fishes
Loaves & Fishes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1983 to provide nutritious food, in an atmosphere of kindness and respect, to individuals in need who reside in Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton and Shirley. Loaves & Fishes offers assistance to families who are struggling by providing the opportunity for them to receive groceries up to twice a month. In 2025 they fed more than 1,000 households and 3,000 individuals, including 355 new families, and their impact is continuing to grow year over year. In the last two years, the number of individuals served increased 67%, while the number of new households served increased 78%.
Their work is incredibly important: over the last 5 years, household food insecurity has risen in Massachusetts from 19% of the population to 37% (reflected in the growth of pantry usage they’ve seen). You can learn more at their website about the ways the organization is responding to the current economic climate.