Playford-to-the-Present (P2P) Ball
Save the date for our 2026 P2P ball: Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Pasadena Scottish Rite. 
Join us for the 2025 P2P Ball on Saturday, October 4, 2025!
Make it a weekend!
- Ball Review on Friday, October 3
- Playford-to-the-Present Ball on Saturday, October 4
- Melissa Running Tea Dance and Workshop sponsored by HTDS on Sunday, October 5
On this page you’ll find all the information you’ll need about the annual P2P ball.
(Use the table below to jump to the section you need.)
| Talent | About the Ball | Events Schedule | Location | Admission & Registration |
| The Dances | FAQ | The Committee | Contact | History |
P2P Ball Talent
We’re excited to announce the talent for our 2025 P2P Ball:
- Dance leader Melissa Running, from Washington D.C.
- A wonderful trio of musicians: Shira Kammen, Audrey Jaber, and Anita Anderson!
- Sound engineering by Victor Garza
Our wonderful talent will also join us for our Ball Review on Friday, October 3. Make it a weekend!
About the P2P Ball
P2P is an Experienced Dancer ball
The Playford-to-the-Present Ball is our annual event celebrating the history and living tradition of English country dance. The program features dances that span the many years from the earliest published dances in the 1650s to new favorites written in the 21st century.
The P2P Ball is geared toward knowledgeable English country dancers with strong dance skills and significant prior experience. Dancers should be comfortable doing all the figures included in the current ball’s dance program, even complex or challenging figures, without explanation or teaching. At the ball, all dances (except those marked For Those Who Know, or FTWK) will have a quick walk-through and will be prompted only as necessary, usually only for the first few repetitions of the dance. Dancers should then be able to remember the pattern without relying on the caller. Dance instructions will be sent to registered attendees in advance, via email. See our list of dances on the program.
Regular and frequent attendance at your local dance series (including our regular CCECD dances on second and fourth Sundays) is the best way to reach that level of general confidence, and you should feel free to ask your local caller if you are ready to attend an experienced dancers’ ball. Our two P2P Ball Practices for ball attendees (on September 7 and September 21) will cover the ball dances with faster-paced teaching.
What makes an Experienced Dancer?
P2P Ball Events Schedule
Join us for our P2P Ball Practices for ball attendees, this year held on Sundays, September 7 and September 21, at Lindberg Park Stone House, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. (Visit our Upcoming Dances page for caller and band details.) We’re also holding a Ball Review at Skandia Hall on Friday night, October 3, with Melissa, Shira, Audrey, and Anita. The table below has details of all our P2P-related events, including registration links.
Our practices also coincide with our annual Costume Sale! Bring costume pieces to donate to the sale, and replenish your closet by buying new (to you) costume pieces or outfits. All proceeds go to our P2P Scholarship Fund.
| What | Where | Time | Day | Date | Registration |
| Ball Practice/ Costume Sale 1 | Culver City | 2:30-5:30 p.m. | Sunday | September 7 | Click to register |
| Ball Practice/ Costume Sale 2 | Culver City | 2:30-5:30 p.m. | Sunday | September 21 | Click to register |
| Ball Review | Pasadena 1 | 7:00-10:00 p.m. | Friday | October 3 | Click to register |
| P2P Ball | Pasadena 2 | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Saturday | October 4 | Click to register |
| HTDS Workshop | Pasadena 3 | 2:30-6:30 p.m. | Sunday | October 5 | Visit HTDS |
Culver City: Lindberg Park Stone House, 5041 Rhoda Way (on the corner of Rhoda Way and Ocean Drive). Suggested admission: $20.
Pasadena 1: Skandia Hall, 2031 E. Villa St. Suggested admission: $20.
Pasadena 2: Pasadena Scottish Rite, 150 N. Madison Avenue. Pre-registration required.
Pasadena 3: This event is produced by the Historical Tea and Dance Society. For further information, see www.historicalteaanddance.org.
P2P Ball Location
The P2P Ball will be held at Pasadena Scottish Rite in Pasadena, 150 North Madison Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. There is an attached parking lot with plenty of free parking.
P2P Ball Admission and Registration
Live music, wonderful dances, sumptuous refreshments, and good company – all for only $50. Pre-registration is required. Download our REGISTRATION FLYER (left) to register by mail.
Early Bird ticket pricing is available through August 31, at $50. Starting on September 1, the price increases to $60. You can pay for tickets by check with your printed form, or register and pay electronically through Zelle or PayPal (PayPal price includes additional $2 to cover fees).
Registration for our 2025 P2P Ball is OPEN NOW! Click the flyer left or the button below to download and print our flyer and registration form, OR register online here.
(Note: Your registration is incomplete until your payment has been received.)
Early Bird pricing (through August 31):
Check (made out to SCCDC) or Zelle: $50
PayPal: $52 (to cover PayPal fees)
Pricing from September 1:
Check (made out to SCCDC) or Zelle: $60
PayPal: $62 (to cover PayPal fees)
Scholarships are available. Email patricia.a.keating <at> gmail <dot> com for more information.
If you would like a name tag, we need to receive your payment by September 29.
Please note: Refunds will only be given if the event is canceled.
Click the buttons below to pay electronically, and to contribute to our P2P Scholarship Fund:
Pay with Zelle:
There is no fee to pay with Zelle! Click the QR code left to go to the Zelle website and email <treasurer at sccdc dot org>. In the Notes section, please write P2P Ball (or Playford-to-the-Present Ball), and include your name, the names of the people being registered, and the number of tickets you’re purchasing. Please also consider adding a donation for our Scholarship fund!
PayPal payment buttons:
Click the buttons below to use PayPal. The prices include $2 extra to cover the fee. Please write the names of the people being registered. Please also consider making a donation to our Scholarship fund!
The 2025 P2P Ball Program of Dances
The 2025 program is READY! 😍
We’re delighted to announce the program of dances for our 2025 Playford-to-the-Present Ball!
Here they are, in alphabetical order.
Easter Morn (S-I)
The Farmer’s Joy (S)
From Bud to Bloom (I)
Heartwood (I)
Kensington Court (S)
Minnows (S-I)
The Night Cap (C / FTWK)
Noisette (I-C)
Old Batchelor (I)
The Physical Snob (S)
Quite Carr-ied Away (I-C)
Rosamond’s Pond (S-I)
Shindig (S)
Sweet Cream (I)
The Webmaster (C / FTWK)
(S = Simple, I = Intermediate, C = Complex, FTWK = For Those Who Know)
A booklet containing instructions for each dance will be sent by email to all registrants. (And of course, remember to attend our P2P Ball Practices for ball attendees on September 7 and 21.) We have also curated a playlist of YouTube videos for each of the dances. (Click the three lines in the upper right corner to choose from the whole playlist.) View the playlist here:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Playford” mean?
John Playford was the publisher of The English Dancing Master, or Plaine and easie Rules for the Dancing of Country Dances, with the Tune to Each Dance, which is considered the first English Country Dance (ECD) manual published.
In modern ECD, a “Playford” ball is one in which there is no basic teaching at the ball itself, and the dancers can enjoy the dancing with no teaching and very little prompting.
How is this ball different from a regular local dance?
At an ongoing dance series (sometimes referred to as a class), time is taken to explain and teach each dance figure and pattern. At the Playford-to-the Present ball, there will be no teaching; each dance will have one walk-though and be prompted for the first few repetitions. It is assumed that all dancers are either familiar with these particular dances or are experienced enough to pick up dances on just one walk through.
How do I know if I’m experienced enough to attend?
Dancers attending the ball should be familiar with standard modern ECD figures such as hey, rights and lefts, siding, poussette, cast and lead, gate, double-figure-eight, etc. and be able to do them without explanation when prompted. Some people will catch on right away; for others it will take longer. Regular and frequent attendance at dances is the best way to reach that level of confidence with the dancing. (Read more about experienced dancers above.)
How can I learn the dances on the program?
One way is to attend the Ball Practices that are put on shortly before the ball. These practices are intended for ball attendees. Teaching at the practices will be fast paced.
Written instructions for the dances will be sent via email to all ball registrants. In addition to the practice sessions, dancers are encouraged to use the instructions to learn the dances on their own. Videos of the dances may be available on YouTube. Be creative! Go through the steps by yourself in your living room or backyard. Or get a set of friends together and have an informal dance party.
Many local dances will have special practices or sessions dedicated to the Ball dances. Talk to your local dance leader to find out if that will happen in your community. To find out about dancing in your area, check out this regional list of regular local dances.
What will people be wearing?
Ball attire is “Festive/Formal,” and is not period-specific. The dances span the years 1651 to present day, and the attire in the hall will likely do the same. Guests will be dressed in everything from Medieval to Regency, Victorian to Jazz Age, and many (possibly even most) will be in modern formals. The degree of elaborateness of the clothing will also vary considerably: Some guests will have very ornate costumes, while others will be dressed very simply. Most will be dressed elegant/formal, some will be in fanciful costumes. Wear whichever you most enjoy dancing in. Just to give you an idea, take a look at photos from our previous balls.
In consideration of people dancing close to you, please do not wear strong perfume or cologne. There are large dressing rooms at the hall for those who wish to change into ball attire after arriving.
Where can I find an outfit?
Modern formal wear as well as festive attire can usually be found inexpensively in second-hand and vintage clothing stores. Discount clothing outlets such as Ross may also be good sources. Sometimes even major department stores can have great sales on formals.
For period attire, an ability to sew comes in handy. There are readily available Simplicity patterns for costumes of many eras, and a search on Google using keywords like “vintage” “sewing” “patterns” will bring up many resources. Second-hand and costume rental stores are another option.
One of the best ways to find an outfit is to ask your fellow dancers where they bought, borrowed, or found patterns for their ball attire. Some of them may even be willing to help you with sewing techniques!
What kind of shoes should I wear?
Be kind to your feet. Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to move around in. Low-heeled, soft-soled shoes are recommended. It’s best to change into your clean shoes when you arrive at the ball, in order to protect the floor. Make sure you’ve worn the shoes dancing before, so you don’t have aching, pinched, or blistered feet the night of the ball.
How do I find a partner at the ball?
Anyone can ask anyone to dance, regardless of gender, whether veteran ball-goer or first-time attendee. Feel free to dance any role, in any position, with any partner. If you have come without a partner, don’t be afraid to ask people to dance. If you have come with an escort, we encourage you to meet and dance with other people as well as the person you came with. That’s part of the fun of the community.
A bit of advice: Dancers join the set at the bottom of the line as it forms. Therefore, if you are looking for a partner, the best place to find one is usually toward the bottom of the hall, where other single dancers will be on the lookout for partners. Stand up and come onto the dance floor. If you stay seated, chances are that other dancers will assume you are choosing to sit out, and therefore might not ask you to dance.
What happens if I can’t find partners?
Balls are large, exciting, and somewhat chaotic events. Dancers from all over the region (and sometimes the country) will attend. Friends who only see each other once a year will be renewing acquaintances, and sometimes new dancers can feel lost in the shuffle. Dancers who find it hard to get partners are encouraged to ask any of the ball hosts, callers, or local dance leaders for help finding partners. Don’t worry that dancers are willfully ignoring you; it is simply that there is so much going on that it’s easy to miss people on the sidelines.
Will there be a dance card?
No, we do not use dance cards. We encourage dancers not to book ahead, opening up more opportunities for dancing with new friends.
The P2P Ball Committee
The Playford-to-the-Present Ball is definitely a community affair. A lot of people contribute their time and effort to help bring about the event. We thank them for their tireless assistance.
Here’s the committee for our 2025 ball.
| Administrative Chairs: Patricia Keating, Mickey Waring | Registrar: Aileen Poehls |
| Program Advisors: James Hutson, Renée Camus | Dance Booklet: James Hutson, Renée Camus, Mickey Waring, Alex Bradley |
| Refreshments: Kaye Evans | Talent Liaison: Deanna Bradshaw, Jamil Hashimi |
| Name Tags: Alex Bradley | Costume Sale: Elyse Ashton, Robert Rickun |
| Graphics: Alex Bradley | SCCDC Representative: Renée Camus |
| Decorations: Elyse Ashton, Robert Rickun, Alex Bradley, Tony McQuilkin, Bruce Hayes, Renée Camus |
Contact
For Registration Inquiries
Playford-to-the-Present Ball 2025
c/o Aileen Poehls
11001 Lindblade Street
Culver City, CA 90230
SoCalPlayford@gmail.com
818-577-7168
For General Inquiries
Pat Keating
patricia.a.keating@gmail.com
310-666-1069
Sponsored By
Southern California Community Dance Coalition
Produced by
Culver City English Country Dance (an affiliate of Southern California Community Dance Coalition)
P2P Ball History
The Playford-to-the-Present (P2P) Ball has a fine history of callers and musicians who have conspired to bring that special combination of sound and movement together for delightful and memorable events. Read about the history of our P2P Ball on our Brief History of CCECD page, and take a look at our Archive of P2P Ball Programs, detailing the callers, musicians, dates, and locations for each ball, as well as links to photo pages and even the dances on each program.