Compass Inn Museum’s A Midsummer Night’s Ball

As part of the July Living History Weekend at Compass Inn Museum, located at 1382 Route 30 East, Laughlintown, PA 15655, we cordially invite you to dance the night away under the stars like Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy with local Ligonier Valley dancing master, Brett Walker, & period music by The Wayward Companions. Period clothing is encouraged! Event tickets are $40 per person and available by clicking here. Refreshments are included in ticket price. There are no refunds for tickets. Email [email protected] or call (724) 238-4983 for more information.

Brett Walker – an historic shoemaker by trade – has been doing 18th & 19th century dance since 2002, including four years as part of the Colonial Williamsburg Dance Ensemble, where he was trained to be a Dancing Master and became well-versed in the history, language, and customs surrounding this form of communal entertainment. Mr. Walker currently lives near the historic town of Ligonier, PA and has taught period dance classes for Fort Ligonier Museum and Woodville, the late 18th century home of John & Presley Neville near Pittsburgh. He currently continues teaching classes in Ligonier and Pittsburgh.

Mr. Walker’s approach to dancing is very methodical, beginning with simple dances and teaching rudiments of the structure, and gradually adding skills and knowledge to his students. In this way, a student with little to no experience can feel, within a relatively short period of time, competent to dance at a period-style ball.

The Wayward Companions is a historical music ensemble with members from diverse backgrounds. They perform the music of the 18th & 19th centuries with a versatility that can take one back to the ballrooms, parlors, taverns, military encampments, and everyday life in which music played an integral part of both genteel and popular society. The Wayward Companions transport their audiences to times past in a vibrant and engaging way.