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Dances of the Gilded Age (Full Series)
with Jeanette Watts
Experience Level: Beginner
Step back in time with turn of the century dances at Historical Dancing on Mondays, Jan. 27 through March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion.
In this elegant setting, instructor Jeanette Watts will teach 1900s-era ballroom styles including the waltz and two-step, reflecting the graceful movements that captivated society early in the 20th century. Perfect for history enthusiasts and dance lovers alike, this course offers a unique opportunity to experience the elegance and charm of the Gilded Age.
$90/person for the entire series or $30/class. Register for the series by Jan. 24 or three days before each class. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Jeanette Watts has been teaching historical dances for over 20 years. She is the founder of the Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly in Dayton, Ohio, Queen City Vintage Dance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spent covid writing an 8-volume series of instructional dance manuals for historical museums.
Dances of the Gilded Age (Jan 27)
with Jeanette Watts
Experience Level: Beginner
Step back in time with turn of the century dances at Historical Dancing on Mondays, Jan. 27 through March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion.
In this elegant setting, instructor Jeanette Watts will teach1900-era ballroom styles including the waltz and two-step, reflecting the graceful movements that captivated society early in the 20th century. Perfect for history enthusiasts and dance lovers alike, this course offers a unique opportunity to experience the elegance and charm of the Gilded Age.
$90/person for the entire series or $30/class. Register for the series by Jan. 24 or three days before each class. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Jeanette Watts has been teaching historical dances for over 20 years. She is the founder of the Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly in Dayton, Ohio, Queen City Vintage Dance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spent covid writing an 8-volume series of instructional dance manuals for historical museums.
(SOLD OUT) Learn to Spin Yarn (Jan 28)
with Stephanie Block
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn the basic mechanics of using a spinning wheel to make your own yarn at Learn to Spin Yarn on Monday, Jan. 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio.
After a brief introduction from instructor Stephanie Block, students will have time for hands-on spinning practice and the opportunity to spin alpaca fiber into yarn using Ashford scotch tension Traditional or Traveler wheels. Discussion of fiber production and preparation methods will also be included.
$130/person. Register by Jan. 23. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Stephanie Block is the co-owner of Sundrop Alpacas near Bement. She has been producing popular yarn from her own alpacas for more than eight years. Stephanie’s spinning style is self-taught, and she is continuously learning so that she can share that knowledge with others.
Talking & Tasting: Intro to Wines of the World (Jan 31)
with Mike Lee
Experience Level: Beginner
Take part in a new wine education class at Talking & Tasting: Intro to Wines of the World on Friday, Jan. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion Library.
Renowned wine educator and television personality Mike Lee will lead this delightful and delectable wine class, where he will walk students through the art of wine tasting as an introduction to Wines of the World.
Each class will include tastings of 5 to 6 wines. You must be at least 21 years old to participate. Consider making it a weekend getaway and book a room overnight as part of Allerton's Weekend Wind Down series.
$60/person (Ages 21+). Register by Jan. 22. All sales are final.
Weekend Wind Down room rates are $110/night. To make a reservation, please call 217-333-3287.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the Instructor
Mike Lee is an accomplished wine, spirits, and beer educator with 9+ years in the alcohol industry. Having achieved the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (London) Certified Educator achievement in Wine, Lee is certified to teach levels 1 and 2 internationally. With experience with class sizes large and small, he is known for his ability to adapt to any learning environment with excellent facilitation skills.
(SOLD OUT) Granny Squares
with Billie Theide
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn about crocheting at Granny Squares Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio.
In this workshop led by fiber artist Billie Theide, students will learn the basics of crochet, create basic stitches, change colors, read work, fix mistakes and bind off. No previous experience is required.
$75/person* (Ages 13+; 13-17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult, who does not need to register.) Register by Jan. 29. All sales are final.
*Students should bring:
— 2 skeins Lilly Sugar 'n Cream 100 percent cotton yarn (1 each of two different contrasting solid colors)
— 1 U.S. H/8 crochet hook
— 1 small sharp scissors
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she was a Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.
She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
Dances of the Gilded Age (Feb 3)
with Jeanette Watts
Experience Level: Beginner
Step back in time with turn of the century dances at Historical Dancing on Mondays, Jan. 27 through March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Mansion.
In this elegant setting, instructor Jeanette Watts will teach1900-era ballroom styles including the waltz and two-step, reflecting the graceful movements that captivated society early in the 20th century. Perfect for history enthusiasts and dance lovers alike, this course offers a unique opportunity to experience the elegance and charm of the Gilded Age.
$90/person for the entire series or $30/class. Register for the series by Jan. 24 or three days before each class. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.
By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.
About the instructor
Jeanette Watts has been teaching historical dances for over 20 years. She is the founder of the Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly in Dayton, Ohio, Queen City Vintage Dance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and spent covid writing an 8-volume series of instructional dance manuals for historical museums.
(Sold Out) Beginning Watercolor (Morning)
with Sally Walsh
Experience Level: Beginner
Learn the foundational skills of watercolor at Beginning Watercolor from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26 in The Studio. Instructor and former art educator Sally Walsh will walk participants through new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass and special effects.
Pencils, erasers, clear plastic rulers, paper towels and spray bottles will be provided.
Participants should bring the following supplies:
— Basic pallet of cake watercolors (can be made available on request)
— Tube or cake watercolors
— Watercolor brushes of varying sizes
— Personal sketchbook or journal with paper suitable for watercolor (spiral bound is best)
$65/person. Register by Jan. 29. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Sally Walsh is a retired art teacher from Richland Community College in Decatur. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience and has led previous art classes at Allerton.
Intermediate Watercolor: Landscapes
with Sally Walsh
Learn the foundational skills of watercolor at Intermediate Watercolor: Landscapes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26 in The Studio. Instructor and former art educator Sally Walsh will walk participants through new techniques each week to create paintings focusing on landscapes, flowers, fruit, glass and special effects.
Pencils, erasers, clear plastic rulers, paper towels and spray bottles will be provided.
Participants should bring the following supplies:
— Basic pallet of cake watercolors (can be made available on request)
— Tube or cake watercolors
— Watercolor brushes of varying sizes
— Personal sketchbook or journal with paper suitable for watercolor (spiral bound is best)
$65/person. Register by Jan. 29. All sales are final.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.
About the instructor
Sally Walsh is a retired art teacher from Richland Community College in Decatur. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience and has led previous art classes at Allerton.