DL,
Twice a year the Sudbury Co.'s of Milita & Minute have an 18th century style ball in the main dining room at Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA (at 12th Night and a regimental ball on the Friday following April 19th). We have musicians playing period tunes and we do contra-dancing. Since we only do this twice, it takes a bit of practice to get back in to the "swing" of things. Some of them are quite energetic and wearing wool clothing will make you work up a sweat.
The distaff of our regiments always complain about wearing "stays" while dancing (and the complain even more when they go to the ladies' room).
During the band's rest period, we have the changing of the colors that fly above the front door of the Inn. At 12th Night we fly The Union Jack, which is changed to The Grand Union flag on April 19th, and that is changed to the Betsey Ross flag on the 4th of July. All this is done to 3 "huzzahs" and the firing of muskets. You can take a look at the Inn at
http://www.wayside.org/ .