Ruth Ames
Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair ~ Susan Polis Schultz
Ruth Winifred Ames 17 November 1947 – 21 December 2013
We note the sad loss of one of our regular members of the Early Dance Group and the English Country Dance Group. After a short illness, Ruth Ames passed away just before Christmas 2013, her funeral being held at Hawke’s Sea Scouts Hall in Cox’s Bay on Christmas Eve. People came from far and wide to celebrate her life. This was an appropriate place for us to farewell Ruth as she had held Saturday morning International Folk Dance classes here for a number of years.
Ruth had been involved with folk dance in Auckland for the last 35 years. She danced with the Auckland English Traditional Dance Club (AETDC) in the late 1970’s and in 1979 was a founding member of the Ruritanian International Folk Dance Club. In 1986 Ruth established a performing group called Tzinakis that remained active until 2000. When Tzinakis wound down, a smaller group called Eurodance was formed. These groups, under Ruth’s leadership, gave polished performances in immaculate costumes at a huge variety of venues over the years. In 1994, Tzinakis introduced a special evening of dance, aptly called the “Winter Warm-up”, bringing together various dance groups to perform, with opportunities for audience participation. The Winter Warm-up continues today under the auspices of the Ruritanian Club and the Danish Society. Ruth ran international dance classes at Howick, Grey Lynn, Rangitoto College, Richmond Road School and Cox’s Bay. There were other initiatives over the years. Tzinakis worked closely with Leisure Movement for All, organizing dance concerts at Westpoint Theatre and running “Just Dance” socials.
At the Early Dance Classes Ruth’s favourites were Branles, Basse Dances and Paine’s First Set of Quadrilles. At the English Country Dance evenings she especially enjoyed Sellenger’s Round and Newcastle, both of which reminded her of the good times she had had at the AETCDC in the 1970’s. Ruth loved dressing up and always made an effort to look good in appropriate historical costume whatever the occasion, whether it be Medieval, Regency or Victorian. Not only did she research out the right costume but she also put effort into food such as her special parsnip and carrot dish for Medieval Feasts and on one occasion making a Victorian fruit cake from the kitchens of Highwic for a Victorian Ball at the historic house.
Over the last 10 years Ruth’s passion for dance combined with her growing interest in photography. She photographed many dancers from many disciplines and produced a number of beautiful calendars using these images, as well as participating in exhibitions. Four years ago Ruth retired from her job with the University of Auckland and pursued her dream to become a serious photographer, studying at Unitec. Ruth, forever determined, completed her Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts at the end of last year while battling ill health.
Ruth was a person with great empathy who took an interest in everything and everybody around her. We will miss her enthusiasm for, and presence at, Early Dance and English Country Dance.