EarlyMusicNews.Org

"Coranto Early Dance & Music specializes in performances of period dance and music. It promotes excellence of demonstration, authenticity of style and increased awareness of this important aspect of history in three distinct areas:

Concerts
Participation in a variety of events and functions
The presentation of workshops and lecture demonstrations

In addition to the performing aspect of the work, Coranto is able to offer a comprehensive consultative service to educational establishments and theatrical companies country-wide. With expert knowledge spanning some 600 years from mediaeval times to the late 18th century and using a variety of resources, this may take the form of lecture demonstrations, group workshops and lessons and tuition on a one-to-one basis. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2008 | Hits: 397

“Coranto Early Dance & Music was founded in 1991 by Diana Scrivener.   Since then, it has specialized in performances of period dance and music, because as Artistic Director, Diana believes very strongly that excellence of demonstration, authenticity of style and increased awareness of this important aspect of history should be promoted at every opportunity.
 
To this aim, the group has given numerous performances, both informal and formal, to a wide cross-section of the public and in a variety of venues country-wide.  This has allowed the social dancing of our ancestors to remain the vital and dynamic art-form that it truly deserves to be, by exposing it to audiences who, in other circumstances, might not experience, or have any knowledge of this type of dance.
   
Coranto was a recipient in the first round of the A4E Express Awards, supported by the National Lottery, through the Arts Council of England.“

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Added on: Dec 13, 2011 | Hits: 213

"The Company was founded in 1984, and is a group of about twenty men and women, of all ages and with a wide variety of occupations. We perform the social dances of the 18th century, in particular the minuet, in full authentic costume, and aim to recapture the spirit and atmosphere of the grand events that took place in the Georgian Assembly Rooms. We rehearse once a week in the Covent Garden area of London with our dancing mistress, the renowned baroque dance specialist Sarah Cremer. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2008 | Hits: 507

“Enhance the atmosphere at your event for adults and children.

Create the Mood mixes and mingles with your guests as a character, teaches easy historical dancing, chats about amusing social history and entertains.

Babies stop crying, Small children become mesmerised and adults comment on how good it is to hear early music rather than the usual ‘pop’ stuff.  

Put a smile on your visitors' faces
Create the Mood uses experienced staff in superb historic costume, court and country, all periods Medieval Elizabethan to Victorian & early 20th century to suit your event.

We go to all places where people gather in their leisure time, indoors and out: historic venues and museums; community, arts, folk and heritage festivals; craft fairs and fetes; local authority and shopping centre promotions and receive guests at receptions, weddings and birthdays.“

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Added on: Feb 14, 2012 | Hits: 163

“Dance Books is now the only company in the world devoted to the publishing and retail selling of books, CDs, and videos on dance and human movement. We carry more than 2,000 items and sell mainly by mail order, though visitors are always welcome (but please 'phone first). ..“ Some Early Music Dance books available.

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Added on: Jul 29, 2009 | Hits: 365

"Danse Ecosse is an historical dance group based in Inverness, Scotland. The group was established in 2002 and since then has been building a repertoire of Renaissance Dances as danced in the Courts of Scotland and the rest of Europe. The group uses published research based on original source material as well as working directly from surviving dance manuscripts from the 15th to 17th Centuries. The group also conducts research on dance in Renaissance Scotland. Our costumes are based on historical documents and portraits. "

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Added on: Sep 06, 2008 | Hits: 432

"The main objective of the Society is the promotion of understanding in the theory and practice of European dance from the 12th to the 19th century as recorded in the contemporary literature.

The policy of the committee is to achieve this by:

* Conducting and promoting original research into treatises on dancing and other references in the literature, drama and dance music of the various periods.
* The organisation of courses for the education of dancers, teachers, actors, musicians and the general public in historical dance.
* Holding meetings and conferences in which lectures, demonstrations and opportunities to participate in historical dances and their music will be given to members of the Society and others.
* Publishing articles conducive or incidental to the aims of the Society in a Society Journal and any other medium which will bring the information to the attention of scholars in related disciplines and other persons concerned with the performance and teaching of historical dances and their music.
* Developing good practice for teachers and instructors in order to promote skills, understanding and enjoyment of the dances, while incorporating current research.
* Giving and promoting historically informed dance demonstrations with music on the contemporary instruments.
* Fostering the growth of other organisations with similar aims in this country and abroad. "

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Added on: Sep 06, 2008 | Hits: 456

"The Early Dance Circle [EDC] was formed in 1984 as an umbrella organisation to promote the enjoyment, performance and study of Early Dance in the UK. Its membership comprises individuals and groups throughout the UK and beyond.

The Circle’s recognised objects are to foster knowledge, understanding and appreciation of dance and its context in European society up to and including the twentieth century - and of its music and of other subjects in so far as they affect or are affected by Early Dance. ... "

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Added on: Sep 06, 2008 | Hits: 464

“Ellis Rogers has been a folk dancer, morris, rapper and longsword dancer since 1947.  He was Squire of Ravensbourne Morris side for two years and their musician for ten.  He ran barn dances in venues ranging from Buckingham Palace to the World Conference of Nudists.  He was a member of the folk dance team for England and performed annually at the Royal Albert Hall, with his first wife Iris and later with his second wife Chris.  He is an Approved Tutor for the English Folk Dance and Song Society and serves on the advisory panel to the Dance Research Committee of the ISTD.

In 1969 Ellis and Chris embarked on historical dancing at the Dolmetsch Historical Dance Society summer school, held then in Cheltenham.  Chris became a certificated tutor for the Society and she and Ellis together were teachers for the annual Dolmetsch summer school and occasionally for the Nonsuch summer school.  They taught 16th century dance and researched, composed and taught baroque dance and notation.  They started the group Pastime, in Orpington, to dance all periods from the 15th century to the 19th, and were the regular 'residential' tutors for the Oxford Historical Dance Society when that group first started.  They were founder members of the Early Dance Circle.  Since 1990 they have concentrated almost entirely on 19th century dance. …”

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Added on: Feb 13, 2012 | Hits: 229

"The Hampshire Regency Dancers is a dance group based in Winchester, England. Our aim is to promote, practice and enjoy the dances from the late Georgian to the Regency period (about 1775-1830), when Jane Austen was writing her novels. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2008 | Hits: 515

“Herts Early Dance was founded in 2002 as a social club for all those interested in the dances and music of earlier times. Dancers and musicians meet about every three weeks in St Albans. Most meetings are led by either our principal tutor, Anne Daye, or another experienced tutor. The dances are selected from a wide range of styles and periods mainly focusing on the 15th to 17th centuries. …”

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Added on: Dec 15, 2011 | Hits: 202

"We are a group of dancers, "The Jane Austen Dancers" who meet at Bath Trinity Hall (map here) at Monmouth Place near Queens Square on Wednesday evenings. The class begins at 8 PM, and all are welcome no matter what experience they may have. We dance primarily for pleasure but engage in performance and also narrated demonstrations. Much research has been carried out on the Regency Period by members of the group and is continuing. A costume ball is given by the dancers annually. Our musical director Sue Law is without doubt unique and vastly experienced. We are also extremely fortunate in having Valerie Webster as director of dance. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 07, 2008 | Hits: 699

"Nonsuch History and Dance Company was founded by Peggy Dixon as a performance company in 1966 and acquired the status of Educational Charity in 1976, with the aim of reviving and presenting historical dances. The company has established its own theatrical format of public presentation, supported by our series of published dance manuals: Dances from the Courts of Europe, 12th - 19th Century. Under the artistic leadership of Darren Royston, the company continues its legacy of research, teaching and performance at the highest standard. We have performed throughout the UK at venues including: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southwark Cathedral, The National Gallery, and St. John's Smith Square. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 06, 2008 | Hits: 448

"We are a collection of enthusiasts brought together by a love of the music, costume and dance of past centuries. Our aims are to promote and preserve the knowledge of Early Dance, its place in our cultural heritage, and to enable the enjoyment of such dance by members of the group and the general public.

Using published research, based on original source material, the group has built up a performing repertoire of Mediaeval, Tudor, Eighteenth century and Regency dances. They range from the court dances of the Italian Renaissance, to the pavanes and galliards of Elizabethan England; they show the development of social dancing from the turbulent seventeenth century to the fashionable Assemblies of the Regency.

Costumes are as authentic as possible, and we usually dance to live music played on instruments appropriate to the period of the dance. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 06, 2008 | Hits: 485

“This society was founded in 1981 and organises day courses led by experienced and qualified tutors.  Background information in music, costume and history are provided as well as technique and dances.

Anyone interested in history, early music, ballet, amateur dramatics etc will find these workshops stimulating and fun.

These lively and interesting courses will also provide additional background knowledge especially to students preparing for GCSE and “A” Level Dance or taking other music, drama or Ballet courses. …”

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Added on: Feb 13, 2012 | Hits: 150

“Pastime is an enthusiastic group of people interested in authentic period dance and performance. The group was founded in 1980 by Christine Rogers and has evolved into today's company.

Pastime specialises in 15th - 17th century dance with excursions from time to time into the 18th and 19th centuries.“

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Added on: Dec 28, 2011 | Hits: 175

“Quadrille Club, started in 1984, is essentially a venue for the enjoyment of 19th century dance in a social setting.  It is not an intensive teaching class. At each meeting some time is spent on basic steps and figures but the length of this time is varied to suit the technical ability of those present. There is no fixed membership and although there is a core of regular attenders, newcomers are always welcome. We are pleased that our programme appeals to many nationalities and we have regular attenders from Scotland, Norway, Poland, France and Czech Republic. These, together with our English dancers, give us a regular attendance of about 25-35.   

There is no age limitation BUT these dances are very lively and a set of quadrilles may require one to be continuously active for 15 minutes at a time.  You will also be expected to attempt the correct steps of the period and at no time is walking the figures allowed!!  …”

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Added on: Feb 13, 2012 | Hits: 192

“We learn and perform dances which were popular in English Assembly Rooms during the Regency Period.

Our members are typically professionals who like to socialise whilst learning new skills and having fun.

Everyone is welcome to join us, most have no previous experience …”

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Added on: Feb 13, 2012 | Hits: 170

“We are primarily a tudor reenactment group but also cover earlier and later periods. We specialise in portraying the domestic pastimes of the period - particularly the music and dance.

We practice and perform the social and court dances of the Renaissance covering the 15th century, 16th century and 17th century, more specifically the period between 1450 and 1650. The group was started in 1991 by people from a number of historical recreation societies (English Civil War Society, White Company, Sealed Knot, etc.) who were interested in learning the dances of the periods in history which those societies portrayed. The group has a wealth of experience putting on domestic living history events covering a wide variety of activities including our core specialities of music, dance, period costume and period cooking and dining. Our dancers and reenactors mainly participate in living history events covering the Tudor period, both Henrician and Elizabethan, but also cover the medieval, Jacobean and Stuart periods up to the English civil war. …”

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Added on: Dec 13, 2011 | Hits: 164

"Established in 1994, we are a Devon, England based historical dance group specialising in the performance of 15th, 16th, 17th and 19th century court and country dances from England and the Continent, together with contemporary crafts and social activities.

Our members come from a variety of backgrounds and have varied experience, but all share a desire to help to bring a bit of history alive.

Our repertoire of dance, parade and display has been built up over many years of research and practice. We have learnt many new skills from historical dress making to storytelling.

We are always looking out for new ideas and new members so that we can build on our success and bring our past to life for more people.

We enjoy what we do and we do it well. We hope that you'll participate in the workshops on the day or even join us to become a welcome member of Renaissance. "

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Added on: Sep 06, 2008 | Hits: 454

" Rose Moresk are a group dedicated to researching and recreating the Moresk to entertain and educate the public. Our first recreation is the courtly Moresk of around 1500.

Our performances are appropriate for both specialist and general audiences. They are entertaining and exciting to watch. The Moresk dances were performed as court entertainment with elements of drama and other dance forms creating a narrative. Rose Moresk strives to recreate this as accurately as possible and in a manner that is entertaining and accessible to modern audiences.

Thus the dances performed by Rose Moresk are drawn from a collection of dances, known as the Gresley Manuscript, originating from a large house in Derbyshire. They are believed to be the aide-memoir of a dancing master around 1500. Although the manuscripts do not specifically state that these are Moresk dances, they contain features that resemble those elements from other sources known to have been part of the Moresk. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 17, 2008 | Hits: 442

"I used to make costumes of most periods, up to about 1830 for men, 1900 for women and children, researching in as much detail as possible, using primary sources such as original garments in museums and private collections, and original patterns.

However, as I am virtually retired, and no longer work full time as a costume maker, I only rarely take commissions, usually from previous customers. I no longer take on new customers. I do not make wedding clothes of any kind.

I still give talks and demonstrations about what I did, showing actual garments and materials and drawing on over 40 years' experience working with costume for theatre, including the R.S.C., the Royal National Theatre, Amsterdam Opera, film, T.V., museums, and for static displays, re-enactors, historical dancers and costumed interpreters.”

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Added on: Sep 06, 2008 | Hits: 471

“Formed in early 2011, the Villiens Dance Company are friends who have come together seeking to portray historical dances.

While we focus mainly on the dances that would have been known in year 1588, we also develop a repetoire of dances from medieval times to the 17th Century.

As a group we portray mainly the middle class (then known as the 'middling sort') and the lower gentry as they would have been in the year 1588. We take great care to authenticity and accuracy in our dances, costume and presentation.”

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Added on: Dec 13, 2011 | Hits: 186

“Choregraphie Antique, the dance history ensemble of Goucher college makes history come alive by performing ballroom dances of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth century.

Dancers dressed in beautiful costumes perform vintage dances recapturing the elegance of courtly french menuets, bourrees, allemands, and lively english country dances of that americans love to dance in eighteenth century america.

Elegant and refined quadrilles, waltzes, polkas, country dances, gallopades to lilting melodies of the nineteenth century are contrasted to revolutionary racy dances of the one-step, argentine tango, brazilian maxixe, grizzly bear, turkey trot, kangaroo hop, lame duck, duck waddle, and the crab to ragtime tunes of 1890-1914 era. …”

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Added on: Feb 14, 2012 | Hits: 212

“We are recreational dancers, singers, musicians, teachers, callers, and dance historians who enjoy dancing, playing and singing English and Anglo-American dances, tunes, and songs that were known or published as early as 1651 and as late as today. By “English and Anglo-American” we mean the dances and music whose roots are in England, whether they started there or evolved once they came to North America. Think of the Virginia Reel or pioneers kicking up their heels after a barn raising, think of the ballroom scenes in Jane Austen books and films, think of community singing and folk festivals, and you’ll have a sense of what we do.

At the CDSS Office, we publish books, booklets, recordings, and a quarterly newsletter; we offer outreach grants for English and Anglo-American groups' and individuals' events; we have mail order service from our in-house store which has a fine assortment of educational and recreational books, recordings, DVDs, etc.; and we run several weeklong dance and music programs each July and August where people gather to learn new dances, tunes and songs, and to share what they know.”

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Added on: Feb 14, 2012 | Hits: 178