EarlyMusicNews.Org

"When people discover that I take baroque dance classes, there's usually some curiosity, and also some misunderstanding about what it involves (my mother asked "Is it, y'know funny dancing?"). This page is a distillation of conversations in pubs in which I have tried to describe exactly what this uncommon hobby of mine involves.

Baroque dances are historical dances. That is, they are dances which went out of fashion long ago. Today both amateurs and professionals are performing reconstructions of old dances, mainly the social dances, from at least as far back as the 12th century, right though until the early 20th century. There are also new dances being choreographed in old styles. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 08, 2008 | Hits: 562

"SDHS: Society of Dance History Scholars advances the field of dance studies through research, publication, performance, and outreach to audiences across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. As a constituent member of the American Council of Learned Societies, SDHS holds wide-ranging annual conferences; publishes new scholarship through its proceedings and book series; collaborates regularly with peer organizations in the U.S. and abroad; and presents yearly awards for exemplary scholarship, including the de la Torre Bueno Prize®. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 514

"Seattle Early Dance is dedicated to presenting high quality performances of dances from the European Courts between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. These dances are reconstructed using original manuals and treatises, and are performed in exquisite costumes based on historical designs. Essential to the performance experience is collaboration with musicians playing authentic period instruments. Seattle Early Dance has performed with some of the finest early music organizations in Seattle, including the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Baroque Orchestra, and the Seattle Academy of Baroque Opera. Seattle Early Dance aims to have a wide appeal, presenting dances in ways both entertaining and informative for modern audiences. Seattle Early Dance is also committed to educational activities, such as workshops and residences in schools and other community settings. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Oct 06, 2008 | Hits: 382

"This site originated with the rendance email list. Rendance was founded on April 2nd, 1993, by Andrew Draskóy. The list, as well as this web site, was created to facilitate the study of Renaissance dance. List members collaborated on contributions to an ftp archive, which also contained archives of the list. Resources created this way included a discography and a comprehensive annotated bibliography.

The ftp site was replaced with a web page on July 5th, 1995. http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~andrew/rendance.html received over 123,000 visits. On May 14th, 2001 the single page was reorganized into a site, and moved to www.rendance.org. New introductory material was added, as well as information and links for relevant aspects of Renaissance culture. Other sections were greatly expanded.

What you see now is a transitional design. Coming soon are more specialized bibliographies, as well as articles on dance types and the people who shaped the dance of the Renaissance and our contributed to our knowledge of it. " This site also has an active mailist. See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 23, 2008 | Hits: 485

“The New York Historical Dance Company is a group of dancers devoted to the study, recreation and performance of dances from the fifteenth through the early twentieth centuries. Costumed in period clothing, the company performs social and theatrical dances from Europe and America. The company has performed with Piffaro, Parthenia—A Consort of Viols, Philadelphia Classical Symphony, Wake Forest Consort, Mannes Camerata and the New Dance Group. Members of the company have also performed at the Connecticut Early Music Festival, Wake Forest University, at SUNY Stony Brook, in Germany, Belgium and Austria. Our ambition is to bring the joy and beauty of these dances to modern audiences, at the same time educating them in an important facet of the culture of past eras. ..“

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Added on: May 04, 2010 | Hits: 328

"Founded in 1976 by Artistic Director Catherine Turocy in collaboration with Ann Jacoby, the New York Baroque Dance Company has been a leading force in the revival of 18th century ballet, challenging aesthetic conventions and bringing forgotten masterpieces to new audiences in what The Guardian has called “a whirlwind of desperately needed fresh air.” ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Oct 05, 2008 | Hits: 400

“MIXED PICKLES is Philadelphia's vintage dance company. We research, perform and teach American dances from the colonial period all the way up through the 1940s. Our name reflects the dual nature of dance history, as something both educational and delightfully entertaining at the same time. It also refers to the kaleidoscope of cultures and classes that have influenced the way that Americans dance; influences that came from the French, English, Irish, Black and Latino; drawing from the elegant ballroom as well as the rowdy dancehall.“

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Added on: Feb 14, 2012 | Hits: 222

"A project to enter Playford first edition (1651) is mostly finished! Here it is! I tried to take care to not correct spellings and obvious mistakes, but if you find something right, let me know... :) Music will be on the way as soon as have time to get it in. A small portion of the music has been entered. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 06, 2008 | Hits: 453

“We are excited that you are visiting Danza Antiqua. We are here to provide unique dance and historical activities for any occasion.

Danza Antiqua was formed in England in 1993 by its Director Nancy J. Walker. It was formed with the purpose of providing dances performances, instruction, education and consultancy across all major historical periods. Its dancers are trained in the particular dances and style for each event. A typical performance is presented in accurate reproduction historical clothing and includes dance, historical readings and education about the dances and their social setting and context. ..“

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Added on: Jul 29, 2009 | Hits: 375

“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: 165

“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: 196

“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: 173

"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: 449

" 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: 426

"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: 435

“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: 147

“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: 150

“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: 173

“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: 154

“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: 139

"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: 459

"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: 432

"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: 683

“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: 185

"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: 488