We promote the study, practice, education, and public engagement in the performance, music, and costume of European and other dances from the 15th to 20th centuries as recorded in the sources of the period.
If you’re looking for information about historical dances, or maybe some music or video footage, please contact us and we’ll be delighted to help you.
Explore our website to learn more about our workshops, study days and annual summer schools, as well as the publications, journal and resources available to members and non-members.
Registrations are open for the 6th Historical Dance Symposium. “Transitions” – Dance in times of Change, 1400–1900. 3–7 June 2026, Burg Rothenfels am Main, Germany. The focus will be on the changes and developments that social and stage dance underwent during the turbulent years from 1400 to 1900. The conference will be preceded by a high-quality baroque dance course that can be combined with the symposium: “The Art of Dancing” – Kellom Tomlinson and the Beauty of Port de Bras, with Caroline Copeland, USA
Friday 16 to Sunday 18 January 2026 at Halsway Manor, west Somerset.
A friendly house-party based on re-creating the Masque of Diana and Actaeon, performed at the court of Elizabeth I. Tutors are Ann Hinchliffe (beginners and improvers), Anne Daye (experienced dancers), and Sam Brown (musicians).
Read more… Weekend course: Dance, music and masquing at the court of Elizabeth I
London 22 November 2025.
18th century Allemande, Cotillions and Country Dances.
Come and enjoy dancing the elegant and iconic 18th century Allemande with its characteristic steps, turns and interlacing holds as used in the cotillions and country dances.
Sam Gosk is an IDTA qualified dance teacher with 20 years’ experience in teaching and performing.
Dances of mid-seventeenth-century England from the Pattricke, Sloane, Lansdowne manuscripts & Playford by Paul and Ann Kent. The book contains instructions for 18 dances from the three manuscripts and reworking of two Playford dances.
Dances of the French Courts: 16th century Dance, Music and Songs from France, is a collection of dances and their music from the reign of François I (1515-1547) to that of the young Louis XIII in 1614 researched by Anne Daye with music recorded by Passomezzo directed by Tamsin Lewis.
Call for contributions for the International Historical Dance Symposium 3-7 June 2026 at Burg Rothenfels in Germany with the theme “Transitions” Dance in Times of Change 1400 – 1900.