01Nov 2025 by David Parsons

International Historical Dance Symposium 2026

For dancers, News
“Transitions” – Dance in times of Change, 1400–1900 3–7 June 2026, Burg Rothenfels am Main, Germany Registrations are now open for the 6th Historical Dance Symposium. For centuries, dance has accompanied people through their daily lives, atjoyful celebrations and ceremonial occasions, in private as well as atmagnificent court balls. But how does our dance change when our lives change?When religious wars shake all foundations, old enemies become friends, newworlds are discovered and boundaries are broken down? What influence did theturbulent times of European history between 1400 and 1900 have on the occasions,practices, styles and functions of dance? When and where were therecontinuities, ruptures or parallel developments? Did they follow fashions andnew artistic trends, conquests and migrations or philosophicalcurrents? Changes and transitions in European social and stage dance in theeventful years…
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24Jul 2025 by David Parsons
New book and CD: The Boone Companion

New book and CD: The Boone Companion

For dancers, News
The Boone Companion: 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. It includes diplomatic transcriptions of the manuscript texts and the dances have been clearly described with the help of diagrams and represent realisations that aim to suit dancers from both folk and historical dance backgrounds. There is a separate CD/digital recording to accompany this book with music for all the dances. The music has been selected from contemporary sources and arranged and directed by David Gordon. It is played by a small instrumental ensemble and provides effective music for the dances as well as for enjoyable listening. For full details and to buy…
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11Jul 2025 by David Parsons
New book and CD: Dances of the French Courts

New book and CD: Dances of the French Courts

For dancers, News, Other
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. Instructions are given for each dance, along with music notation, and there are notes on the relevant steps. Several short essays provide insight into the practice of dancing in France across this period. For full details and to buy hard copies or downloads see HDS Shop
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30Jan 2025 by David Parsons

International Historical Dance Symposium 2026

For dancers, News
The HDS is a partner in the International Historical Dance Symposium. Here is the call for contributions. Preparations for our next International Historical Dance Symposium have been underway for some time. We are pleased to hereby send out our call for contributions. The 6th symposium will take place from 3-7 June 2026 at Burg Rothenfels in Germany with the theme "Transitions" Dance in Times of Change 1400 - 1900 We are looking for contributions in the form of lectures, posters, workshops, short performances and dance evenings. More information about the different categories can be found on our homepage. While our association Dance & History e.V. is responsible for the practical organization of the conference, Burg Rothenfels is the host of the event. Please send your proposals to Markus Lehner, info@historical-dance-symposium.org.…
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22Aug 2024 by David Parsons

New blog series: A History of Country Dancing

News
Anne Daye has written a series of blog posts on A History of Country Dancing (with an emphasis on the steps). To date (22 August 2024) the first five instalments are online, with four more planned. They give a brief overview of different periods in the evolution of country dancing, for anyone wanting a quick introduction to the history or as the basis for further reading. Find the first post at A History of Country Dancing – Introduction
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