Blog – Page 2 of 3 – The Historical Dance Society

18Jan 2023 by David Parsons

Summer School 2023. Dances of the Italian Renaissance.

For dancers, Past events, Past summer schools

Exploring Fifteenth and Sixteenth Century Dance Friday 14th to Monday 17th July 2023 or Friday 14th to Friday 21st July at Bromsgrove School, West Midlands, B61 7HP. Bromsgrove School We offer a choice of a 15th or 16th Century dance course at two general levels of difficulty/challenge. The weekend course is aimed at those with little or no dance experience of their chosen period. The longer course is aimed at those with previous experience and some knowledge of the step vocabulary, with a few places available for weekend attendance. The weekend courses offer an excellent introduction to historical dance. Participants will study with their chosen tutor in daily classes, to develop technique and learn a selection of dances. A varied choice of afternoon workshops led by course tutors and other…

19Nov 2022 by David Parsons

Weekend course ‘Dancing Well, Dancing Longer’

For dancers, Past events

Led by Kath Waters, the course runs from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 February 2023 at Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9RB. Participants will explore dances from the Renaissance and Baroque periods with a focus on the development and application of technical skills and safe dance practice. The first evening and each morning will start with a general warm up, using exercises that can be taken away for personal use or use with a group. This will be followed by exploration of technical aspects such as strength, stamina, posture, alignment and co-ordination. These skills will then by applied to sociable Playford country dances on the first evening, Renaissance dances on the Saturday and Baroque dances on the Sunday. The course will be useful to both individual dancers and group leaders. Course Director: Kath Waters.…

27Oct 2022 by David Parsons

Shakespeare’s Dances: a celebration of dance, music and costume

For dancers, For musicians, Past events

Held online on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 November 2022 The Historical Dance Society is bringing together renowned historians, researchers and practitioners to enjoy a weekend of Shakespeare-themed activities. References to dances and dancing appear throughout Shakespeare's plays. This weekend explores the dances, dance music and costumes that were familiar to Shakespeare and his circle. Learn how to dance a MeasureFind out how dances are interpreted and staged in productions of Shakespeare's playsExplore the hats, headwear and clothing of the timeDiscover the exciting Shakespeare and Dance ProjectFind out about creating music with limited resources in Shakespeare's timeFocus on non-social dancing and dance for performance in Shakespeare's playsDiscover how dance can be made dramatic in the dramas Relax and enjoy A Shakespeare Revel on Saturday evening (GMT) with dancing, music, readings and other delights. You…

02Oct 2022 by David Parsons

New journal article

Journal

The Cotillon: its origins, development and demise by Anne Daye. This account focuses on the origins and development of the cotillon in France and its adoption in England. Discussion of alterations in the practice of the cotillon in France reveals its metamorphosis into a distinct new genre of quadrille, also adopted in England, leading to the demise of the cotillon per se in most countries. See Historical Dance , Volume 4, Number 4

12Sep 2022 by David Parsons

WEEKEND COURSE – 1 & 2 October 2022

For dancers, Past events

Dance in the Spanish Golden Age Saturday 1 Oct 2022 10:30–17:00 and Sunday 2 Oct 2022 10:30–17:00 Springs Dance Studio (South Bank Arts Centre), Bedford College, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AH. The course will be led by Ana Yepes, an exceptional dancer and powerhouse of enthusiasm. Ana will bring her expertise gleaned from many years of deciphering Spanish manuscripts that are not available to the general public. Saturday : An introduction to Folía and its variations, which has its own style and step vocabulary, catering also for those with less experience of the period. Sunday: Aiming at more experienced dancers, focus will be on Folies d’Espagne, as performed in the French Court. Dancers will explore ways to accentuate the Spanish quality embedded in the choreography, using Folía arm movements from…

07Dec 2020 by EmilyBowen

Newsletters 2017 to 2019

Newsletter

Our newsletters contain a wealth of information on events, courses and personal insights from the HDS. On this page, you can find a selection of our newsletters from 2017 to 2019. If you have an article or news of an event to contribute to the newsletter, please email newsletter@historicaldance.org.uk. 2019 May 2019 Download October 2019 Download 2018 Feburary 2018 Download May 2018 Download October 2018 Download 2017 May 2017 Download October 2017 Download

11Nov 2020 by EmilyBowen

A brief history

Dance history

Ann Hinchliffe with Anne DayeHave you ever wondered where our wonderful folk dances come from? Why Cotswold morris echoes the structure of Black Nag and Picking up Sticks? How Jane Austen’s characters could talk so much while they were dancing? These are topics that the Historical Dance Society researches, publishes and teaches, in UK and other countries. They’ve been doing that since 1971, and next year will celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. It began with Arnold Dolmetsch (1858-1940), who crystallised current interest in early music just as Cecil Sharp did with English folk dance, music and song. You may remember Dolmetsch recorders from your own school-days. Dolmetsch was trained as a craftsman at his parents’ piano manufactory in France, then studied at the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles where he encountered musicians playing…

26Sep 2020 by EmilyBowen

Playford Then & Now Festival

For dancers, For musicians, Past events

Following the success of the HDS Webinar Talks and the Online Dance Tutorials – both of which can be found on our YouTube channel – we’re delighted to announce the HDS Playford Weekend Festival – Playford, Then and Now. The enduring popularity of Playford dances and their music from the first edition published in 1651 to the 18th edition in 1728, is a treasure chest for folk dancers, historical dancers, musicians and researchers. Festival sessions will feature talks on a variety of related topics as well as a dance workshop, with renowned speakers from the UK and overseas. Playford – Then and Now – an Online festival via Zoom The ‘Why’ and ‘How’ of his continuing success today through dances, bands, his London, his contemporaries, and choreography Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th…

08Sep 2020 by David Parsons

Historical Dance Volume 4

Journal

Historical Dance – The Journal of HDS (ISSN 0261-0965) The opinions expressed in articles and reviews are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor of Historical Dance or the committee of HDS. Volume 4, Number 5 Music and Movement – Music and Dancing – Dancing, Movement and Music Nathalie Dolmetsch (transcribed by Anne Daye) Page 3–4 Download Nathalie Dolmetsch (1905–1989) Anne Daye Page 5–11 Download Book reviews The Gentleman Dancing-Master: Mr Isaac and the English Royal Court from Charles II to Queen Anne by Jennifer Thorp. Clemson University Press: Studies in British Musical Cultures (Hardback), Clemson, SC,2024 Reviewed by Ken Pierce Download Volume 4, Number 4, 2022 Dance for early Australian convicts: Discovering a lost culture Heather Blasdale Clarke Page 3–9 Download A recently discovered ballet for the court…

24Apr 2020 by EmilyBowen

Baroque period

Dance history, Education, For dancers, For musicians

Following the foundation of the Académie royale de danse in 1661, Louis XIV ordered academicians to invent a notational system to record dances. In response, at least four systems were in progress in the 1680s, one of which came to disseminate dances of French style across Europe by means of printing/publishing businesses. This prevalent system is called Beauchamp-Feuillet notation today after the names of the inventor/academician, Pierre Beauchamp, and the business man/dancing-master, Raoul-Auger Feuillet. Over 350 dances are extant in this notation system in print and/or manuscript spanning the late 17th to mid-18th centuries, a period roughly matching the baroque era classified in other disciplines (those in the late 18th-century sources are re-notations of earlier publications, except Auguste F. J. Ferrère’s manuscript of theatre production from 1782). Whereas the baroque style in other art…

16Feb 2020 by EmilyBowen

Live music for early dance

Education, For musicians

The question has occasionally been voiced: “Why are historical dancers so reluctant to use live music?” So often they seem to prefer the recorded sound that emanates at the touch of a button, or click of a mouse, from their digital sound system. For musicians, who spend so much of their time, money and energy on practising their obscure but ‘authentic’ instruments, this rejection is both puzzling and hurtful. Why don’t they like us? What do we have to do to make them like us, at least to the extent that they are willing to let us join in their jolly dancing games? This note is a partial attempt at trying to understand the conundrum. Firstly, is the complaint true? To some extent, yes. At the most recent EDC festival…

16Feb 2020 by EmilyBowen

Tips to encourage the use of live music for historic dance

Education, For dancers, For musicians

Many historical performances of dance impress greatly with the meticulous research, careful practice, attention to style, and accurate costumes only to disappoint when a member of the group (or if lucky, a clued in helper) rushes over to press the button for music. Sometimes there ensues a ghastly pause, or even the strains of the wrong music; if correct, at a volume too loud or soft, or distortion from a less than perfect sound system for the performance space. Music is integral to dance, and for historic dance, that meant live musicians, so to present a performance with canned music is clearly an anachronism. The following tips are intended to try to address some of the issues that lead to this being such common situation – the perceived lack of…

04Jan 2020 by EmilyBowen

What are the objectives of HDS?

Important

The main objective of the Society as set out in the constitution is the promotion of 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. We 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 workshops for the education of dancers, teachers, actors, musicians and the general public in historical dance and its associated dance music. Holding conferences at which lectures, demonstrations and opportunities to participate in historical dances and their music are given to members of the society and others. Publishing articles conducive or incidental to…

16Nov 2019 by David Parsons

Stepping On: A Conference on Stepping in Dance across the British Isles and Beyond

Conference publications, For dancers, For musicians, Other, Past events

16 - 17 November 2019 Cecil Sharp House, London, UK The British Isles have a rich history of step dancing in many forms and in many forms and contexts, spanning centuries and linking with traditions across the world. Some of these dances and their histories are relatively well-known, others largely lost. The aim of the conference was to further our knowledge and understanding in these traditions and to stimulate debate. Download the proceedings from the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library Download PDF Buy the printed proceedings from the EFDSS Buy Papers In Search of ‘Street’ Clog Dance. Alexandra Fisher Ontario Old–Time Step Dancing and its Connections to the British Isles. Sherry Johnson How fast should we dance: An investigation using recordings. Sean Goddard Hornpipe stepping at barn dances and ceilidhs in…

17Jul 2019 by EmilyBowen

What is historical dance?

Dance history, Education

Historical Dance, or Early Dance, embraces social dancing of the courts and ballrooms of Europe, and choreographies from theatre and court entertainments. The periods covered range from the fifteenth century to the twentieth. Within this span, periods are often identified by slightly arbitrary titles, such as: Renaissance dance (in England, Elizabethan dance and Tudor dance) Baroque dance Regency dance and Victorian dance Some typical dance forms, in approximate chronological order, are: Basse danse, Bassa danza, Ballo Tourdion, Pavan, Almain, Galliard, Canario, Passomezzo (or Passo e mezo) Country dance, Gigue, Sarabande, Rigaudon, Minuet (or Menuet) Cotillion, Quadrille, Mazurka, Waltz Early Dance is based on careful research into original dance sources. Dances are taught at many practical courses. Occasions such as revels, balls and assemblies provide opportunities for social dancing. Find out…

28Jun 2017 by EmilyBowen

Conference: Histories of the Morris in Britain (2017)

Conference publications

Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London NW1 7AY, 25-26 March 2017 Morris dance has been an enduring feature of British culture for more than six centuries. The Histories of the Morris in Britain was a two-day conference held at Cecil Sharp House on the 25th and 26th March 2017, organised by the Historical Dance Society and the English Folk Dance and Song Society. The full proceedings or individual papers can be download free of charge from The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Edited by Michael Heaney, papers cover the latest in morris dance research and are an invaluable addition to our understanding of this enduring feature of British culture. Topics ranged from the early days of morris dance as found in the Jacobean court, to revival and formation of…