Victorian Dance at Saloncon; NJ (September 13, 2008)

Sorry to have so many announcement posts and so little content so far this month; I promise to get better next week as my schedule eases up a little bit!

This weekend I'm going to be doing a short Victorian dance workshop at Saloncon, which is an interesting little Steampunk convention in Somerset, New Jersey.  I'll be teaching from 1:50-2:55pm (see below) and will probably cover basic waltz and some set dances; I'm thinking an 1890s Waltz Quadrille, the mid-century "Gothic Dance", and one of the more interesting promiscuous quadrille figures.  We might do a bit of polka or galop as well, time permitting.

As always, I'd be delighted to meet any Kickery readers who might be attending -- please make yourself known!

UPDATED 9/12/08: The most recent version of the Saloncon schedule now has this workshop occurring from 12:40-1:45pm.  I guess I'll find out when I get there!

Comments

[Ellen]

I spent last weekend doing 14th century English dances, I can't wait for this weekend!

Ellen

[Eowyn]

Polka! I love polka - maybe the star figure cotillion? ;)

[Susan de Guardiola]

Probably not the star, alas - I only have an hour and the star as a polka cotillion is kind of rough on beginners.

I teach the star, though not as a cotillion but as a segment of a longer quadrille figure, fairly regularly in its Regency context in my workshops for The Elegant Arts Society in NYC once a month.

Now, I may do the Star figure that is a promiscuous figure (look under the quadrilles index for the first promiscuous figures post), but that's a much, much simpler thing.

[Sharon]

I was in attendance at the SalonCon dance workshop over the weekend, and I must say, it was very informative and lots of fun! I belong to a Victorian reenactment group (not Steampunk), yet don't have much experience with historical dances. Your class, albeit short, was eye-opening, easy to follow, and again, great fun! I hope to attend another one of your workshops in the near future.
Thank you!
Sharon

[Susan de Guardiola]

Thanks, Sharon! If you're in the New York area, I'm doing several Victorian dance workshops in that area this fall; check my calendar (link at upper right under Pages) for details. The first one is on Long Island this Sunday!

I would also be happy to come teach for your reenactment group if there are others interested in learning some Victorian dancing.

[Magess]

Is there a particular name for the waltzing you were teaching a SalonCon? I remember a number of the instructions, but I wanted to try looking for a written copy or a diagram somewhere so I could make sure I have it right.

[Susan de Guardiola]

I was teaching a simplified version of a the mid-19th century waltz known as the valse a trois temps, though more usually just called the waltz. It's described in many mid-19thc dance manuals and is the oldest known form of waltzing; what they do in modern ballroom dance today is a different foot pattern that replaced the older waltz in the late 19th century and became codified in the 1930s.

The variation with two draw steps and a turn is called the "Gavotte Glide" and was described by M.B. Gilbert in his book, Round Dancing, published in 1890. The original is here.

[Judi Buncher]

I am looking for a local Victorian Dance group in the Monmouth County, New Jersey area. I thought Victorian Ocean Grove would have one but as far as I know, they do not. I attended a Victorian dance in Cape May and love the dances, grand march, manners and historically correct Victorian reproduction clothing. Can anyone help me please?

[Susan de Guardiola]

Judi:
Try contacting the Metropolitan Vintage Dance and Social Club.