Regency & Victorian Dance Workshops, NYC (Sunday, April 5, 2009)

I will be teaching two dance workshops for The Elegant Arts Society in New York City this Sunday, April 5th.  Logistical details are below.

The first (1:00-3:45pm) will focus on the dances of the Regency era (1810-1820), including steps and figures for country dances and French quadrilles.  Specifically, we will dance and look at a step-sequences to use in La Poule and La Trenise (third and fourth figures of the French quadrille) and the fifth figure of The Caledonians and will enjoy a Spanish Dance and an 1816 version of the classic Money Musk as well as the Scotch Reel for six and the amazing reel for nine people (and one hat) known as the Bumpkin.

The second class (4:00-6:00pm) will cover an interesting mid-19th-century half-quadrille (two couples rather than four) known as L'Alliance, which symbolically takes dancers through the Crimean War via six figures with names like "L'Empereur" and "La Victoire."  This dance is done entirely with polka mazurka steps, so it will be a bouncy class with plenty of hops and small leaps.

Both of the above are beginner-level classes.  No experience is needed, no partner is required, and clean leather-soled flat shoes (not high heels) are recommended.  Gender balance is not guaranteed.

The classes are held at Dick Shea's (a capoeira studio), 104 W. 14th Street at 6th Avenue, New York City.  Ring buzzer #3, up 2 flights, first door on the right.  For more information, please email EAS.

The Regency class costs $18, or $12 for people attending for the first time; the Victorian class costs $15.

Comments

[Marilee J. Layman]

So how'd this go?

[Susan de Guardiola]

Extremely well. We did good work in both classes. We even got through four figures of L'Alliance, which is very respectable for a mixed-level group.

[Marilee J. Layman]

Cool!