Capering & Kickery

April 2020 Gig Calendar

Perhaps this should be more accurately called the non-gig calendar.  Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, I am home from Moscow and back in Connecticut and, needless to say, all upcoming events and lessons are canceled.  Like everyone else, I've no idea when things will return to normal.

I am considering doing online lectures or short dance lessons once I figure out the technical issues.  Ideas for this, or specific requests, are welcome - leave them as a comment here.  If I plan anything like this in April, I'll update this post.  Edited to add: and I am teaching at an online dance festival!  See below!

Stay safe.  Stay healthy.

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Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19th ~ ONLINE / RUSSIA-BASED
Historical Dance Festival Online
for Международный фестиваль"Анно Домини"
(VK schedule - Russian)  (Facebook event - English)
An online festival!  A dozen or so Russian teachers and I, thirteen hours of classes and lectures over two days.  The times are 11:00-18:00 Moscow time, or 4:00-11:00am Eastern (NYC) time, daily.  Adjust for your time zone!  My particular items:

(1) Saturday, 17:00-18:00 (Moscow time), "The Hunting of the Panurge", a lecture on looking for the history of "La Nouvelle Panurge", published by Collinet c1823.  (Facebook link with a bit more detail.)

(2) Sunday, 14:00-15:00 (Moscow time), "Five-Step Schottische", a workshop on the connections between waltz and schottische in the late nineteenth century.  (Facebook link with a bit more detail.)

(3) Sunday, 15:00-16:00 (Moscow time), "Schottische in the Ragtime Era", a lecture on the schottische variants that originated in the late nineteenth century and persisted into the early twentieth.  (Facebook link with a bit more detail.)

The festival costs a nominal five euros or 500 rubles for the weekend; register and pay in advance to receive the Zoom conference link.  For more information about the festival and about the other ten hours of classes and teachers in English, please see the Facebook and VK links above.  Russian info about the classes and teachers here; registration, here; schedule, at the link above.

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Coming in May:  More online things - talks and classes.  Watch this blog!

March 2020 Gig Calendar

Two exciting weekends of workshops this month: in Vladimir (with a ball!) and, for the first time, Yekaterinburg!  Plus regular classes in Moscow and more dancing at the American Center in Moscow!

Updated: quite a lot of things have been canceled due to coronavirus, including the weekend in Yekaterinburg and the dancing at the American Center.  We will reschedule when the health and safety situation improves!

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Tuesday, March 3rd ~ Moscow, Russia
Potpourri Class: American Traditions   (VK announcement)
19:00-22:00.  First in a series of five classes covering various American dances from the mid-19th century to the present day, including contra dances, quadrilles, two-step, one-step, cross-step waltz, and a bit of Steampunk!  The emphasis will be on improvisation in couple dances and working with a caller for the set dances.  Please see announcement for registration information.

 

Saturday-Monday, March 7-9th ~ Vladimir, Russia
A Weekend of Historical Dance in Vladimir
(VK event for weekend)  (VK event for ball)
Dance mini-festival!  Two days of workshops (Saturday-Sunday) and a ball (Monday) featuring 1800-1830s material.  This will be the first time in a few years that I've taught this era of dance in Russia, and I have brand-new dances from England, Scotland, and Ireland, including Duval's Third Set, some unusual German polonaise figures, and a trio of waltz cotillion (game) figures.  Also teaching (individually and with me) will be Nizhny Novgorod teacher Andrey Gospodchikov, with Russian waltz, mazurka, and cotillions (games) from the 1820s.

Tuesday, March 10th ~ Moscow, Russia
Potpourri Class: American Traditions   (VK announcement)
19:00-22:00.  Second in a series of five classes covering various American dances from the mid-19th century to the present day, including contra dances, quadrilles, two-step, one-step, cross-step waltz, and a bit of Steampunk!  The emphasis will be on improvisation in couple dances and working with a caller for the set dances.  Please see announcement for registration information.

Friday, March 13th ~ Moscow    Canceled due to coronavirus.
Masterclass: 19th Century American Social Dances
for the American Center in Moscow
(VK announcement)  (Facebook announcement)
18:30-20:00.  Free, beginner-friendly class on mid- to late nineteenth century contra dances and quadrilles.  No experience necessary, no partner needed.  Note that (1) we will be dancing on lightweight carpet, so the slipperiest possible shoes are encouraged (but dance-floor-restricted shoes are not necessary), and (2) embassy security procedures are in effect, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged; follow the class link above.  Part of a regular series happening once or twice a month.  

Tuesday, March 17th ~ Moscow, Russia
Potpourri Class: American Traditions   (VK announcement)
19:00-22:00.  Third in a series of five classes covering various American dances from the mid-19th century to the present day, including contra dances, quadrilles, two-step, one-step, cross-step waltz, and a bit of Steampunk!  The emphasis will be on improvisation in couple dances and working with a caller for the set dances.  Please see announcement for registration information.

Friday-Sunday, March 20th-22nd ~ Yekaterinburg, Russia   Canceled due to coronavirus.
Weekend of Master-Classes (VK event)
I will be teaching three distinct sets of classes: late sixteenth-century Renaissance dance (Friday night), cross-step waltz (Saturday), and late nineteenth-century American dance (Sunday afternoon).  Please see the VK event page linked above for details and registration!

Tuesday, March 24th ~ Moscow, Russia   Canceled due to coronavirus.
Potpourri Class: American Traditions   (VK announcement)
19:00-22:00.  Fourth in a series of five classes covering various American dances from the mid-19th century to the present day, including contra dances, quadrilles, two-step, one-step, cross-step waltz, and a bit of Steampunk!  The emphasis will be on improvisation in couple dances and working with a caller for the set dances.  Please see announcement for registration information.

 

Tuesday, March 31st ~ Moscow, Russia    Canceled due to coronavirus.
Potpourri Class: American Traditions   (VK announcement)
19:00-22:00.  Fifth and last in a series of five classes covering various American dances from the mid-19th century to the present day, including contra dances, quadrilles, two-step, one-step, cross-step waltz, and a bit of Steampunk!  The emphasis will be on improvisation in couple dances and working with a caller for the set dances.  Please see announcement for registration information.

 

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow (primarily Thursday nights and irregular weekends) or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: March 1-6, 10-19, 23-31  Canceled due to coronavirus.

February 2020 Gig Calendar

I'm having a ball!  Literally, a ball!  In Moscow!  In Russian and English!  Mixing all sorts of crazy dancing together!

I'll be doing other things this month too, but holding a ball in Moscow is something I've wanted to do for years, so I'm dipping my toe in with a small, beginner-friendly event.  Details and links to the ball prep classes will appear later in the month - check back for updates! 

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Saturday, February 1st ~ Moscow
17:30-19:30.  Private lesson.

Saturday, February 8th ~ Moscow
17:30-19:30.  Private lesson.

Sunday, February 9th ~ Moscow
Birthday Party ~ N.N. Lukyanov-Razumovsky  (VK event)
16:00-21:00.  I am not the main ball leader, but will be teaching a dance or two during the evening - most likely the Ragtime Crawl and my own waltz mixer Маша, пока! (Bye, Masha!).  Otherwise, I'll just be enjoying myself dancing!

Friday, February 14th ~ Moscow
Masterclass: 19th Century American Social Dances (Valentine Party)
(VK announcement)  (Facebook announcement)
for the American Center in Moscow
18:30-20:00.  Free, beginner-friendly class on mid- to late nineteenth century contra dances and quadrilles.  No experience necessary, no partner needed.  Note that (1) we will be dancing on lightweight carpet, so the slipperiest possible shoes are encouraged (but dance-floor-restricted shoes are not necessary), and (2) embassy security procedures are in effect, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged; follow the class link above.  Part of a regular series happening roughly every other Friday.  This class includes a small St. Valentine's Day party with light refreshments!

Saturday, February 22nd ~ Moscow
17:30-19:30.  Private lesson.

Saturday, February 22nd ~ Moscow
First Ball Prep Class for February 29th Ball
(VK class info link)  (VK event for ball) 
19:30-21:30.  First prep class for this ball.  See the class info link above for full details.  Note that security procedures are in effect, so names for the class are needed in advance, or pre-arrangement to meet someone to be taken through security.

Tuesday, February 25th ~ Moscow
Second Ball Prep Class for February 29th Ball
(VK class info link)  (VK event for ball) 
19:00-20:00.  Second prep class for this ball.  See the class info link above for full details.  Security procedures are in effect, so names for the class are needed in advance, or pre-arrangement to meet someone to be taken through security.  Anyone who attends the first class will receive an access pass there that will admit you to the complex for this class.  Note that this class is in a different studio than the first one!

Saturday, February 29th ~ Moscow
Masquerade Ball "Evening of Friendship"  (VK event)
16:00-20:15 (arrive 17:15, hall closes 21:00).  A lighthearted evening mixing American dances from the mid-nineteenth through the twenty-first century.  Contra dances, cotillion (game) figures, sequences, Steampunk dances, and lots of waltz!  This is beginner-oriented; most dances will be taught briefly, but see the listings above for two pre-ball prep classes.  Registration and all other pertinent information is available in both Russian and English at the VK link above.

 

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow (primarily Thursday nights and irregular weekends) or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: February 1-29

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Coming in March: more public classes in Moscow and a weekend of historical dance in Vladimir!

January 2020 Gig Calendar

Happy new year!  January is going to be a tough month, as I'm having to move to a new flat, which is a challenging task in Moscow.  But I'll still have a few events here and there!  Hopefully normal life will return in February!

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Monday, January 6th ~ Moscow, Russia
Festival-Competition Planet of the Arts-Moscow "Christmas Stars" (Festival website - in Russian)
10:00-18:00 (approximate).  Dance school contest and showcase.  I am serving as a judge.

Saturday, January 11th ~ Moscow
17:30-19:30.  Private lesson.

Friday, January 17th ~ Moscow
Masterclass: 19th Century American Social Dances
    (Facebook announcement) (VK announcement - in Russian)
for the American Center in Moscow
18:30-20:00.  Free, beginner-friendly class on mid- to late nineteenth century contra dances and quadrilles.  No experience necessary, no partner needed.  Note that (1) we will be dancing on lightweight carpet, so the slipperiest possible shoes are encouraged (but dance-floor-restricted shoes are not necessary), and (2) embassy security procedures are in effect, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged; follow the class link above.  Part of a regular series happening roughly every other Friday.

Saturday, January 18th ~ Moscow
18:00-20:00.  Private lesson.

Saturday, January 25th ~ Moscow
Black & White Chess Ball (in Russian)
for Ballroom Dance Studio "Ларец"
15:00-18:00 (arrival 14:00).  I am attending this primarily as a social event, but I will briefly teach the mid- to late-19th century American version of the Spanish Dance.  Dress code: black and white.  Tickets 700 rubles in advance, 900 at door.  See link above (in Russian) for ball program, location, etc.

Saturday, January 25th ~ Moscow
19:15-21:15.  Private lesson.

Friday, January 31st ~ Moscow
Masterclass: 19th Century American Social Dances
    (Facebook announcement) (VK announcement - in Russian)
for the American Center in Moscow
18:30-20:00.  Free, beginner-friendly class on mid- to late nineteenth century contra dances and quadrilles.  No experience necessary, no partner needed.  Note that (1) we will be dancing on lightweight carpet, so the slipperiest possible shoes are encouraged (but dance-floor-restricted shoes are not necessary), and (2) embassy security procedures are in effect, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged; follow the class link above.  Part of a regular series happening roughly every other Friday.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow (primarily Thursday nights and irregular weekends) or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: January 6-31

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Coming in February: public classes in Moscow, a Valentine dance at the American Center, and a ball!

December 2019 Gig Calendar

December will be a quite month of hibernation, research, and private lessons and classes.  The dance series at the American Center at the U. S. Embassy will continue with one regular dance and a holiday party!

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Sunday, December 1st ~ Moscow
16:00-18:00.  Private lesson.

Tuesday, December 3rd ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class.

Friday, December 6th ~ Moscow
Masterclass: 19th Century American Social Dances
for the American Center in Moscow
18:30-20:00.  Free, beginner-friendly class on mid- to late nineteenth century contra dances and quadrilles.  No experience necessary, no partner needed.  Note that (1) we will be dancing on lightweight carpet, so the slipperiest possible shoes are encouraged (but dance-floor-restricted shoes are not necessary), and (2) embassy security procedures are in effect, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged; follow the class link above.  Part of a regular series happening roughly every other Friday.

Saturday, December 7th ~ Moscow
20:00-22:00.  Private lesson.        Cancelled

Tuesday, December 10th ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class.

Tuesday, December 17th ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class.

Friday, December 20th ~ Moscow
Masterclass: 19th Century American Social Dances
for the American Center in Moscow
18:30-20:00.  Holiday party!  Free, beginner-friendly class on mid- to late nineteenth century contra dances and quadrilles.  No experience necessary, no partner needed.  Note that (1) we will be dancing on lightweight carpet, so the slipperiest possible shoes are encouraged (but dance-floor-restricted shoes are not necessary), and (2) embassy security procedures are in effect, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged; follow the class link above.  Part of a regular series happening roughly every other Friday.  This week will be an informal party - light refreshments will be served and festive attire is encouraged (but not required).

 

Saturday, December 14th ~ Moscow
17:30-19:30.  Private lesson.

Saturday, December 21st ~ Moscow
17:30-19:30.  Private lesson.

Tuesday, December 24th ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class.

Sunday, December 29th ~ Moscow
19:00-21:00.  Private lesson.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow (primarily Thursday nights and irregular weekends) or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: December 1-31

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Coming in January: public classes in Moscow and more dances at the American Center!

October 2019 Gig Calendar

I am once more happily ensconced in Russia!  I am not launching a full public schedule this month, but I will be experimenting with teaching a short class at the American Center in Moscow (part of the U.S. Embassy); if it goes well, it will become a regular series.  And I may throw a small party at the end of the month - watch this post for updates!  (Edited to add - but I decided not to!  Maybe later in the autumn!)

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Tuesday, October 1st ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class

Tuesday, October 8th ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class

Saturday, October 12th ~ Moscow
17:15-19:15.  Private lesson

Tuesday, October 15th ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class

Friday, October 18th ~ Moscow
Masterclass: 19th Century American Social Dances
for the American Center in Moscow (VK post)  (Facebook post)
18:30-20:00.  Free, beginner-friendly class on mid- to late nineteenth century contra dances and quadrilles.  No experience necessary, no partner needed.  Note that (1) we will be dancing on lightweight carpet, so the slipperiest possible shoes are encouraged (but dance-floor-restricted shoes are not necessary), and (2) embassy security procedures are in effect, so pre-registration is required; see the form here (in Russian).  If all goes well, this will be the first class in a regular series in November and December.

Saturday, October 19th ~ Moscow
17:30-19:30.  Private lesson

Tuesday, October 22nd ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class

Saturday, October 26th ~ Moscow
Festival-Competition Planet of the Arts-Moscow (Event website - in Russian)
11:00-18:30.  Dance school contest and showcase.  I am serving as a judge and offering a short class on a couple of historical American contra dances.

Tuesday, October 29th ~ Moscow
19:00-22:00.  Private class

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow (primarily Thursday nights and irregular weekends) or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: October 1-31

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Coming in November: classes in Kyiv, Ukraine, and back to the USA for Remembrance Day Weekend!

September 2019 Gig Calendar

One last non-gig calendar for my extended summer vacation!  This month I am moving back to Russia, and starting in October there will once more be classes, parties, and the occasional weekend of travel.  I don't expect any public events this month.  In the meantime, I am still available for private lessons in Connecticut before I leave (though I will be super-busy packing!)  and in Moscow once I arrive.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

See you in October!

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Saturday, September 21st ~ Moscow
17:30-18:30.  Private lesson

Saturday, September 28th ~ Moscow
17:30-19:30.  Private lesson

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Connecticut: September 1-14
Moscow, Russia: September 17-30

August 2019 Gig Calendar

I probably should start calling these summer calendars non-gig calendars, since I'm having a quiet summer dance-wise.  I don't have anything planned this month, nor am I planning to change that.  I am still available for private lessons in Connecticut when I'm there.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

See you in September!

Connecticut: August 1-12, 20-31
Dublin, Ireland: August 13-18

July 2019 Gig Calendar

I am still mostly on my summer reading/research/writing break, but I plan to emerge briefly for my second lecture to the Beau Monde (Regency-focused) subgroup of the Romance Writers of America at their conference in New York in July.  Other events may emerge, but I'm not really seeking them.  Lots of work to do!

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Tuesday, July 23rd ~ New York City
Beau Monde Annual Conference and Soirée
3:15-4:15pm, lecture; 7:30-11:00pm, soirée.  Regency romance writers' conference.  I will be delivering a lecture on Regency-era dance and ballroom etiquette and leading the dancing at the evening soirée.  This event is open to registered members of the conference only, with a limit of one hundred attendees.  Pre-registration cutoff is July 13th.  See the conference webpage for details.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven, CT: July 1-22, 25-31
New York City: July 23-24

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June 2019 Gig Calendar

I have some personal and research travel planned during June, but otherwise am taking my annual summer reading/research/writing break.  I don't expect (and am not looking for) any public events at all this month.  I am still available for private lessons in Connecticut, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Connecticut: June 1-7, 14-18, 25-30
New York City: June 8-9
Boston area: June 10-13

May 2019 Gig Calendar

Last month in Moscow!  Along with preparing for my homeward migration at the end of the month, I'll be traveling to Odessa for Vintage Dance Exchange 2019 - By the Sea and teaching a full slate of waltz and nineteenth-century classes and private lessons.

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Friday, May 3rd ~ Moscow, Russia
Private class
3:00-6:00pm
Noted here just to hold the date/time.

Sunday, May 5th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private lesson
6:00-8:00pm
Noted here just to hold the date/time.

Thursday-Sunday, May 9-12th ~ Odessa, Ukraine
Vintage Dance Exchange 2019 - By the Sea (Facebook event)
A weekend of classes, balls, and parties with multiple teachers and both historical and folk dance!  My classes will include: Gentle Polka Mazurka Variations (late 19th century American), Dolce Amoroso Fuoco (16th century Italian), Musicality: New Waltz Musical Crossovers (late 19th century American), Quadrille Cinq Parties du Monde (mid-19th century French), and more!  Events will include an open mic dance party, a Renaissance ball, a Regency picnic, a late nineteenth century ball, a trip to the Odessa opera, and an early twentieth century afterparty.

Tuesdays, May 14th & 21st  ~ Moscow, Russia
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz
7:00-10:00pm; lessons 7:00-8:15/8:30-9:45 + two 15-minute practice sessions.  New variations and review of material from 2018-2019 season.

Thursdays, May 16th, 23rd, 30th ~ Moscow, Russia
Late 19th Century Polka Mazurka Plus
7:00-9:00pm
Improvisation in polka mazurka using steps and sequences from American variations of the 1880s.  Emphasis on musicality.  Steps work with polka-mazurka, redowa, and mazurka music.  Also: applying these variations in galop and jig time!  Pay by the week or for the full four-week course.

Friday, May 24th ~ Moscow, Russia
Beginner's couple dance class
8:00pm
Easy partner dance choreographies from the early 20th century!  Beginner-friendly! 

Saturdays, May 19th & 26th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private lessons
5:15-7:15pm
Noted here just to hold the dates/times.

Tuesday, May 28th ~ Moscow, Russia
Farewell Waltz Party (VK event - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz!  Light refreshments.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly or (Russians) contact me on VK if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: May 1-6, 13-31
Odessa, Ukraine: May 8-12

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April 2019 Gig Calendar

April is going to be busy with local teaching for me: my regular weekly cross-step and "polka mazurka" (now expanding to all sorts of late-nineteenth-century dance) classes and waltz party plus private lessons and an Easter ball!  In between, I'll be preparing a whole list of classes for Vintage Dance Exchange 2019 - By the Sea, coming up in mid-May in Odessa!

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Tuesdays, April 2nd, 9th, 16th  ~ Moscow, Russia
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz (generic VK post with times - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm; lessons 7:00-8:15/8:30-9:45 + two 15-minute practice sessions
Concentration on "skater's" variations done with matched feet and making smooth and subtle transitions from matched to mirrored feet and through different arm positions!  Second and third classes will incorporate tango variations from the second class as well!  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 23rd

Thursdays, April 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th ~ Moscow, Russia
Late 19th Century Polka Mazurka Plus (generic VK post with times - in Russian)
7:00-9:00pm
Improvisation in polka mazurka using steps and sequences from American variations of the 1880s.  Emphasis on musicality.  Steps work with polka-mazurka, redowa, and mazurka music.  Also: applying these variations in galop and jig time!  Pay by the week or for the full four-week course.

Saturdays, April 13th & 20th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private lessons
5:15-6:15pm
Noted here just to hold the dates/times.

Saturday, April 13th
Easter ball preparatory class (VK announcement - in Russian)
7:00-9:30pm
I will be teaching from about 8:00-8:45; the rest will be the other ball leaders.  Easy choreographies!  First of three.

Saturday, April 20th
Easter ball preparatory class
7:00-9:30pm
Second of three, details TBA.

Tuesday, April 23rd ~ Moscow, Russia
Spring Waltz Party (VK event - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz!  Light refreshments.

Friday, April 26th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private lesson
9:00-10:00pm
Noted here just to hold the date/time.

Saturday, April 27th
Easter ball preparatory class
7:00-9:30pm
Third of three, details TBA.

Sunday, April 28th ~ Moscow, Russia
Easter Ball (VK event - in Russian)  (Facebook photo-announcement - in Russian)
Easter ball [note: Orthodox Easter!] mixing historical, modern, and traditional dancing.  I am co-directing with dance studio "Russian Traditions" and Pavel Kundius.  Dress code: early 19th century (1800-1840) or modern formal; pink/red colors encouraged for ladies.  (See prep class on April 13th above!)

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: April 1-5, 8-30
Tula, Russia: April 6-7

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Coming in May: Vintage Dance Exchange 2019 - By the Sea! in Odessa, Ukraine!

March 2019 Gig Calendar

Local classes only this month as the Moscow winter hopefully wraps up: cross-step waltz (two intermediate classes) and polka mazurka variations with a bit of a wander through other musical rhythms as well, plus my monthly waltz evening.  Lots of research and writing in between...

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Tuesdays, March 5th, 12th, 19th  ~ Moscow, Russia
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz: Skater's Variations (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:15pm; practice time 8:15-8:45pm
Concentration on "skater's" variations done with matched feet and making smooth and subtle transitions from matched to mirrored feet and through different arm positions!  Second and third classes will incorporate tango variations from the second class as well!  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 26th.

Tuesdays, March 5th, 12th, 19th ~ Moscow, Russia
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz: Tango Variations (VK post - in Russian)
8:45-10:00pm; practice time 8:15-8:45pm
Variations from tango, including lunges, molinetes, ruedas, scissors, and ganchos.  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 26th.

Thursdays, March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th ~ Moscow, Russia
Late 19th Century Polka Mazurka Variations (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-9:00pm
Improvisation in polka mazurka using steps and sequences from American variations of the 1880s.  Emphasis on musicality.  Steps work with polka-mazurka, redowa, and mazurka music.  Also: applying these variations in galop and jig time!  Pay by the week or for the full four-week course.

Saturdays, March 16th & 23rd ~ Moscow, Russia
Private lessons
6:00-7:00pm
Noted here just to hold the dates/times.

Tuesday, March 26th ~ Moscow, Russia
Belated St. Patrick's Day Waltz Party (VK event - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz!  Light refreshments.  Wearing of the green!

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: March 1-31

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February 2019 Gig Calendar

I will spend most of February in Moscow, with one trip to Saratov at the end of the month for a weekend of classes on late nineteenth and early twentieth century dance, with an emphasis on improvisation in everything from tango and foxtrot to polka mazurka and quadrilles.  This is something of a sequel to my intensive weekend in Samara three years ago.  I'm really excited about teaching this material -- finally, back to advanced nineteenth century! -- and visiting a new Russian city!

Other than that -- my usual classes, a waltz party, and balls to attend!

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Tuesdays, February 5th, 12th, 19th  ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz for Beginners: Skater's Variations (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:15pm; practice time 8:15-8:45pm
Concentration on "skater's" variations done with matched feet and making smooth foot changes, plus a cross-step line dance!  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 26th.

Tuesdays, February 5th, 12th, 19th ~ Moscow, Russia
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz: Skater's Variatons (VK post - in Russian)
8:45-10:00pm; practice time 8:15-8:45pm
More complex figures and techniques for shifting between shadow, skater's, hammerlock, and cradle positions.  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 26th.

Thursday, February 7th ~ Moscow, Russia
Open Cross-Step Practice (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-9:00pm
Open dance floor for cross-step practice.  I will DJ and practice with people individually but am not doing any formal teaching.

Thursdays, February 14th, 21st, 28th ~ Moscow, Russia
Late 19th Century Polka Mazurka Variations (VK post - in Russian, second, third)
7:00-9:00pm
Three classes on improvisation in polka mazurka using steps and sequences from American variations of the 1880s.  Emphasis on musicality.  Steps work with polka-mazurka, redowa, and mazurka music.

Saturday-Sunday, February 23rd-24th - Saratov, Russia
Master Classes in XIX and XX Century Dance (VK community - in Russian)
Weekend of classes in the dances of the late nineteenth to early twentieth century; emphasis on couple dance improvisation.  Topic include: late nineteenth century waltz, polka, and polka-mazurka variations; 1840s polka figures and the Orientale; 1910s tango and foxtrot; and American-style called quadrilles (both dancing and calling).

Tuesday, February 26th ~ Moscow, Russia
Mardi Gras Waltz Party (VK event - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz!  Light refreshments.  Purple/green/gold clothing and masks encouraged (but not required)!

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: February 1-21, 25-28

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January 2019 Gig Calendar

Happy new year!  January is going to be a quiet month for me.  I'm going to DJ blues in Russia for the first time at a swing dance camp, which I'm really looking forward to, and restart my regular waltz and historical dance classes and parties at some point (edited 1/27/19 to add) with a waltz evening at the end of the month before beginning regular classes in February.  Most of my time after the holidays (through January 8th in Russia!) is going to be spent on some research projects and pulling together a bunch of material for my February weekend in Saratov.

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Friday/Saturday, January 4th/5th ~ Moscow, Russia area
Moscow Christmas Swing Dance Camp (January 3rd-8th)
Five-day camp covering Lindy, Balboa, blues, and more.  I will be DJing a blues set or two late (after 1:00am) the night of the 4th -- technically, in the very early hours of the 5th.

Tuesday, January 29th ~ Moscow, Russia
Winter Waltz Party (VK Event - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz.  Light refreshments.

Thursday, January 31st ~ Moscow, Russia
Private class

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: January 6-31

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Coming in February: a weekend of nineteenth and early twentieth century dance in Saratov!

December 2018 Gig Calendar

I'll have just one short trip in December, plus a Christmas waltz party and wrapping up my classes for the year!  Plus, I'll be teaching a quick lesson in cross-step waltz (probably the standard mixer) at a Russian-organized ball.  I'm hoping to do this entirely in my still-fragmented but (hopefully) comprehensible Russian, with no English at all and without using a translator.    We'll see how that goes...

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Sunday, December 2nd ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz Lesson at "Back to the USSR" Ball  (VK event - in Russian)
4:00pm (ball begins)
A brief (10-minute) introductory lesson as part of a much larger multi-teacher event to be held in a Soviet-era bunker!

Tuesdays, December 4th, 11th, 18th  ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz for Beginners (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:30pm
Introduction to all basic figures of cross-step waltz.  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 25th.

Tuesdays, December 4th, 11th, 18th ~ Moscow, Russia
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz (VK post - in Russian)
8:30-10:00pm 
More complex figures and techniques for cross-step waltz.  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 25th.

Thursdays, December 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th ~ Moscow, Russia
Belle Epoque (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:30pm
Continuing my autumn course of dances of late 19th century France.  Pay by the week or by the month.

Thursdays, December 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th ~ Moscow, Russia
Unusual 1910s Dances (VK post - in Russian)
8:30-10:00pm
My ongoing autumn course on the more unusual dances of the 1910s, including improvisation in the maxixe and hesitation waltz, the social dances of Anna Pavlova, and perhaps a few small surprises!  Pay by the week or by the month. 

Saturday-Sunday, December 15-16th ~ Vladimir, Russia
Dance Weekend (VK group - in Russian)
Classes Saturday (2:00-9:00pm) and Sunday (10:00am-12:00pm) and a "Journey Around the World" party Sunday afternoon/evening (3:00-9:00pm) (VK party event - in Russian).  Saturday classes will cover late nineteenth century French schottische and Pas de Quatre, several group dances of the era, and some American mixer dances from the 1940s.  Sunday's classes will be primarily 1910s Half & Half and sequences (tango and hesitation waltz), possibly with some French group dances spilling over from Saturday.  Party dress code: 1880s-1910s or modern formal or military uniform.

Tuesday, December 25th ~ Moscow, Russia
[Western] Christmas Waltz Party (VK event - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz.  Light refreshments.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: December 1-14, 17-31

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Giving Thanks!

It's that time of year again!  America celebrates Thanksgiving, and this American living abroad, sans turkey and trimmings, celebrates by thanking two sets of organizers who have hired me regularly for events. 

As everyone who knows me understands, I love visiting new places and teaching new groups.  But it's also a special delight to have places and events I return to regularly, making friends and developing communities and watching dancers progress over time.

First, my thanks to John and Nancy Newbold, who have hired me every year since 2007 (with me missing 2016 through no fault of theirs) to conduct one or both of their balls for the Remembrance Day Weekend in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  I just returned from Gettysburg a few days ago after conducting both balls, and I was reminded once again how wonderful it is to be welcomed year after year by the Remembrance Day Ball regulars and to be able to bring new material to such a friendly group, savor the joy of leading groups of such varied skill levels successfully through dances, and simply see everyone having such a good time.  (And those chocolate-framed favors...mmm!)

Second, my thanks to Oleksii Kryvenko and Svetlana Evsyukova, organizers of three Vintage Dance Exchanges and three Waltz Weekends in Kyiv, Ukraine, from the spring of 2016 to just a few weeks ago.  My being able to visit and teach the same core group repeatedly half a dozen times over a few years has resulted in a small group of dancers with the skill set that makes me happiest, understanding both the common and the distinct elements of modern (cross-step) and historical (19th and early 20th century) dances and being able to combine them smoothly and switch easily between different styles and types of music.  That's something I haven't had since the end of a seven-year stretch of regulars in my old Monday night classes.  It makes me unbelievably happy as a teacher to see a group of dancers really work at these fundamental skills (not always the most fun process!) until practice pays off with this level of achievement.  All credit to Oleksii and Svetlana as organizers and as teachers who review and reinforce what I teach when I visit. And extra thanks to Svetlana for her superb partnering as well!

Having events with both sets of organizers in one month this year was magic.

Thanks.

November 2018 Gig Calendar

November will be rather hectic, with a journey to Kyiv, Ukraine, for our third Kyiv Waltz Weekend and a grueling weekend trip back to the USA for the Remembrance Day Balls in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  See you on the dance floor!

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Thursdays, November 1st, 8th, 22nd, 29th ~ Moscow, Russia
Belle Epoque (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:30pm
Continuing my autumn course of dances of late 19th century France.  Pay by the week or by the month.  NOTE: no class on the 15th as I will be in Gettysburg!

Thursdays, November 1st, 8th, 22nd, 29th ~ Moscow, Russia
Unusual 1910s Dances (VK post - in Russian)
8:30-10:00pm
First in my autumn course on the more unusual dances of the 1910s, including improvisation in the maxixe and hesitation waltz, the social dances of Anna Pavlova, and perhaps a few small surprises!  Pay by the week or by the month.  NOTE: no class on the 15th as I will be in Gettysburg!

Saturday-Sunday, November 3rd-4th ~ Kyiv, Ukraine
Kyiv Waltz Weekend (Facebook event for weekend) (Facebook event for afterparty)
Weekend of waltz workshops and dances, primarily cross-step.  Four hours of classes per day and a Sunday afterparty with DJ music - a combination of waltz and other social dances.

Tuesdays, November 6th, 13th, 20th  ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz for Beginners (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:30pm
Introduction to all basic figures of cross-step waltz.  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 26th.

Tuesdays, November 6th, 13th, 20th ~ Moscow, Russia
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz (VK post - in Russian)
8:30-10:00pm 
More complex figures and techniques for cross-step waltz.  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 26th.

Friday & Saturday, November 16th & 17th ~ Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The 16th Annual Remembrance Day Dinner & Ball (Facebook community) 
5:30pm-midnight each day.  TWO nights!  TWO formal dinners!  TWO balls!  Both evenings are formal Civil War-era events with pre-1865 costume (civilian or military) required.  Advance reservations (dinner and ball or ball-only) are needed, and this event generally sells out well in advance!  Friday night's ball is Fancy Dress/Masquerade with a Scottish/Tartan theme, complete with a piper to lead the Grand March.  Saturday will feature a patriotic theme.  I will be calling both evenings this year, with live music both nights and different dance programs!

Tuesday, November 26th ~ Moscow, Russia
Themeless Waltz Party
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz.  Light refreshments.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: November 1, 6-14, 19-30
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA: November 17

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Coming in December: a weekend of historical dance in Vladimir!

October 2018 Gig Calendar

Back in Moscow for the school year!  I'll be doing four courses this autumn on cross-step waltz and historical dance plus a small waltz party at the end of the month.  No travel before November as I settle in!

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Tuesdays, October 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz for Beginners (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:30pm
Introduction to all basic figures of cross-step waltz.  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 30th.

Tuesdays, October 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd ~ Moscow, Russia
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz (VK post - in Russian)
8:30-10:00pm
More complex figures and techniques for cross-step waltz.  Pay by the week or for a full month including the waltz party on the 30th.

Thursdays, October 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th ~ Moscow, Russia
Belle Epoque (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:30pm
Continuing my autumn course of dances of late 19th century France.  Pay by the week or by the month.

Thursdays, October 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th ~ Moscow, Russia
Unusual 1910s Dances (VK post - in Russian)
8:30-10:00pm
First in my autumn course on the more unusual dances of the 1910s, including improvisation in the maxixe and hesitation waltz, the social dances of Anna Pavlova, and perhaps a few small surprises!  Pay by the week or by the month.

Tuesday, October 30th ~ Moscow, Russia
Halloween Waltz Party (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz.  Light refreshments.  Costumes encouraged!

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Moscow, Russia: October 1-31

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Coming in November: a waltz weekend in Kyiv, Ukraine, and a quick trip to the USA for two Remembrance Day balls in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania!

September 2018 Gig Calendar

September includes my last few weeks in the USA before my biannual transatlantic migration; the last week will be spent settling into my Moscow life once more.  I'll be taking some vacation early in the month (real vacation this time - no dance gigs sneaking in!) and then have some research time and a pair of DJ gigs in Boston before heading home to pack!

Once in Moscow, I'll pick up my autumn schedule quickly with a waltz party to launch my cross-step classes and a pair of historical classes covering the 1880s-1890s and 1910s with a special emphasis on dance connections to Russia in both France and America.

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Tuesday, September 9th ~ Cambridge, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Second Sun Rising (Facebook event)
7:00-11:00pm (one-hour lesson then dancing).  DJing fusion for the second half, 9:30-11:00pm.  

Tuesday, September 11th ~ Cambridge, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Bluesy Tuesy (Facebook event)
7:30-11:00pm (lesson then dancing).  DJing blues for the second set, 9:45-11:00pm.  This will be my last public event in the USA before departing for Russia!

Tuesday, September 25th ~ Moscow, Russia
Return to Moscow Waltz Party (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-10:00pm.  Waltz, waltz, and more waltz.  Light refreshments.  Details TBA.

Thursday, September 27th ~ Moscow, Russia
Belle Epoque (VK post - in Russian)
7:00-8:30pm
First in my autumn course of dances of late 19th century France.  Details TBA.  Pay for the season as a whole (12 classes and one party) or for the individual class.

Thursday, September 27th ~ Moscow, Russia
Unusual 1910s Dances (VK post - in Russian)
8:30-10:00pm
First in my autumn course on the more unusual dances of the 1910s, including improvisation in the maxixe and hesitation waltz, the social dances of Anna Pavlova, and perhaps a few small surprises!  Pay for the season as a whole (12 classes and one party) or for the individual class.

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I am available for private lessons when in residence in either Connecticut or Moscow, or while on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: September 4-5, 13-21
Boston area: September 10-12
Moscow, Russia: September 23-30

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August 2018 Gig Calendar

Emerging from my summer hibernation -- how did I get my hibernation season so out of whack? -- I'll be on the road this month for blues in Boston (sadly, this trip has been canceled) and a somewhat random bunch of workshops in San Jose, California, where a non-dance-related trip has turned into something of a busman's holiday!  

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Thursday-Saturday, August 16-18 ~ San Jose, California
Dance workshops at the 76th Annual World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon76) (Facebook)
I will be conducting workshops on Victorian couple dancing (with a Steampunk focus), historical dances done in trios, and cross-step waltz (beginner level); leading a morning "dancercize" session; DJing a waltz session; and doing a mini-class on hand jive.  I'll also be partnering for a basic swing dance workshop.  My full schedule is here.  Note: these workshops are restricted to day or weekend members of the convention.  Please see the Worldcon76 website for information about membership.

Tuesday, August 28th ~ Cambridge, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Bluesy Tuesy 
7:30-11:00pm (lesson then dancing).  DJing blues for the second set, 9:45-11:00pm.

Thursday, August 30th ~ Somerville, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Blues Union
7:30-11:00pm (lessons until 9:30 then dancing).  I'll be DJing blues from 9:30-10:30.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: August 1-14, 22-31
San Jose, California: August 16-20
Boston area: August 28-30

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July 2018 Gig Calendar

July is going to be another quiet month for me, holed up at home doing a bunch of unrelated work, writing, research, etc.  I'll make a brief research trip to Boston and do some DJing on the side, and I may be out and about later in the month.

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Tuesday, July 10th ~ Cambridge, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Bluesy Tuesy (Facebook event)
7:30-11:00pm (lesson then dancing).  DJing blues for the second set, 9:45-11:00pm.

Thursday, June 12th ~ Somerville, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Blues Union (Facebook event)
7:30-11:00pm (lessons until 9:30 then dancing).  I'll be DJing blues from 9:30-10:30.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: July 1-9, 13-26, 30-31
Boston area: July 10-12

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June 2018 Gig Calendar

I'm thrilled to start out June with another trip to Kyiv before heading back to the USA at last! 

I am not planning any further public classes in June, just research, writing, and non-dance projects.  And maybe a little vacation!

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Saturday-Sunday, June 2-3 ~ Kyiv, Ukraine
Cross-Step Waltz Weekend (Facebook event - Ukrainian)
Four waltz classes each day, evening party Saturday (I will be DJing), and afterparty Sunday (details in Ukrainian here).

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: June 6-13, 16-30
Boston area: June 14-15

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May 2018 Gig Calendar

A light month for me, with the first half of it taken out by Russian holidays and some private travel.  I'll only have a short cross-step course and a final party before I head back to the USA for the summer!

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Tuesdays, May 15, 22 ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz Mini-Course
19:00-21:00.  Intermediate cross-step waltz; previous experience required.  Mini-course registration packaged with the party on May 29th!

Tuesday, May 29 ~ Moscow, Russia
Waltz Evening/Farewell Party (VKontakte event - Russian)
19:00-22:00.  The end of my teaching year in Moscow!  Come celebrate with an evening of waltz (cross-step and otherwise!)  Included with May mini-course.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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April 2018 Gig Calendar

April is going to be a little bit insane for me with preparing new dances and classes for the Kyiv (Ukraine) dance festival and ongoing non-dance-related volunteer work.  I'll be continuing with a waltz class and hoping to get out to some of the  post-Easter Moscow balls!

Sanity and time will return in May...

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Tuesdays, April 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz Series
19:00-21:00.  Intermediate cross-step waltz; previous experience required.

Thursday-Sunday, April 19-22 ~ Kyiv, Ukraine
Vintage Dance Exchange 2018 (Facebook event) (VKontakte event - Ukrainian)
Four-day dance festival with two balls, three dance parties, and thirty-eight classes!  I will be teaching nine classes on dances and movement from the Regency era to the 1940s, plus a dance reconstruction class!  Festival starts Wednesday night, but I will only be there for four days.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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March 2018 Gig Calendar

I'm planning another quiet month in March, as I have some substantial non-dance-related obligations for the last half of the month.  I'll be continuing my public and private waltz classes, but otherwise will be fairly invisible!

Any groups or individuals in Moscow or elsewhere in Russia or Europe that might be interested in workshops from now through May should contact me directly.  American gigs can resume in June!

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Tuesdays, March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th ~ Moscow, Russia
Kaleidoscope Waltz Series: Cross-Step/Trois Temps transitions
19:00-20:30.  Intermediate cross-step waltz; previous experience required.

Tuesdays, March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private classes

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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Coming in April: Vintage Dance Exchange 2018 in Kyiv, Ukraine!

February 2018 Gig Calendar

February will be a writing month for me, staying close to home-2 (Moscow) and trying to catch up on an enormous pile of unfinished work.  I'll be continuing my public and private waltz classes and conducting another small waltz party, and might add a couple of other one-shot classes, but overall I am planning a quiet month!

Any groups or individuals in Moscow or elsewhere in Russia or Europe that might be interested in workshops from now through May should contact me directly.  No American gigs through the end of May unless accompanied by plane tickets!

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Tuesdays, February 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz Series
19:00-20:30.  Intermediate cross-step waltz; previous experience required.  Note: must pre-register to get a pass for site security!

Tuesdays, February 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private classes 

Saturday, February 17th RESCHEDULED TO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24th ~ Moscow Russia
Waltz Party (VK post - Russian) (updated VK post - Russian)
16:00-19:00.  16:00-18:00  Informal afternoon dance, primarily cross-step waltz with some faster waltzes.  Light refreshments, recorded music.  Must pre-register for site security if you do not already have a pass from my classes!

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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January 2018 Gig Calendar

I'll be starting off 2018 with a quick trip to London, where I'll attempt to hit several libraries and pick up a couple of sources relevant to some small projects I've been working on.  I will not have time to teach on this trip.  Afterward, it's back to Moscow and my waltz classes and a couple of Russian balls to attend as I attempt to keep warm through the worst of the Russian winter!

Other than the London trip, I am not planning to travel out of Moscow for the remainder of January, but I will continue teaching regular waltz classes on Tuesday evenings.  For the latest information on those, join my VK community (Russian).

Any groups in Moscow or elsewhere in Russia or Europe that might be interested in workshops from February through May should contact me directly. 

(Edited to add: my waltz classes have spawned a party!  See below for a small waltz event on January 20th!)

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Tuesdays, January 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz Series (VK post - Russian) (more information - Russian)
19:00-20:30.  Intermediate cross-step waltz; previous experience required.  Note: must pre-register to get a pass for site security!

Tuesdays, January 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private classes 

Saturday, January 20th ~ Moscow Russia
Waltz Party (VK post - Russian) (more information - Russian)
17:00-19:00.  Informal afternoon dance, primarily cross-step waltz with some faster waltzes.  Light refreshments, recorded music.  Must pre-register for site security if you do not already have a pass from my classes!

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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December 2017 Gig Calendar

Living this binational life keeps me insanely busy, but I'm thrilled to be teaching a higher-level waltz series this month in Moscow, plus private classes and a return to beautiful Vladimir for a weekend of master-classes there!  

I do not have much more availability for December, so the classes below are probably all I'll do this month.  Any groups in Moscow or elsewhere in Russia or Europe that might be interested in workshops in 2018 should contact me directly.  I'm also interested in exploring the Moscow blues community and maybe seeing about some DJing while I'm here.

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Saturday-Sunday, December 2nd-3rd ~ Vladimir, Russia
Master-classes in Vladimir (VK event - Russian)
Classes in early nineteenth century dance (unusual country dance and quadrille figures), late sixteenth century dance (Negri's La Catena d'Amore), and early twentieth century dance (American contra dance and couple dancing 1910s-1920s).

Tuesdays, December 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th ~ Moscow, Russia
Cross-Step Waltz Series
19:00-20:30.  Intermediate cross-step waltz; previous experience required.

Tuesdays, December 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private classes 

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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November 2017 Gig Calendar

I'm fully settled in Moscow now, and my November teaching schedule here is a pleasant mix of modern waltz and early twentieth century dance, continuing my work with Studio "Танец весны"  and teaching advanced waltz classes on my own.  I'll also be making a lightning trip back to the USA on Remembrance Day weekend to return to my long-running engagement leading 1860s dancing at The President's Remembrance Day Ball in Gettysburg!

I do not have much availability for the rest of 2017, but groups in Moscow or elsewhere in Russia or Europe that might be interested in workshops should contact me directly.

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Thursdays, November 2nd, 9th ~ Moscow, Russia
Twentieth Century American Social Dance Course (VKontakte community - Russian)
For Studio "Танец весны".  Last two classes in a six-week course covering basic cross-step waltz (1990s-present) and early ragtime dances (1890s-1910s): two-step, five-step (schottische), and 1910s-style New England contra dance.  Details (Russian) at the VK community!

Monday, November 5th
American square dance class for Studio "Танец весны". 
20:00-21:00.  One-hour workshop during part of ongoing nineteenth-century dance series of Studio "Танец весны". 

Tuesdays, November 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private classes

Thursday, November 16th ~ Moscow Russia
Evening of Twentieth Century Social Dance
19:00-22:00.  Dance event for Studio "Танец весны".  I will be calling a couple of contra dances but mostly just dancing!

Saturday, November 18th ~ Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The 15th Annual Remembrance Day Dinner & Ball (Facebook community) 
5:30pm-midnight.  Formal Civil War-era dinner and ball with live music by The Fleeting Moments Waltz and Quickstep Orchestra!  Pre-1865 costume (civilian or military) is required.  This year's event is the "Prince of Wales" ball, with ladies requested to wear light-colored gowns and tiaras, and/or trim their gowns with crystal and white flowers, and gentlemen requested to wear white boutonnieres!  Reservations required (dinner and ball or ball-only).  There is a Friday night fancy dress (masquerade) ball as well, precepted by Steve Buckmiller -- see the event website or the Destination Gettysburg event page for more information!  This event generally sells out; purchase tickets in advance! 

Sunday, November 19th ~ Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Private event 

Thursdays, November 23rd, 30th ~ Moscow, Russia
Twentieth Century American Social Dance Course (VKontakte community - Russian)
For Studio "Танец весны".  First two classes in a new six-week course covering basic cross-step waltz (1990s-present), 1910s tango, and 1910s-style New England contra dance.  More details TBA.    Course cancelled.

Saturday, November 25th ~ Moscow, Russia
Waltz Kaleidoscope Class (Вальсовый калейдоскоп)  (VKontakte event - Russian)
17:00-19:00.  Workshop in combining and shifting between cross-step waltz and valse à trois temps (rotary waltz).  Basic knowledge of both waltzes required.  

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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Coming up in December: Moscow classes continue, with added waltz classes, and a weekend of dance in Vladimir!

October 2017 Gig Calendar

As of October I am back in teaching mode in Moscow!  This will be a light month as I get myself settled, but I will be teaching a six-week class series on a variety of twentieth century American dances and am actively working on setting up a few more things -- check back for possible additions later in the month.  (10/29/17: schedule is now complete.)  Moscow groups interested in workshops should  contact me directly.

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Thursdays, October 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th ~ Moscow, Russia
Twentieth Century American Social Dance Course (VKontakte community - Russian)
For Studio "Танец весны".  First four lessons in a six-week course covering basic cross-step waltz (1990s-present) and early ragtime dances (1890s-1910s): two-step, five-step (schottische), and 1910s-style New England contra dance.  Some previous couple dance experience required.  Sample at the first class or take the whole course.  Details (Russian) at the VK community!

Saturday, October 21st ~ Moscow, Russia
Waltz Kaleidoscope Class (Вальсовый калейдоскоп)  (VKontakte event - Russian)
15:00-17:00.  Workshop in combining and shifting between cross-step waltz and valse à trois temps (rotary waltz).  Basic knowledge of both waltzes required.  

Saturday, October 28th ~ Moscow, Russia
Children`s Festival Competition "Planet of Arts"
Jury member plus a master-class.  Details TBA.

Tuesday, October 31st ~ Moscow, Russia
Private class

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow, or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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Coming up in November: Moscow classes continue, and I return to the USA briefly for a ball and a workshop in Pennsylvania!

August 2017 Gig Calendar

This month is mostly about writing and non-dance-related travel, but I will emerge briefly to teach a couple of classes in Moscow (Russia) and a Regency dance class in Connecticut.  Otherwise, see you in September!

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Sunday, August 20th ~ Moscow Russia (VKontakte event - in Russian)
Фокстрот 1910-х от Сьюзан де Гвардиола (1910s Foxtrot)
4:00-6:00pm.  Workshop on the early foxtrot of the 1910s for dance studio Touch the Sky.  Taught in a mix of Russian and English.  Open to the public and beginner-friendly.

Sunday, August 20th ~ Moscow Russia (VKontakte event - in Russian)
Контрдансы и бальные игры от Сьюзан де Гвардиола (1910s Ballroom Games)
6:30-8:30pm.  Workshop on early twentieth century ballroom fun!  Includes American contra dances (1910s style), a one-step contra dance, the Lulu Fado mixer, and more!  For dance studio Touch the Sky.  Taught in a mix of Russian, English, and French (dance figures).  Open to the public and beginner-friendly.

Wednesday, August 23rd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing (Facebook event)
7:00-8:30pm.  Beginner-friendly lesson Informal dancing, no costume needed.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: August 1-7, 23-31
Helsinki, Finland: August 9-12
Saint Petersburg, Russia: August 14-17
Moscow, Russia: August 18-22

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July 2017 Gig Calendar

Still in catchup/hibernation mode this month, but I will emerge briefly for a long-awaited return to DJing at Bluesy Tuesy, my blues and fusion dance home, and a Regency dance class.  Otherwise, find me online or not at all!

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Tuesday, July 18th ~ Cambridge, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Bluesy Tuesy (Facebook event)
7:30-11:00pm (lesson then dancing).  DJing blues for the second set, 9:45-11:00pm.

Wednesday, July 26th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 7:00-8:30pm.  Informal dancing, no costume needed.  

Friday, July 28th ~ Boston area
Private event. 

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: July 1-5, 8-17, 20, 23-27, 30-31
New York City: July 6-7
Boston area: July 18-19, July 28-29
New London (CT) area: July 21

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June 2017 Gig Calendar

Back in the U.S.A. at last!  I'm going to be keeping a very light teaching schedule with minimal travel this summer while I try to catch up on research and writing and various things I've neglected while living in Russia, but I'll be emerging from my warm-weather hibernation for a few little events here and there.

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Friday-Saturday, June 9th-10th ~ East Durham, New York (Catskills)
Steampunk in the Catskills III (Facebook event)
Friendly, low-key steampunk weekend with two workshops in Victorian dancing at the Blackthorne Resort!

Wednesday, June 14th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 7:00-8:30pm.  Informal dancing, no costume needed.  

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New York City: TBD
New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: June 1-8, 13-30
Catskills (near Cairo): June 9-10
Lebanon, New Hampshire: June 11-12

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April 2017 Gig Calendar

Continuing my wonderful Russian residency, this month I'll be continuing my regular Moscow classes in cross-step waltz and American ragtime dance as well as making trips to Saint Petersburg and Vladimir to teach ragtime dance in those cities as well!  I'll also have a couple of one-shot classes for Moscow studios in ragtime dance and American Civil War-era contradance.  For Russian-language information and questions about my classes in Russia this spring, please see my VK community.

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Saturday & Sunday, April 1st & 2nd ~ Vladimir, Russia (VKontakte event - in Russian)
Ragtime dance classes
Four workshops covering hesitation waltz, half & half, advanced one-step, and some miscellaneous ragtime material: the Lulu Fado mixer, short sequences, and an early 1910s American country dance.  Open to the public.

Tuesday, April 4th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
Cross-Step Waltz Class (4 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  Fourth class in the ten-class course; course subscription or special permission required.  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Thursday, April 6th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
American Ragtime Dance Class (3 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  1910s dance class, third in a ten-class course covering one-step, two-step, foxtrot, hesitation waltz, half & half, 1910s American contra dance, and more!  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  Course subscription or special permission required.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Saturday, April 8th ~ Moscow, Russia
2:00-5:00pm.  Ragtime Dance and 1930s Sequence Dances for Студия «Танец весны» (VKontakte event - in Russian)
Workshop on 1910s one-step, two-step, and foxtrot, plus 1930s American sequence dances.  Open to the public.

Tuesday, April 11th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
Cross-Step Waltz Class (5 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  Fifth class in the ten-class course; course subscription or special permission required.  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Thursday, April 13th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
American Ragtime Dance Class (4 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  1910s dance class, fourth in a ten-class course covering one-step, two-step, foxtrot, hesitation waltz, half & half, 1910s American contra dance, and more!  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  Course subscription or special permission required.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Saturday & Sunday, April 15th & 16th ~ Saint Petersburg, Russia
Ragtime dance classes for Crystal Dragon Studio (VKontakte - in Russian)
Details to be announced!

Tuesday, April 18th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
Cross-Step Waltz Class (6 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  Sixth class in the ten-class course; course subscription or special permission required.  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Thursday, April 20th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
American Ragtime Dance Class (5 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  1910s dance class, fifth in a ten-class course covering one-step, two-step, foxtrot, hesitation waltz, half & half, 1910s American contra dance, and more!  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  Course subscription or special permission required.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Saturday, April 22nd ~ Moscow Russia
Private event

Sunday, April 23rd ~ Moscow Russia (VKontakte event - in Russian)
Контрдансы времен войны Севера и Юга (Contradances of the American Civil War)
8:00-10:00pm.  Workshop on typical and unusual American contradances from the middle of the nineteenth century for dance studio Touch the Sky.  Taught in a mix of Russian, English, and French (dance figures).  Open to the public; very beginner-friendly!

Tuesday, April 25th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte event - in Russian)
Cross-Step Waltz Class (7 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  Seventh class in the ten-class course; course subscription or special permission required.  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Thursday, April 27th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
American Ragtime Dance Class (6 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  1910s dance class, sixth in a ten-class course covering one-step, two-step, foxtrot, hesitation waltz, half & half, 1910s American contra dance, and more!  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  Course subscription or special permission required.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow and nearby cities; outside Moscow, the student must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.  Private lessons in the USA are available from early June.

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Coming in May: regular ragtime and cross-step waltz classes continue in Moscow, plus a waltz party and ragtime ball!

March 2017 Gig Calendar

After a quiet three months of teaching hiatus, I am back on the road this month...but all roads this spring will be Russian ones!  I'll be living in Moscow for the next few months and doing a few weekend events in Russia and Ukraine as well as experimenting with regular weekly classes.  If those listed below go well, then classes will continue once or twice a week through the end of May!  Updated: both cross-step waltz and ragtime classes will continue as subscription courses through the end of May!  PLUS: a nineteenth-century schottische and country dance class added in late March!

For Russian-language information and questions about my classes in Russia this spring, please see my VK community.

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Thursdays, March 2nd & 9th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
American Ragtime Dance Sampler Classes
8:00-9:30pm.  Open 1910s dance classes taught in a mix of English and Russian!  Some previous couple dance experience is recommended but no specific ragtime experience is required.  The first class will focus on the one-step/two-step/foxtrot trio, and the second class on hesitation waltz and, possibly, half and half.  500 rubles per person per class.  If interest is sufficient, these are the first two classes in a regular Thursday-night series.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Saturday, March 4th ~ Moscow, Russia
Private event

Tuesday, March 7th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
Cross-Step Waltz Sampler Class
8:00-9:30pm.  Open cross-step waltz class taught in a mix of English and Russian!  Some previous couple dance experience is recommended, but no specific cross-step experience is required.  If interest is sufficient, this will be the first in a regular Tuesday-night series!  500 rubles per person.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Tuesday, March 14th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
Cross-Step Waltz Class (1 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  Open cross-step waltz class, first in a ten-class course!  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  Some previous couple dance experience is recommended, but no specific cross-step experience is required.  500 rubles for single class or 4500 for full course.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Friday-Sunday, March 17th-19th ~ Kyiv, Ukraine
Vintage Dance Exchange 2017 (Facebook event) (VKontakte event - in Russian)
Six dance classes covering material from the sixteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries, plus a teacher training class.  The exchange has many other teachers and classes plus two balls and three dance parties!

Tuesday, March 21st ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
Cross-Step Waltz Class (2 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  Second class in the ten-class course; course subscription or special permission required.  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Thursday, March 23rd ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
American Ragtime Dance Class (1 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  1910s dance class, first in a ten-class course covering one-step, two-step, foxtrot, hesitation waltz, half & half, 1910s American contra dance, and more!  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  Some previous couple dance experience is recommended.  500 rubles for single class or 4500 for full course.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Saturday, March 25th ~ Moscow, Russia
2:00-5:00pm.  Nineteenth Century Schottische & Country Dance for Студия «Танец весны» (VKontakte event - in Russian)
Workshop on early schottische technique, a late nineteenth-century French schottische quadrille, and English and American country dances from the second half of the nineteenth century.  Open to the public.

Tuesday, March 28th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
Cross-Step Waltz Class (3 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  Third class in the ten-class course; course subscription or special permission required.  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

Thursday, March 30th ~ Moscow, Russia (VKontakte discussion - in Russian)
American Ragtime Dance Class (2 of 10)
8:00-9:30pm.  1910s dance class, second in a ten-class course covering one-step, two-step, foxtrot, hesitation waltz, half & half, 1910s American contra dance, and more!  Taught in a mix of English and Russian.  Course subscription or special permission required.  For general discussion (in Russian) about my classes in Moscow, see my VK community.

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I am available for private lessons in Moscow and nearby cities; outside Moscow, the student must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

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Coming in April: regular ragtime and cross-step waltz classes continue in Moscow, plus more ragtime dance in Vladimir and Saint Petersburg!

Giving thanks!

It's that time of year again...the start of the (American) winter holiday season, and the culturally-ordained time to give thanks!

This year a big thank-you goes to my wonderful Patrons, whose financial support of this blog through Patreon keeps me researching and writing as well as providing a level of emotional support that's really helpful for a freelancer during those times when I'm curled up alone trying to work and wondering if anyone actually values what I write or appreciates the enormous effort that it takes to blog for nearly nine years and well over a quarter-million words.  Your support says that you do, and that's valuable far beyond the money involved.

My Patrons are formally listed year-round on a special page, but for the record:

To Alan, Bill, Eleanor, Heath, Jennie, Ken, Mady, Max, Pete, Randi, Richard, Roberto, Rostik, Serge, Tammy, and The Anonymous Patron -- 

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your continued support.

I also want to add a special thank-you to my friend and sometime dance partner Irene, whose reaction to even my craziest ideas has consistently been unwavering emotional support paired with solid advice and practical assistance that has been absolutely critical to so much of what I've done this year and for the last dozen years or so.  Help me work out tricky dance techniques?  Drape a skirt ruffle?  Translate some nineteenth-century German?  Take in my cats for a month while I roam around teaching dance?  Keep an eye on my entire life while I'm overseas?  Fly to Ukraine to partner me at a waltz weekend?  

She does it all.  I quite literally couldn't do what I do without Irene.  No words could possibly be adequate, but...

Thanks.

Autumn 2016 Gig Calendar

I continue to be on teaching hiatus, so the three events below (two in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in November and one in Kiev, Ukraine, in December) are the ONLY events I will teach at for the remainder of 2016.  

Note that I will not be at Gettysburg this year!

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Saturday & Sunday, November 12 & 13th ~ Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Autumn Seminar for Historical Dance School Villanella (VK event - in Russian)
Classes in country-western dancing (couple and line dancing) and American contra dance.  Cowboy party!

Суббота – воскресенье, 12-13 ноября ~ Россия, Санкт-Петербург
Осенний семинар - ШСТ "Виланелла"  (ВКонтакте)
Традиционные танцы Техаса - country western dance, а также знаменитые на весь мир line-dance, и на закуску - американские контрдансы.  Ковбойская вечеринка!

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Saturday, November 19th ~ Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The 14th Annual Remembrance Day Dinner & Ball (Facebook community)
5:30pm-midnight.  Formal Civil War-era dinner and ball with live music by the Dodworth Saxhorn Band.  1860s costume (civilian or military) required.  This year's event is a "Crystal Ball", so white, silver, or pastel dresses and sparkles are encouraged!  Reservations required (dinner and ball or ball-only).  This event generally sells out.  There is a Friday night ball as well, precepted by Karen Duffy -- see the event website for more information!

(This event is still happening, but I will not be calling this year -- Karen Duffy will precept.  I encourage all usual attendees to attend and enjoy!)

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Saturday, November 12th ~ Saint-Petersburg, Russia
1910s Master Classes for Historical Dance Studio Crystal Dragon (VK event - in Russian)
One-step variations and improvisation techniques in maxixe, hesitation waltz, and half & half!

Суббота, 12 ноября ~ Россия, Санкт-Петербург
Мастер-классы по танцам начала XX века - Студия старинного танца Хрустальный Дракон (ВКонтакте)
Интересные связки для уан-степа, даст фигуры макшиша, хезитейшен-вальса и вальса «халф энд халф».

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Saturday & Sunday, December 3rd & 4th ~ Kyiv, Ukraine
Kyiv Waltz Weekend (Facebook event) (VK event - in Russian)
Cross-step and rotary waltz classes and two waltz parties!

Суббота – воскресенье, 3-4 декабря ~ Киев, Украина
Вальсовый Уикенд в Киеве  (ВКонтакте)
Первый в Украине двухдневный вальсовый уикенд!  За два выходных вас ждет 9 часов мастер-классов и две вечеринки.  Сьюзан расскажет вам много интересного про современные социальные вальсы, про некоторые необычные фигуры вальса, про то, как переходить с одной техники на другую, не останавливаясь на месте и не ломая рисунок танца, и еще много интересного!

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I am not currently available for private lessons.

September 2016 Gig Calendar

Teaching mostly-hiatus continues, but expect more blog posts and a couple of special projects finishing up this month!  

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Sunday, September 4th ~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Regency dance workshop for the York Regency Dancers
Private workshop.

Wednesday, September 21st ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Autumn Regency Dance Party (Facebook event)
7:00-9:00pm.  Beginner-friendly social dancing.  Historical costume encouraged!

 

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada: September 4-6
New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: September 11-23

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See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

August 2016 Gig Calendar

I am mostly on hiatus from teaching this summer, but will have a couple of workshops at the end of August.  Stay cool!

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Wednesday, August 24th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing  (Facebook event)
7:00-8:30pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.

Sunday, August 28th ~ New York City
Cross-Step Waltz Variations  (Facebook event)
3:00-5:00pm.  Some couple dance experience required.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: August 1-13, 18-27, 29-31
New York City: August 17 & 28

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See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

July 2016 Gig Calendar

I am mostly on hiatus from teaching this summer, but I will still do my two regular monthly Regency workshops in Middletown, Connecticut, and New York City!  (Edited to add: and a cross-step waltz workshop in New York City!)

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Sunday, July 10th ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop  (Facebook event)
2:00-4:00pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.

Wednesday, July 27th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing  (Facebook event)
7:00-8:30pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.

Sunday, July 31st ~ New York City
Cross-Step Waltz Variations (Facebook event)
2:00-4:00pm.  Some couple dance experience required.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New York City: July 9-10
New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: July 1-8, 11-31

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See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

June 2016 Gig Calendar

June starts out crazy for me with a trip to Washington and New York and a weekend in the Catskills, then everything calms down as I wind up my spring waltz class serieses and head toward a summer hiatus that I'm taking to give myself time to work on some special projects.

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Saturday, June 4th ~ Washington, D.C.
How Did Jane Austen Dance?  (Facebook event)
2:00-5:00pm.  Lecture for JASNA-DC on early-nineteenth century ballroom practices, followed by social dancing.

Sunday, June 5th ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop (Facebook event)
3:00-5:00pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.

Wednesday, June 8th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (3 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, June 8th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (4 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Friday-Sunday, June 10-12th ~ East Durham, New York (Catskills)
Steampunk in the Catskills II with Jeff Mach & Friends (Facebook event)
Friendly, low-key steampunk weekend with dancing at the Blackthorne Resort!  Dance workshop 5:00-6:00pm Saturday, then leading some dancing during the dinner and Grand Ball 6:00-8:30pm.

Wednesday, June 15th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (4 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, June 15th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (5 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm. 

Wednesday, June 22nd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (5 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  

Wednesday, June 22nd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:30pm.  No costume needed.  

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New York City: June 5
New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: June 6-9, 13-30
Blackthorne Resort, Catskills: June 10-12
Baltimore/D.C.: June 1-3

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See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

May 2016 Gig Calendar

Bashes and balls!  I'll be doing three public social events this month: the Mystery and Benevolence Bash at the American Folk Arts Museum in New York City; the Burning of the Ships Commemoration Ball in Essex, Connecticut; and a weekend of two balls and a workshop at a science fiction convention in Baltimore, Maryland.  In between, the usual classes and a quick trip to Boston for research and Renaissance dance!

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Sunday, May 1st ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop (Facebook event)
3:00-5:00pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.

Wednesday, May 4th ~ New York City
Mystery and Benevolence Bash (Facebook event)
7:00-10:00pm.  Benefit for the American Folk Art Museum event.  Informal nineteenth-century dancing, costumes welcome.  Refreshments, parlor games, silhouettes, live music.  Museum exhibit on freemasonry and other fraternal orders.  Advance tickets: $25, available here.

Wednesday, May 11th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (1 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Review for the May 14th ball!

Wednesday, May 11th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:30pm.  No costume needed.  Review for the May 14th ball!

Saturday, May 14th ~ Essex, Connecticut
1814 Commemoration Ball (Facebook event)
Formal ball with live music, hosted by the Sailing Masters of 1812 in conjunction with the parade and commemoration of the Burning of the Ships in Essex.

Wednesday, May 18th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (1 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, May 18th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (2 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Friday, May 20th ~ Cambridge, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Renaissance Dance for All (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly social dancing with live music by Renaissonics.  7:30-10:00pm.  No experience needed!

Sunday, May 22nd ~ New York City
The Congress of Vienna Dances! at the Morris-Jumel Mansion (Facebook event)
3:00-6:00pm.  Early nineteenth-century social dancing from a variety of countries in a historical mansion.  Recorded music.  Costumes strongly encouraged!  Limited to thirty people.

Wednesday, May 25th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (2 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, May 25th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (3 of 5)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Friday-Monday, May 27th-30th ~ Baltimore, Maryland
Balticon 50  (Facebook event for Balticon)
    Steampunk Victorian Ball (Friday 10pm-1am)
    Balticonga! Dance Workshop (Saturday 7:30-8:30pm)
    Regency Ball (Sunday 11:50am-1:50pm)
    How to Waltz When It's Not Waltz Time (workshop) (Monday 11:00am-12:00pm)
Beginner-friendly social dancing at a literary science fiction convention!  The Steampunk Victorian Ball will be a mashup of nineteenth-century-inspired dances and modern music.  The Regency Ball will go beyond the English country dance to include unusual dances from all across Europe.  Balticonga! takes conga beyond the party line dance and back to its roots as a 1930s ballroom dance.  How to Waltz (etc.) will take the base of modern ballroom waltz and show how to translate the basic step into different time signatures.  All are beginner-friendly, no partner needed.  Creative costume encouraged for the two balls!

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New York City: May 1, 4, 6-7, 22, 26
New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: May 2-3, 5, 8-18, 23-24
Boston: May 19-20
Baltimore/D.C.: May 25-31

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See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

April 2016 Gig Calendar

This is mostly a stay-home-and write month for me, with my only significant travel being to the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) mid-month!  It's been a few years since I could last make it to NEFFA due to calendar conflicts, so I'm excited to be back and looking forward to a great weekend of dance and music!

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Sunday, April 3rd ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop (Facebook event)
3:00-5:00pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.

Wednesday, April 6th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (4 of 6) (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, April 6th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (2 of 4)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, April 13th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (5 of 6)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, April 13th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (3 of 4)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Friday-Sunday, April 15-17th ~ Mansfield, Massachusetts
The New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) (Facebook event)
Enormous folk festival full of all kinds of traditional music and dance. My sessions:
    Friday 9:00-10:05pm: Polka Squares of the 1840s with Calliope
    Saturday 9:30-10:20pm: Royal Scotch Quadrilles with White Cockade
    Sunday 10:00-10:50am: Austentatious! Regency/Contra Mashup with Coracree

Wednesday, April 20th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (6 of 6)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm. Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, April 20th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (4 of 4)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm. Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, April 27th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Spring Regency Dance Party (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly dance evening 7:00-9:00pm.  Historical costume encouraged!

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New York City: April 1-3, 30
New Haven and Middletown, Connecticut: April 4-14, 18-29

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Coming in May: the 1814 Commemoration Ball!

See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

March 2016 Gig Calendar

Greetings from Kyiv, Ukraine!  I'm here preparing to teach a whole slew of classes in dance from the early nineteenth century through the early twentieth, with a side-helping of Steampunk!

After Kyiv, I'll be back in Russia briefly for a quick trip to teach in Voronezh before heading home to a more relaxing second half of the month of my regular waltz and Regency classes, including a special one-shot class on easy 1910s waltz choreographies and the beginning of four-week a series on nineteenth-century waltz.

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Thursday, March 3rd ~ Kyiv, Ukraine
Blues Dance Social (Facebook event)
I'll be DJing during the band breaks!

Saturday - Tuesday, March 5th-8th ~ Kyiv, Ukraine
Vintage Dance Exchange 2016  (Facebook event) (VKontakte event)
for Historical Dance Studio "La Rêverie"  (website)  (VKontakte)  (Facebook)
Classes in nineteenth and early twentieth century dance.

Thursday-Friday, March 10th-11th ~ Voronezh, Russia
Classes in Regency-era and early twentieth century dance.

Sunday, March 13th ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop (Facebook event)
3:00-5:00pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.

Wednesday, March 16th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (1 of 6) (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, March 16th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Easy 1910s Waltz Choreographies (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  No costume needed.  

Wednesday, March 23rd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (2 of 6) 
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, March 23rd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:30pm.  No costume needed.

Wednesday, March 30th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (3 of 6) (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, March 30th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Nineteenth-Century Waltz (1 of 4) (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

Kyiv, Ukraine: March 1-8
New York City: March 13
New Haven & Middletown, Connecticut: March 14-31

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Coming in April: at last, I return to NEFFA!

See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

Long enough to dance to!

If one is not lucky enough to have musicians available for balls and classes, finding usable recordings of Regency country dances can be a bit of a challenge.  While there are quite a few CDs on the market billed as Regency or Jane Austen-era music, they are often made up mostly of music from other eras.  Even the ones that are actually suitable selections for the time period frequently include only a few country dances.  And it is, alas, very typical for those tunes to be recorded at the lengths used for modern English country dance: three to seven times through the music.  

Since historical country dancing needs the length of the music matched to the length of the set, and the lengths can be quite lengthy, most of these recordings are not very useful without substantial work with music editing software to add a substantial number of repeats.

So I am very happy to note that the UK band Green Ginger, whose album Music for Quadrilles is one of my very favorites for the Regency era, has very considerately offered for online purchase a set of extended-length versions of seven of the country dance tunes from their Grand Waterloo Ball 2015 album, namely:

• "The Waterloo Dance" (12 x 24 Reel)
• "The College Hornpipe" (12 x 32 Hornpipe)
• "Cupid in Armour" (6 x 64 Waltz)
• "Bonaparte in a Knapsack" (12 × 32 Jig)
• "The Oldenburgh Bonnet" (12 × 32 Reel)
• "The Young Widow" (12 × 32 Jig)
• "Lord Dalkeith’s Reel" (12 × 24 Reel)

I'm especially excited that this batch includes "Waterloo", which is a tune I use regularly at balls but for which I have never had a good recording.  Along with "Lord Dalkeith's Reel", it is one of two twenty-four-bar arrangements in this set of tunes.  That length is fairly rare compared to the quantity of recordings made for thirty-two-bar dances.

Six of the seven tracks are twelve times through, which is the proper length for a four-couple set for a triple minor dance or a five-couple set for a duple minor one.  The last is a sixty-four-bar (!) waltz offered six times, which will work for a three-couple set either duple or triple minor.  It could also be thought of as thirty-two bars twelve times or used for a (very lengthy) waltz.

As usual for Green Ginger, the sound is rich and the instrumentation is lovely: fiddles and piano, mercifully free of out-of-period accordions.

The seven tracks are available for individual download only on the page for the Grand Waterloo Ball 2015 album.  They are at the very bottom of the list of download links.  Note that they are not included if you just buy the whole CD (online or otherwise).  You have to purchase them individually and separately.  The CD has only the shorter versions.

I'm hoping that Green Ginger will do long versions of other tunes from their current and future CDs, so I would like to encourage everyone who does Regency-era country dance to purchase these extended tracks for your own use and to demonstrate to the band that it is worth the trouble to make them.

February 2016 Gig Calendar

Back on the road again for real this month: after the usual round of weekly waltz and monthly Regency workshops and a historical/modern mashup dance in New York City, I will once again be heading off to Europe for the first two stops of a four-city tour that will take me to three cities in Russia and one in Ukraine!  Catch me for dance workshops or private lessons on one continent or the other!

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Wednesday, February 3rd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (4 of 6)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, February 3rd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 102: Cross-Step Waltz (3 of 4)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Sunday, February 6th ~ New York City
A Hamiltonesque Afternoon Ball at Morris-Jumel Mansion (Facebook event)
3:00-6:00pm.  Historical dancing, modern music, and the run of the mansion!  Creative costuming appreciated!
Limited to 40 -- advance registration strongly encouraged!

Sunday, February 7th ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop (Facebook event)
3:00-5:00pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.  

Wednesday, February 10th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (5 of 6)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, February 10th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:30pm.  No costume needed.

Wednesday, February 17th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (6 of 6)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.

Wednesday, February 17th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 102: Cross-Step Waltz (4 of 4)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.

Saturday, February 20th ~ Moscow, Russia / YouTube
Presentation: Survey of Nineteenth-Century American Dance Cards (YouTube livestream)
Streaming live on YouTube at 17:00 Moscow Time / 09:00 Eastern Standard Time.

Tuesday-Wednesday, February 23-24 ~ Kirov, Russia
Regency-era and mid-19th century dance workshops.

Saturday-Sunday, February 27-28 ~ Samara, Russia
Weekend intensive - teachers and experienced dancers only.  Nineteenth and early twentieth century dance.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven & Middletown, Connecticut: February 1-5, 8-17
New York City: February 6-7
Kirov, Russia: February 22-24
Samara, Russia: February 26

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Coming in March: historical and waltz workshops here and there (New York City; Connecticut; and Voronezh, Russia) plus the first ever Vintage Dance Exchange in Kyiv, Ukraine!

See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

January 2016 Gig Calendar

Happy new year!

I'm still wrapping up holiday writing and other projects, so other than a couple of research trips, I'm not on the road much this month.  Most of the calendar involves waltz, waltz, and more waltz, lightly interspersed with Regency classes and blues DJing, with my sole annual Revolutionary War ball as the grand finale!

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Wednesday, January 6th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (1 of 6)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, January 6th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:30pm.  No costume needed.

Sunday, January 10th ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop (Facebook event)
3:00-5:00pm.  Beginner-friendly workshop, no costume required.

Tuesday, January 12th ~ Cambridge, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Bluesy Tuesy (Facebook event)
7:30-11:00pm (lesson then dancing).  DJing blues from 9:45-11:00.

Thursday, January 14th ~ Somerville, Massachusetts (Boston area)
Blues Union (Facebook event)
7:30-11:00pm (lessons until 9:30 then dancing).  DJing blues from 9:30-10:30.

Wednesday, January 20th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (2 of 6)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, January 20th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 102: Cross-Step Waltz (1 of 4)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, January 27th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (3 of 6)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Wednesday, January 27th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 102: Cross-Step Waltz (2 of 4)  (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly introductory waltz lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Take one or the whole series!

Saturday, January 30th ~ Hartford, Connecticut
The 9th Regiment of Foot's Mid-Winter Ball (Facebook event)
Formal dinner and Revolutionary War Ball with live music by The Reel Thing.  Rev War to Regency costume strongly encouraged.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven & Middletown, Connecticut: January 1-7, 18-31
New York City: January 8-10
Boston, Massachusetts: January 12-17

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Coming in February: more dancing at the Morris-Jumel Mansion and off to Russia yet again!

See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

December 2015 Gig Calendar

I'm going to spend a big chunk of early December on the road in Ohio and Illinois doing some teaching and research and conducting a Caledonian Regency ball with a mix of French, Scottish, and English dances of the era for the English country dance community in Chicago.  Somehow I have managed to schedule four major Regency workshops or events in four different cities within an eleven-day period.  Exciting!

After that, I'll be quietly at home for my holiday recess/research/writing time through the New Year.  That'll be good, too.

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Wednesday, December 2nd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Conga Class Series! (Facebook event)
Lively dance/exercise -- take conga beyond the line dance to moves for solos, couples, and groups!  6:00-7:00pm.  Last in a four-class series.  Drop-ins welcome!

Wednesday, December 2nd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (Facebook event)
Beginner-oriented lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Last in a six-class series.  Drop-ins welcome!

Wednesday, December 2nd ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 102: Cross-Step Waltz (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Last in a four-class series.  Drop-ins acceptable, but previous experience or preceding Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz class helpful.

Sunday, December 6th ~ Cincinnati, Ohio
Private event

Monday, December 7th ~ Chicago, Illinois
Caledonian Regency Ball for the Chicagoland English Country Dancers (Facebook event)
Evening ball with live music.  Costumes encouraged!  Musicians include the 2014 U.S. Scottish Fiddle Champion Tim MacDonald!

Sunday, December 13th ~ New York City
A Jane Austen Afternoon at the Morris-Jumel Mansion (Facebook event)
2:00-5:00pm.  Costumes encouraged!  Dancing, refreshments, and enjoying the mansion.  Recorded music.  Limited to 40 -- advance registration strongly encouraged!

Wednesday, December 16th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen's Birthday Dance (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly dance evening 7:00-9:00pm.  Celebrate Jane Austen's birthday with the dancing of the early 19th century!  Historical costume encouraged.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven & Middletown, Connecticut: December 1-3, 14-31
Chicago, Illinois: December 7-10
New York City: December 12-13

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See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!

November 2015 Gig Calendar

The big event for me in November is the Remembrance Day Ball in Gettysburg, which will be followed in quick succession by a Thanksgiving-weekend trip to Baltimore.  Other than that, I have my usual run of waltz and Regency workshops in Middletown and New York and, at last...conga!!!

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Wednesday, November 4th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Conga Class Series! (Facebook event)
Lively dance/exercise -- take conga beyond the line dance to moves for solos, couples, and groups!  6:00-7:00pm.  First in a four-class series.  Drop-ins welcome!

Wednesday, November 4th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (Facebook event)
Beginner-oriented lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Third in a six-class series.  Drop-ins welcome!

Wednesday, November 4th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 102: Cross-Step Waltz (Facebook event)
Beginner-oriented lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Second in a four-class series.  Drop-ins acceptable, but previous experience or preceding Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz class helpful.

Saturday, November 7th ~ Москва (Moscow) / YouTube
Slide Seminar: "Мечты о России" ("Dreams of Russia") (YouTube video)
Online presentation (voice and slides only) for Научный семинар "История танца" (Scientific Seminar "History of Dance").  Second speaker.  Presentation in Russian, discussion afterward in English.

Wednesday, November 11th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Conga Class Series! (Facebook event)
Lively dance/exercise -- take conga beyond the line dance to moves for solos, couples, and groups!  6:00-7:00pm.  Second in a four-class series.  Drop-ins welcome!

Wednesday, November 11th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (Facebook event)
Beginner-oriented lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Fourth in a six-class series.  Drop-ins welcome!

Wednesday, November 11th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 102: Cross-Step Waltz (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:00pm.  Third in a four-class series.  Drop-ins acceptable, but previous experience or preceding Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz class helpful.

Wednesday, November 18th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Conga Class Series! (Facebook event)
Lively dance/exercise -- take conga beyond the line dance to moves for solos, couples, and groups!  6:00-7:00pm.  Third in a four-class series.  Drop-ins welcome!

Wednesday, November 18th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Social Waltz 101: Country Waltz (Facebook event)
Beginner-oriented lesson 7:00-8:00pm.  Fifth in a six-class series.  Drop-ins welcome!

Wednesday, November 18th ~ Middletown, Connecticut
Jane Austen Era Dancing (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 8:00-9:30pm.  No costume needed.

Saturday, November 21st ~ Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Remembrance Day Ball (Facebook community)
Formal Civil War-era ball with live music by the Dodworth Saxhorn Band.  Dinner included.  1860s costume (civilian or military) required.  Reservations needed -- often sells out early!  I am doing Saturday night only this year, but you can also join my colleague Karen Duffy and the Dodworth Saxhorn Band for Friday night's dinner and ball!

Friday, November 27th & Saturday, November 28th ~ Baltimore, Maryland area
Chessiecon 2015 (Facebook event)
This is a science fiction convention, with writer, artist, and musical guests including Seanan McGuire, Ursula Vernon, Heather Dale, Tamora Pierce, and Tom Smith.  I will be teaching a basic country waltz workshop and leading some informal dancing at a costumed Time Travelers' Social on Friday evening plus doing two hours of Renaissance dancing on Saturday afternoon.  You must be a day or weekend member of the convention to attend!

Sunday, November 29th ~ New York City
Regency Dance Workshop (Facebook event)
Beginner-friendly lesson 3:00-5:00pm.  No costume needed.

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I am available for private lessons in Connecticut or on my various travels; during the latter, you must provide the dance space.  Email me directly if you would like to schedule a private lesson.

New Haven & Middletown, Connecticut: November 1-19, 23-25, 30
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: November 21
Baltimore, Maryland: November 27-28

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Coming in December: Regency workshops and dances in four cities in ten days!

See the Gig Calendar for further-out events and workshops!