ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCES IN MONTREAL
2012-2013 SEASON
10th EDITION
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English Country Dances are a distinguished form of dance to be practised in pleasant company. They have been in fashion in all parts of England since the Renaissance and are still done today.
These dances were also in vogue in the British colonies in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and it’s not hard to imagine them being done in Quebec also, after the Conquest of 1760.
English Country Dances were described by John Playford in the first edition of English Dancing Master, published in London in 1651. Playford and his son Henry were responsible for subsequent editions and the work remained in print until the mid-18th century. Then, in the 19th century the form of dance became less popular.
Early in the 1900s, in London, Cecil Sharp set about reconstructing the dances described by the Playfords and introducing them anew to English society.
With the same purpose of reviving this dance form in Montreal, the following workshops will be devoted to English Country Dance:
COST: $15 A WORKSHOP (except for special events)
"Around a Cup of Tea" workshops will be held from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM . Two dance teachers will lead them: Arduina Alonzo and Michel Landry. From 1 PM to 1.30 PM, the basic figures will be explain to beginners and to those who wish to improve their skill in English Country Dance. The teaching of new dances will start at 1.30 PM.
Although traditional attire is optional for the two balls: Weekend in Old Sweetsburg and From Playford to Roodman, you may want to start thinking about the costume you will wear.
For more information:
