Classes

Arbeau’s Orchesography I: A Sampler

Arbeau’s Orchesography, from France in 1589, is the source for many dances we do. Come and learn many of the dances he describes, from branles to pavans to galliards. Beginners welcome.

Includes: Double Branle, Branle Charlotte, Washerwomen’s Branle, Pavan, Galliards, Jouyssance Vous Donneray, Spanish Pavan

Arbeau’s Orchesography II: Lots of Branles

If you’ve done Double Branle, Pease Branle, or Washerwomen’s Branle and would like to expand your horizons, join us for a whirlwind tour through many of the more obscure branles described in Arbeau’s Orchesography. Experience with branles suggested since we’ll be moving quickly.

Includes: Branle Aridan, Burgundian Branle, Candlestick Branle, Branle Cassandra, Branle Charlotte, Clog Branle, Gay Branle, Haut Barrois, Hermits Branle, Branle Montarde, Branle Pinagay, Branle Poitou, Scottish Branle, Branle Trihory, War Branle

Approaches to Dance Notation

In this roundtable class, we will look at several different approaches to writing down instructions for dance, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. We’ll look at period, modern, and SCA sources. What good ideas can we find, and what pitfalls can we learn to avoid? What would be the elements of an ideal notation for reference use?

Court Dances of the 15th and 16th Centuries

Expand your repertoire beyond country dances and branles with an introduction to a variety of courtly dances from France and Italy. Try a flashy galliard, a romantic basse dance, a flirtatious ballo, and more. Some dance experience suggested.

Includes: Pavan, Cinq Pas Galliard, Old Alman, Lauro, La Danse de Cleues, Lioncello Vecchio

Dances from Shakespeare

Why does Duke Senior say “With measure heap’d in joy, to th’ measures fall” at the end of As You Like It? Why is it a taunt when the French ambassador tells Henry V “there’s nought in France / that can be with a nimble galliard won”? Learn more about the culture of Shakespeare’s time by trying out the dances he and his audiences were familiar with. No dance experience necessary, but you will get some exercise!

Includes: Double Branle, a Coranto, Turkelone, a simple Canary, a Galliard, the Volta

English Country Dance I: Easy Favorites

This course is an introduction to English Country Dance based on Playford’s “English Dancing Master” of 1651. The basic dances taught will provide a foundation, making it easier to learn additional dances in the future. Beginners welcome.

Includes: Rufty Tufty, Hearts Ease, Upon a Summer’s Day, Chestnut, Jenny Pluck Pears, Gathering Peascods, Mage on a Cree, Hide Parke

English Country Dance II: More Fun Dances

If you enjoy English Country Dance and would enjoy the challenge of some more obscure and more complex dances, this class is for you. Experience with English Country Dance suggested.

Includes: Hit and Misse, The Begger Boy, The New Exchange, The Fine Companion, Goddesses, The Bonny Bonny Broome, The Old Mole, Picking of Sticks

English Country Dance III: Mixed-up Playford

For those who enjoy dances like “Hole in the Wall” where you dance with different people with each repeat, this class offers a variety of dances from Playford’s first edition that mix partners and couples in several flavors of progression. Experience with English Country Dance required.

Includes: Halfe Hannikin, Staines Morris, Dargason, Row Well Ye Mariners, The Fryar and the Nun, Whirligig, Bobbing Joe

Italian Balli of the 15th Century I

Learn some fun and flirtatious dances from the dance masters of Medici Florence. Experience with dance suggested. A companion CD is available for $12 if ordered in advance.

Includes: Petit Riense, Lauro, Lioncello Vecchio, Amoroso, Anello

Italian Balli of the 15th Century II

Try some early courtly dances with more involved choreographies, including the aptly named Gelosia (Jealousy), and Mercantia, in which a lady discards in turn each of three gentlemen. Experience with Italian Balli required.

Includes: Rostiboli Gioso, Gelosia, Colonesse, Mercantia

Italian Dances of the 16th Century I

An introduction to the elaborate choreographies of Fabritio Caroso and Cesare Negri, dancemasters to the courts of Italian nobility in the last half of the 16th century.

Includes: Ballo del Fiore, Villanella, Contentezza d’Amore, Bizzarria d’Amore

Mommy, where do dances come from?

Sure, your local dance master teaches you dances - but that's like saying milk comes from the grocery store. In this class we'll take an introductory look at some of the primary sources from which we draw dances. We'll see how some popular dances are described, talk about the different approaches authors took, and learn why dance reconstruction often requires some puzzle solving and experimentation. This class will be a good orientation for dancers coming to KWDS to broaden their understanding of period dance.

My Favorite Canaries

Canaries! They're loud! They're stompy! And you can make them up (they're often improvised). Come try some fun and challenging canary sequences from choreographed dances. We'll play with sequences from Il Canario and Alta Vittoria, then challenge you to improvise based on what you've learned.

Includes: Il Canario (parts), Alta Vittoria (parts)

My Favorite Galliards

If you're ready to move beyond the cinq pas, come try some fun and challenging galliard sequences from other dances. We'll play with sequences from dances like Fedelta d'Amore and Alta Mendozza and maybe even do some Volta. And yes, we will take breaks in between so everyone can catch their breath.

Includes: Cinq pas and variations, Leggiadra Marina (part), Fedelta d'Amore (part), Alta Mendozza (part), Celeste Giglio (part), La Volta

Old Measures

Learn some dances described in the notes of Elizabethan Londoners, from the simple Quadran Pavan to the cuddly Madam Sosilia Alman. The class begins with a lecture on the place of these dances in Elizabethan society. Beginners welcome. A companion CD is available for $6 if ordered in advance.

Includes: Quadran Pavan, Turkelone, Earl of Essex Measure, Tinternell, Old Alman, Queen’s Alman, Madam Sosilia Alman, Black Alman, Lorayne Alman, New Alman

Other Measures

Learn some of the dances from the English Measures manuscripts that aren't part of the Old Measures, including some dances from the recently-validated Dulwich manuscript.

Includes: Brownswycke, Ladye Laytons Measures, Longe Pavan, La Down Sella, Labonetta, Lache Mysa

Survey of European Dance Sources 1400-1700

Find out more about where our dances come from with this lecture survey course. Look in turn at the documents and context for each of the major categories of dance. Sample dances will be demonstrated. This class will be of interest to dance researchers, casual dancers, and non-dancers with an interest in the social activities of the period.

Teaching Dance in Challenging Situations

Dancemasters encounter a number of challenging situations. Explore and share strategies for coping with small practices, large practices, noisy venues, and teaching to the public. Also discuss strategies for adapting dances to the disabled, people with physical limitations, and for children. How can we as teachers maximize the enjoyment of our students?