After a very lovely day in November dancing with the folks from Constantinople in the Adrian Empire I've happily taken on the role of dance-mistress for the local group and am putting together a list of dances to work one, two per month, to build up a local repertoire for the fair gentles of the kingdom.
On our first day we learned the stately Hole in the Wall. Most assuredly outside of our time period but a standard among reenactment groups to the degree that it should not be overlooked.
Then we learned Black Nag, which I have found in Playford's Dancing Master written up as The Galloping Nag. This is likely out of our period but a charming dance that is easy to pick up and satisfying after only a little practice.
The three goals I heard from the group were: First, to learn enough dances to have some sort of ball or masked ball. The second was to have dances that can be performed at large events to demonstrate group identity. The third, most commonly cited and widely held goal was to bring a new element of arts & sciences, 'in character' socialization and amusing pastime to the group. I have no doubt that all three can be accomplished more or less at once.
By adding slowly to the repertoire we'll know enough dances locally to fill an evening with dancing (allowing for a few repeat requests) within no time, and be solid and confident with the dances we've learned. I'm making sure to include the standards of other reenactment groups so that we can get together and dance with others. I'm also putting some thought into what dances we might do that are distinctive and trying to balance them with things that others will know.
To that end I've found two Greek folk dances that are thought to date back to the Byzantine Empire, including one that may have originally included swords that should satisfy our burgeoning Varangian guard. And of course just for fun, and as requested, I'll be looking over the dance from A Knight's Tale along with the copy of Orchésographie in English translation I ordered.
On our first day we learned the stately Hole in the Wall. Most assuredly outside of our time period but a standard among reenactment groups to the degree that it should not be overlooked.
Then we learned Black Nag, which I have found in Playford's Dancing Master written up as The Galloping Nag. This is likely out of our period but a charming dance that is easy to pick up and satisfying after only a little practice.
The three goals I heard from the group were: First, to learn enough dances to have some sort of ball or masked ball. The second was to have dances that can be performed at large events to demonstrate group identity. The third, most commonly cited and widely held goal was to bring a new element of arts & sciences, 'in character' socialization and amusing pastime to the group. I have no doubt that all three can be accomplished more or less at once.
By adding slowly to the repertoire we'll know enough dances locally to fill an evening with dancing (allowing for a few repeat requests) within no time, and be solid and confident with the dances we've learned. I'm making sure to include the standards of other reenactment groups so that we can get together and dance with others. I'm also putting some thought into what dances we might do that are distinctive and trying to balance them with things that others will know.
To that end I've found two Greek folk dances that are thought to date back to the Byzantine Empire, including one that may have originally included swords that should satisfy our burgeoning Varangian guard. And of course just for fun, and as requested, I'll be looking over the dance from A Knight's Tale along with the copy of Orchésographie in English translation I ordered.