2025 Summer Course in Early Dance
EDC Home | Summer 2025 | Details | Brochure | Enrolment
beautiful and ... bizarre baroque
Wednesday January 8 - Friday January 10, 2025
in North Sydney
An invitation to our 15th Summer Course in
Early Dance. The Baroque era of the late 17th & early 18th century is
our focus again, as we explore both the beautiful and the bizarre. Noble
dance technique was common to both ballroom and stage dance. It could be
elegant and charming, flattering the noble dancer with grace and
apparent ease. On stage it could also be majestic, dramatic or comic, as
the occasion demanded, and as the records show.
Why learn baroque dance? 18th-Century dance
notation provides a rare window into some favourite choreographies of
the era, for the ballroom, and for the theatre. They allow the
possibility of embodying the experience of the courtier: the posture,
gesture & dance forms forgotten over the centuries. This is invaluable
physical insight for musicians, actors, dancers & historians: into
musical rhythms and forms, into manners, deportment, gesture,
performance & aesthetics.
The Summer Course provides an opportunity to develop an appreciation of this distinctive dance heritage. Over three days, students will learn movements, steps & sequences in preparation for excerpts & whole dances in different rhythms. Fundamental technique will be introduced for newcomers, while experienced students will refine technique & style, and build repertoire.
Requirements:
No previous dance experience required, nor do you need to bring a
partner.
About the Course teachers
Fiona Garlick & John Barnard have led the Early Dance Consort for many
years.
They have appeared as performers in numerous and varied concert and
stage productions with leading early music ensembles.
Their teaching experience ranges from regular classes & courses in North
Sydney
to lectures, workshops & masterclasses presented for arts & education
institutions around Australia & overseas.
Course details Brochure & Enrolment form
Morning A sessions
introduce the basics of Baroque dance style: deportment, gesture & the
characteristic movements which distinguish it from other styles,
exploring a range of steps & their precise relationship to the musical
rhythms for dances from Bourree & Gavotte to Minuet, Chaconne & Gigue.
Morning B sessions develop steps in context to form phrases & figures, building towards one or more dances.
Afternoon C sessions
will extend to more complex steps, subtleties of hand & arm movements,
to further an appreciation of the precision and delicacy of the Belle
Danse.
Plus exploration of the dance notation known as chorégraphie,
the
key to discovering the treasures of this unique dance repertoire.
Students are encouraged to begin on Day 1,
Wednesday, and choose as an option either:-
* Full Course (9 sessions over 3 days) OR
* Wednesday only (3 sessions) OR
* Consecutive days A, OR * A + B
Venue: 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney. From North Sydney Train/Bus Station: turn left on Blue Street, 1st left into Blues Point Road. A Short walk south down hill to Hall on left-hand-side just before Lavender Street. Google Map
What to wear
Light comfortable clothes, and secure shoes without rubber soles.
Flat, light shoes for warm-ups (e.g. ballet flats, jiffies).
Low-heeled shoes (1-4cm) for Baroque dance (e.g. Grecian sandals, or
Jazz shoes for both)
See What to wear for classes for
more information.
To eat & drink
Light refreshments will be provided for morning tea.
Bring water to drink, and pack/buy lunch if staying for the day.
Health &
Hygiene
The course will run subject to any applicable NSW Health
guidelines. For the safety of all, we urge you to stay at home if
unwell. Hand gel will be available. Natural ventilation will be
maintained
Enrolment
Please complete
enrolment form
and return by email/post. Prior booking is essential.
Preferred payment is by direct deposit (bank details on enrolment form).
Otherwise cheque or exact cash in envelope.
*
Early-bird rates available until December 20.
Do get in touch by phone or email if you have any questions, and you
can't find the answers here.
© The Early Dance Consort 2024
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