Some EDC Events past ... 2021-2025
2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021
CHRISTMAS PARTY CANCELLED DUE TO COVID
WITH SINCERE APOLOGIES
KEEP WELL AND HAVE A LOVELY FESTIVE SUMMER
HOPE TO SEE YOU IN 2026
An invitation
to current, past and prospective students & friends:
The EDC Christmas Party
will be held on
Thursday 18th December, 6.30pm – 9.00pm,
at the usual venue: 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney.
Please come and join us for some festive dancing,
a look at some of the dances we’ve been learning this year
and to catch up with dear friends.
We welcome contributions for the table
(simple finger food, non-alcoholic drinks - cups, plates &c provided)
Hope you and your dance shoes can make it!
With warm wishes for Christmas, New Year, Summer
Holidays and for the New Year '26.
Fiona & John
RSVP via email/sms
2025 Classes in Court Dance
- Term 4 will begin at 6.15pm on Thursday October 18, and will run in North Sydney for
10 weeks to
December 18. That last class for the year will be our
Christmast-End-of-Year Party. More details yet to come.
See Schedule
page for term dates, location & details, &
PDF Brochure. Classes page is for general information.
No prior experience or partner required, and the first class of term is
free to try.
So why not sample some court dancing? Beautiful music, varied exercise
for mind -and body- and the company of interesting people!
A couple of photos from the Light Fantastick concert on 16
August 2025
On the Light Fantastick Toe
Music and Dance from the Courts
Consort 8 with Guest Artists
Fiona Garlick & John Barnard
of The Early Dance Consort
Saturday 16 August, 6pm,
St Paul's Anglican Church,
205-207 Burwood Road, Burwood
(see flyer for travel & parking info)
PDF Flyer
Bookings:
https://events.humanitix.com/on-the-light-fantastick-toe
Tickets: $40 / $45 available online or at the door
(cash or card accepted)
Consort 8 -
www.consort8.org
on recorders, viols, lute/renaissance guitar & voice
Historic Dance Delights
invite you to a...
Winter Weekend of Baroque Dance
1-3
August, 2025
Workshops presented: by Fiona Garlick & John Barnard of the Early Dance
Consort (Sydney)
Dates: 1 August (Friday evening) - 3 August
(Sunday afternoon) - See below for schedule
Venue: Church Hall, All Saints Anglican Church, 9-15
Cowper Street, Ainslie ACT 2602
Workshops
Join us to enjoy the aristocratic elegance, technical precision and
beautiful music that is Baroque Ballet. Fiona and John will lead
participants through a weekend workshop of early 18th Century Dance from
the court of Louis XIV. The weekend will include introductory sessions
to learn technique, steps and rhythms through to more advanced sessions
to learn the various dance forms and figures of choreographies from the
era of the great Sun King.
Louis XIV of France changed the course of European dance history,
encouraging its development, written notation and ensuring that French
remains the language of classical ballet even today.
The Baroque Winter School is designed to suit both those new to baroque
dance and those with some experience. You will learn about the different
Baroque dance forms such as the Bourrée, Gavotte, Minuet, Sarabande
& Gigue and have the opportunity to learn some repertoire.
No experience or partner required.
Details & Bookings:
https://events.humanitix.com/winter-baroque-dance-weekend
An Invitation ...
to our
End-of-Term, Mid-Winter Ball 2025
When: Thursday 3 July 2025, 6.15pm for 6.30
pm—9.30 pm
Where: 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney (the
usual class venue)
Wear: Warm attire essential – festive or
period if you can
And suitable for dancing (don’t forget the shoes)
Bring: Please bring some easy finger food to
share or
something to drink (no alcohol) - cups & plates provided
Entry: Enrolled students - no charge, Guests -
$10 entry (cash/OSKO/Bank Transfer/PayID)
We’d love to see you there – for some warming dancing & good cheer.
Warmest wishes,
Fiona & John.
RSVP: please let us know by email or sms if
you'd like to join us.
2025 Classes in Court Dance
in North Sydney - Term 2 commences on Thursday May 1 (May Day), at 181 Blues Point Road, North
Sydney.
The
Term will run for 10 weeks to July 3.
No previous experience or partner required. The first class of each term
is free to try, so please let us know if you'd like to come along.
We'd love to see you.
See
Schedule
for the dates & all the details, and
PDF Brochure. Go to Classes page for general information.
2025 Classes in Court Dance
resumed on Thursday February 6, at 181 Blues Point Road, North
Sydney.
Term 1 will run for 10 weeks to April 10. See
Schedule
page for the dates & details, and
PDF Brochure. Visit
Classes page for general information.
Now the 2025 Summer Course is over - a big thank you to all who took
part with such enthusiasm and grace in dancing and in good company. The
weather was kind, and we all rose to the challenge of learning a
Bourrée, Menuet and Forlane, completing original choreographies, and
relaxing with some delightful country dances.
The Early Dance Consort's
2025
Summer Course in Early Dance
will be held from Wednesday 8 - Friday 10 January,
in North Sydney.
The theme is beautiful & ... bizarre baroque.
Do let us know if you are interested in attending.
It's a great opportunity to focus
on baroque style, technique and repertoire
especially for those too far away to attend regular classes
Summer 2025
information page
Course Brochure
Enrolment form (or just email the details)
On the last class of the year, December 19, we will have a little Christmas Party (with dancing of course) for students and friends. At the usual class venue.
An invitation to students & friends ....
The EDC Christmas Party 2024 will be held on
Thursday 19th December, 6.30pm – 8.30pm,
at 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney.
We’d love you to come and join us to celebrate the season,
and the end of the year’s classes - and join in the dancing.
Cool festive attire recommended, dance shoes essential!
We welcome contributions for the table
(really simple finger food, non-alcoholic drinks—cups, plates &c
provided).
Happy Festive/Christmas–New Year season of Summer and holidays!
Hope to see you soon, or in the New Year 2025.
Best wishes, Fiona & John.
Term 4 Evening Classes will begin on Thursday 17 October and run for 10 weeks to 19 December. See our 2024 Class brochure for printable information or visit Classes and Schedule pages for details. Please advise us if you'd like to join, or try the first class (free). No partner or previous experience needed.
Historic Dance Delights
invite you to a...
Winter Weekend of Baroque Dance, 2 -4
August, 2024
Workshops presented: by Fiona Garlick & John Barnard of the Early Dance
Consort (Sydney)
Dates: 2 August (Friday evening) - 4 August
(Sunday afternoon) - See below for schedule
Venue: Church Hall, All Saints Anglican Church, 9-15
Cowper Street, Ainslie ACT 2602
Bookings:
https://events.humanitix.com/host/63129d888b09f6126d4d9470
Join us to enjoy the aristocratic elegance of the Belle Danse (Beautiful
Dance) of the Baroque era. Fiona and John will lead you through
workshops in early 18th Century Dance from the court of Louis XIV.
The weekend will include introductory sessions to learn technique, steps
and rhythms through to more advanced sessions to learn the various dance
forms and figures of choreographies from the era of the great Sun King.
Louis XIV of France changed the course of European dance history,
promoting the aristocratic elegance and technical precision of French
court dance, encouraging its development and notation and ensuring that
French remains the language of classical ballet even today.
The Baroque Winter School is designed to suit both those new to baroque
dance and those with some experience. You will learn about the different
Baroque dance forms including the Bourrée, Gavotte, Minuet, Sarabande &
Gigue. No experience or partner required.
There are two ticket options available:
Ticket A (Sessions 1,
2 and 5) - For newcomers to baroque dance, the Friday evening
introductory session and first sessions on Saturday and Sunday offer an
introduction to the technique, and the chance to sample excerpts
building to a full dance.
Ticket B (All 6
Sessions) - For those with a working knowledge of baroque dance, the
afternoon sessions will be devoted to developing repertoire and style
with one or more ballroom dances, while the introductory and first
sessions on each day will provide an opportunity to work on technique.
| Day | Session | Time | Content | For |
| Friday | 6.30pm | Registration, meet & greet | All attendees | |
| Session 1 | 6.45-8.30pm | Intro & technique | Ticket A or B | |
| Saturday | Session 2 | 10-11.30am | Technique & sequences | Ticket A or B |
| Morning Tea | 11.30-11.45am | Tea/coffee provided | ||
| Session 3 | 11.45am-1.15pm | Repertoire | Ticket B | |
| Lunch | 1.15-2.15pm | BYO Lunch | ||
| Session 4 | 2.15-3.45pm | Repertoire | Ticket B | |
| Sunday | Session 5 | 12.30-2.00pm | Technique & dance/excerpt | Ticket A or B |
| Afternoon Tea | 2.00-2.30pm | Tea/coffee provided | ||
| Session 6 | 2.30-4.00pm | Repertoire | Ticket B | |
| Ticket type | Fee | Notes | For | |
| TICKET A | $85 | Sessions 1, 2 & 5 | Suitable for those
new to Baroque Dance |
|
| TICKET B | $170 | All 6 Sessions | Recommended for
those with dance experience |
Bookings:
https://events.humanitix.com/host/63129d888b09f6126d4d9470
What to wear: Light comfortable clothes (layers work well in
Canberra).
Flat, light shoes for warm-ups (such as ballet flats). Comfortable,
light, secure low-heeled shoes for Baroque dance (such as Grecian
Sandals/teaching shoes, Character shoes, or Jazz shoes).
What to bring: Water bottle. Tea/Coffee will be provided. Please bring a plate of something to share for Saturday morning tea and Sunday
afternoon tea. BYO lunch on Saturday.
Questions: contact
historicdancedelights@gmail.com
Historic Dance Delights -
https://historicdancedelights.org.au/
Early Renaisssance Dancing on the
Green - led by Fiona & John for
Petersham Bowling Club's Medieval Day,
Saturday 17 August 2024, 12 noon to 5pm
There will be Early Renaissance dancing al fresco,
led by Fiona & John, for
Petersham Bowling Club's Medieval Day
Saturday 17 August, 2024, 12noon - 5pm
*Renaissance dancing at 1pm on the top green
*Traditional garb is encouraged with best dressed prizes for young and
old
See
https://www.thepbc.org.au/medievalday for more information about the
displays of ancient martial and peaceable pursuits, and refreshments on
offer.
The day is a free event for all, presented by the not-for-profit,
community-owned, pokie-free
Petersham Bowling Club. 77 Brighton Street, Petersham
NSW 2049.
Term 3 Evening Classes in Court Dance will begin on
Thursday July 25, and run for 10 classes to September 26. We would like
to remind you that the first class is free to try. Please confirm that
you plan to come along, providing a mobile number and email address if
you are new to the class.
See our
2024 Class brochure for printable information or visit
Classes and
Schedule pages for details.
Thanks to all who attended our Mid-Winter Ball on July 4 (which brought Term 2 classes to a close) and joined in some enjoyably energetic dances to keep the Winter cold at bay. Great to catch up with old friends and meet newcomers keen to sample the pleasures of early dance.
The Early Dance Consort invites you to our
end-of-term Ball:
Thursday 4 July 2024, 6.15 for 6.30 pm—9.30 pm
181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney
(the usual class venue)
Please wear warm and festive attire
suitable for dancing,
and bring some easy finger food to share
or some drink (no alcohol).
Cups & plates provided.
Enrolled students: no charge. Guests: $10 entry (cash/OSKO)
Hope you can join us for some Winter Revelry.
Warm wishes, Fiona & John.
Term 2 Evening Classes in Court Dance began on Thursday
May 2, in North Sydney. Term 2 runs for 10 classes up to July 4, when
there will be our Mid-Winter Ball (see above). We
would like to remind you that the first class is free to try. Please
confirm that you
plan to come along, providing a mobile number and email address if you
are new to the class.
Our Evening Classes in Court Dance resumed for 2024 on Thursday
February 1, in North Sydney. Term 1 ran for 10 classes up to April
11 (with no class on February 15).
See our
2024 Class brochure for printable information or visit
Classes and
Schedule pages for full details.
Summer Post-script: We had a wonderful group for the Course, with students coming from far and near. The steps and elegant figures of a charming Passepied and a Bourree (both from original 18th C notations) emerged over the three days, along with some sweeping English Country Dances and a French Contredanse for relaxation.
Our SUMMER COURSE 2024 -
Beguiling Baroque is planned for Wednesday 3
January to Friday 5 January, 9.15am to 3.45pm, in North Sydney.
EDC Summer 2024 Brochure &
Enrolment Form are now available to peruse & download as needed.
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The Spring Ball - the first such event for 4 years since COVID - was on November 16. We have missed seeing so many friends in that time. Thank you to all those who came along, and especially to our wonderful musicians, Bridgitte and Fiona, who played some special dances for us.
*
An Invitation to a Ball to Celebrate the Spring
(which seems to have been somersaulting into Summer)
Date Thurs 16 November 2023 (=Term 4 Week #6)
Time 6.15 for 6.30pm—9.30pm
Place 181 Blues Point Rd, North Sydney (Class venue)
Entry Free for currently enrolled students
$10 for visitors/friends (See
Invitation for payment options)
Wear Spring colours, costume if desired, dance
shoes
essential, but try to avoid high heels or trailing skirts
Bring Finger food (ready to eat)
or
non-alcoholic drink (cups, plates &c provided)
RSVP: 11 November, 2023 SMS 0400 104 969
E
enquiries@earlydanceconsort.com.au
* The illustration is from a 1599 treatise on dance &
gymnastics -
please do not try this at home
CLASS UPDATE -
Evening Classes resume for Term 4 at 6.15pm on October 12,
at 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney. The term will run for 10 weeks until
14 December, when we will have a little Christmas-End-of-Year gathering.
Week 6 of the term, November 16, will be our Spring Ball
- the first such event for 4 years since COVID. We have
missed seeing so many EDC friends in that time, so we hope that you'll
be able to make it.
Please let us know if you'd like to come along to Classes, and/or to the
Ball.
See
Classes for general information, and
Schedule for more details about
location, dates (including for 2024 classes), times etc.
2024 Class Brochure
Term 3 -
Evening Classes resumed for Term 3 at 6.15pm on July
20, in North Sydney. The term ran until 21 September, but was only 9
classes, with no class on
August 3 due to a performance engagement.
Beginners welcome - no experience or partner needed. Drop us a line if you'd like to come along. See
Classes for general information, and
Schedule for more details about
location, dates, times etc.
2023 Class Brochure PDF
Term 2 - with apologies - our evening class on May 4 was cancelled due to COVID. Classes resumed on May 11.
After a successful Term 1, and - we hope - a relaxing time over Easter,
our Term 2
Evening Classes will resume on Thursday 27 April, at 6.15pm, 181 Blues
Point Road, North
Sydney. The term will run for 10 weeks, until 29 June. Please let us
know if you'd like to come along. See
Classes for general information, and
Class Schedule for more details
about location, dates, times etc.
2023 Class Brochure
Evening Classes recommenced for 2023 at 6.15pm on February 2, in North Sydney. The term ran for 10 weeks, until 6 April. See Classes for general information, and Class Schedule for more details about location, dates, times etc. 2023 Class Brochure
Our Summer Course 2023 "Back to baroque" was held in North Sydney January 4-6. Thanks to all those wonderful devotees of early music and dance who came from far and wide to share their talent and enthusiasm, and learn some elegant and energetic dances from early 18th century France and England.
Our
2023 Summer Course in
Early Dance will be held in North Sydney
from
Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 January.
The Theme is "Back to baroque". Follow link for more details.
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Term 4
Evening Classes
begin at 6.15pm on Thursday 13 October, and will run for 10 weeks
in North Sydney to 15 December.
Please see Class
Schedule and
2022 Class Brochure
for information.
We have been continuing with a revised COVID-19 Safety Plan to permit some
proximity and contact while wearing masks. However, for Term 4 we would
like to make mask-wearing optional, if students are happy with this. We
encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and take
advantage of the latest boosters. Numbers will continue to be restricted
and hand
hygiene, ventilation and cleaning will continue as before.
If you are interested in coming along to the classes, please email your details and let us know that you'd like to attend.
We advise you to bring your own water and snacks, and to wear warm
clothing in layers to keep warm as we maintain open windows for
ventilation. As ever, if you are at all unwell, or
have been exposed to any recent close contact or other risks, do get a COVID-19 test and stay home, following all NSW Health guidelines.
With Timbrell and Dance
Update: See https://consort8.org/videos/ for video excerpts of the Renaissance dances.
A concert to celebrate the Sesquicentenary of St Paul’s Anglican Church Burwood
Members of the EDC will once again join Consort 8 in a concert of early
music and dance as part of the Sesquicentenary celebrations for the
beautiful St Paul's Anglican Church in Burwood.
With
Timbrell and Dance - 6.00pm Saturday 13 August 2022
at
St Paul's Anglican Church, 205-207 Burwood Rd, Burwood.
Please see
https://consort8.org/concerts/ or download flyer for important information
about the performance, tickets & transport.
Bookings.
PDF Flyer
Term 3 Evening Classes in Court Dance began at
6.15pm on Thursday 21 July, and ran for 10 weeks in North Sydney to
22 September.
Please see Class
Schedule and
2022 Class Brochure
for information.
We continued with a revised COVID-19 Safety Plan to permit some proximity
and contact while wearing masks, but required everyone in attendance
- teachers, students and any visitors - to show that they have been
fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (unless having a valid medical
excuse). Numbers were restricted, and masks
were to be worn indoors including during the class. Hand
hygiene, ventilation and cleaning requirements continued as before.
If you are interested in coming along to the classes, please email your details and let us know that you'd like to attend.
We advise you to bring your own water and snacks, and to wear warm
clothing in layers as we maintain open windows for ventilation. As ever,
if you are at all unwell, or
have been exposed to any recent close contact or other risks, do get a COVID-19 test and stay home, following all NSW Health guidelines.
Our friends from Consort 8 presented In the Stillness of Time on Saturday 30 April, 6pm, at St Paul's Anglican Church in Burwood, featuring music of Ahle, Caldini, Campion, Cavendish, Dowland, Kogler, Lane, Ravenscroft, Sieg and Tunder. Details https://consort8.org/concerts.
Evening Classes 2022 Term 2 commenced at 6.15pm on Thursday 28 April, and ran in North Sydney on 10 Thursday evenings to 30 June.
2022 Evening Classes Term 1 commenced on Thursday 3rd February at 181
Blues Point Road, North Sydney. We managed to get through the whole
term, returning to the former extended schedule, observing the necessary
precautions.
PLEASE NOTE for the safety of all,
CLASSES will resume in 2022 under a COVID-19 Safety Plan
and subject to NSW Government Health regulation.
See Schedule
for
the full details.
2022 Class Brochure
Summer Course 5 - 7 January 2022
A special
Baroque edition....
With sincere apologies for the late notice due to COVID-19 uncertainties, yes, we have decided to plan and hope
to hold a Summer Course - Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 January, between 9am
and 4pm each day, at 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney. See
Summer 2022 for details.
Brochure
Enrolment Form
Please let us know if you are interested in attending the course, which will focus on the technique and select repertoire of the Baroque dance. La Belle Danse - the beautiful dance - evolved at the court of Louis XIV of France, and had a major influence on the development of what we now know as classical ballet, and on the European musical repertoire from the late 17th century through much of the 18th.
For the safety of all participants, we will be conducting the course under a COVID-19 Safety Plan, with double vaccination, check-in, limited numbers, masks (optional during exercise) and distancing and hygiene requirements. Baroque dance is well-suited to these needs, with limited or no partner contact, and a variety of steps and figures to suit solo or couple performance. Learning something of the precise technique of the different dance types in the Baroque repertoire can be a revelation to musicians. It can provide insights for dancers and actors into the cultural origins of classical ballet and ballroom dance, and into courtly deportment for the stage.
Footnote to the 2022 Summer Course - yes, it really happened, and we were delighted to welcome a wonderful group of students from near and far, for three days of intensive Baroque dance. Thank you all!
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With Timbrell and Dance - Concert postponed
Members of the Early
Dance Consort will (sometime) be appearing in another concert with Consort 8.
Originally scheduled for
6.00pm on Saturday 7 August, at
St Paul's Anglican Church in Burwood, the concert is postponed due to
the current Greater Sydney COVID-19 lockdown, with a date yet to be
announced. It will be part of celebrations for the 150th
Anniversary of the Church. See
https://consort8.org/concerts/ for more information.
PLEASE NOTE:
CLASSES will recommence for part of Term 4, 2021 under a COVID-19 Safety Plan
and
subject to NSW Government Health regulations
2021 Evening Classes - term 4 planned to commence, but late
Please see
Class
Schedule for the 2021 Class Program in North Sydney.
We hope to begin Term 4 on October 28 (2 weeks later than scheduled),
with a new COVID-19 Safety Plan. Everyone in attendance (16 years and
over) - teachers, students and any visitors - will be
required to show that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (unless having a
valid medical excuse). We will need to restrict numbers, wear masks
indoors including during the class, and use QR check-in, observe physical distancing, hand
hygiene, ventilation and cleaning requirements.
Recent students have been contacted by email to advise of resumption of classes, and we welcome any one else who may be interested in attending. However it is essential that you let us know if you'd like to attend, as we need to limit numbers, ensure vaccination status, and record contact details for COVID-19 tracing and our administrative purposes. Everyone will now be familiar with the Service NSW smartphone app required to scan our QR code, check in and out of classes, and to provide proof of vaccination. Please wear a mask, and bring your own water and snacks. If you are at all unwell, or have been exposed to any recent contact, hotspot or travel risks, do get a COVID-19 test and stay home, following all NSW Health guidelines.
See Classes for more info & Schedule for dates & details. PDF Brochure .
2021 has been an interesting year for classes, as we lost Term 3 in the limbo of lockdown. Term 4 is under way and will continue until 16 December. We have been operating under a new COVID-19 Safety Plan, with various health requirements including masks, QR check-in, vaccination, distancing and other hygiene measures.
2021 Summer Course 6 to 8 January CANCELLED as of 31 December 2020
Sadly, the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney in December led to our decision to cancel the course out of concern for the health of all involved. A sincere thank you to everyone who was planning to come, from near and far. We missed seeing you all at what was to have been our 12th Summer Course, and hope to meet up again before too long.
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2025 | 2024 | 2023 |2022 | 2021
© The Early Dance Consort 2026.