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CLASSES EVENING SCHEDULE GRAND BALL DANCE FAQ PW DANCE MAILING LIST DANCE STAFF

European Dance at Pennsic 37 Greetings from Judith, called de Northumbria! This year I once more have the pleasure of leading activities in honor of the muse of dance, Terpsichore. There shall be a full range of classes scheduled in the Dance Pavilion, ranging from absolute beginner to very advanced (see the list of classes on the Pennsic book). There will be something for everyone who wishes to learn! We will also be offering wide variety of night-time revels in the dance pavilion open to dancers and spectators alike. Even if you have never tried dancing before, maybe this should be your year – come by the Pavilion and give it a whirl! The Grand Ball, held in the barn, will have the theme of red and gold (more details below). If you're new to dance at Pennsic, please see the Commonly Asked Questions. Judith de Northumbria e-mail

Dance Classes

Each day, absolute beginners' classes will be scheduled at 2 pm; focused beginner classes (themed to a specific historical period and region) will be at 3 pm, and prep classes for the Grand Ball will be scheduled at 5 pm (for beginners) and 6 pm (for advanced).

Please see the Pennsic Dance website for the full schedule of classes.

Scheduled Special Dances

Grand Pennsic Ball - Tuesday, August 5th

People are, of course, permitted to attend and participate even if they are not wearing red or gold. This is only intended to add a little festivity and visual interest to the proceedings.

The dances will be:

1651 English:

New Boe Pepe, Sellenger's Round, Gathering Peascods, Hearts' Ease, Rufty Tufty, Parson's Farewell, Black Nag

15th c. English:

Lybens Dysonis

15th c. French:

Danse de Cleves & Pas de Brabant/Saltarello

15th c. Italian:

Amoroso, Gelosia, Anello, (improvised) Saltarello, Chirintana, Rostiboli Gioioso, Lauro, Petits Vriens, Piva

16th c. English:

Madame Cecilia's Almain, Black Almain, Lorraine Almain, Pavanne & Galliard

16th c. French:

Galliarde a la Lyonaise, Double Bransle Suite, Cassandra Bransle Suite, Haye Bransle, Official Bransle, Horse's Bransle, Montarde Bransle, Mystery Suite (i.e., dancers will have to attend the music), Coranto

16th c. Italian:

Gracca Amorosa, Villanella, La Castellana, Ballo del Fiore, Bizzaria D'Amore, Lo Spagnoletto

15th century revel - Thursday, August 7th

The theme of the food, dancing and music will be 15th century, but that does not preclude people who have no 15th-century clothing from attending – ALL are welcome, whether they dance, drink or do anything 15th century or not … Vikings, Romans, Arabs, Magyars, Franks, everyone! Please, pass this invitation on to all and sundry. It is a party, first and foremost!

Common Questions About Pennsic Dance

Where is it?

For daytime classes and evening dancing, we have a dance pavilion with a feet-friendly wooden floor at the southeast end of the A&S area. There will be open dancing and themed dance parties in the evenings. All are welcome to the parties, so bring a friend! Sometimes there are games and refreshments at the parties, for those that just want to do the period practice of schmoozing with friends and watching the revels.

For evening dance at other times, and for post-midnight open dancing, we are in the barn.

Assembly of the dance tent floor runs from the first Monday through Wednesday at noon (since evening dancing starts that night!), and disassembly is after classes on the final Friday (Aug 8). All help and especially power drills and screwdrivers are very much appreciated!

When do things take place?

Classes run from 10 am - 7 pm.

Evening dance starts at 9pm sharp in the dance pavilion and runs until 2 am, After midnight we must be a little quieter in the dance pavilion, so no hard-soled shoes and no bagpipe music!

Various Balls and Revels are scheduled in the early and late evenings.

The full schedule will appear in the onsite booklet (and on this webpage in the near future).

Will the dances be taught?

During evening dancing, a variety of dances will be done. Some will have a walk-through for the dancers, some will just have a quick talk-through (to remind dancers who might need a refresher), and the more elaborate dances won't be taught at all. During the balls, including the Pennsic Ball, almost no dances will be taught. But the dances that are likely to be on the schedules are taught either in the beginner's classes or in other classes during the day.

What is the Pennsic Ball? Is there a theme and do I need to follow it?

The Grand Pennsic Ball is a large dance gathering that draws over 200 people. This year’s theme is a colour ball, as hosted in the court of Phillip, Duke of Burgundy. The colours are red and gold. Of course, anyone may attend the ball, even without wearing red and/or gold; the theme is simply to attempt to create a certain atmosphere.

The ball will be held in the barn, on Tuesday, August 5th at 9:00 pm.

Do I need to bring a partner?

No, there are plenty of dancers each evening who would enjoy sharing a dance with someone new, so don't be shy. In period, both men and women were expected to ask people to dance. So this year try and ask someone you've never danced with!

I'm a musician interested in playing for dance - can I get the music sent to me?

For musicians interested in playing for evening dance or the Pennsic Ball, please contact the Musican Coordinator, Master Octavio de Flores, for advance copies of the music (see below).

Though we encourage period instruments, there is a place for everyone that plays. We will host an orientation session for new musicians; check the class schedule. For information, contact Master Octavio.

Jay Ter louw
2020 Ox Bottom Road
Tallahassee, FL 32312
or e-mail.

Find details of previous Pennsic's balls, dances, classes, photos, etc. at

http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/pennsicdance.html.