Terpsichore Class Schedule
Bonus Early Bird Class
Learning - Current Practical Understanding and Recommendations - Sir Midair MacCormaic
When learning a skill, either cognitive and/or physical, there have been recent advances in the state of the art in understanding how people can learn. In this class, I’ll review the illusion of Knowing, learning myths and misconceptions, how we learn, and specific advice on what you can do to improve your chances of learning. While I am not an expert, I am taking the best from academic presentations at military conferences (i.e. soldier training, but generalized) and the online class Learning How to Learn. This particular instance of this class is focused on the dance community, but it also applies to martial, crafting, and knowledge areas in the SCA.
Beginner Track - Classroom A
Intro to Gresley Dances - Mistress Emma Danskona and Master Martin Bildner
Fun and simple dances from the Gresley Manuscript, including Ly Bens Distonys, Grene Gynger, and New Yere. Possibly also Rawty and Armynn, if there is time to squeeze one or two more in.
Beginning English Country Favorites - Ranthulfr
RuftyTufty, Heart's Ease, Gathering Peascods, Jenny Pluck Pears
The Bransle Suite! - Yngerame Erskyne and Vincent O’Cosnachain
No partner? No problem! Simple circle dances that are made even more fun with live music, including Cassandra Pinagay Charlotte, War, and Aridan.
Beginning 15th C. Italian dances - Lady Magdalena Vogelsang
Petit Vriens, Anello, Rostiboli Gioioso, Gelosia
Selected Dances from the Penta Pentamere CDs - Baroness Gwenllyen the Minstrel, Master of the Pelican
Contrapasso from the Chigi manuscripts will be the first dance. After that we will choose easier dances from the Penta Pentamere CDs, including (as time permits) Black Alman, Petite Rose, Montarde Bransle, Dargason, and possibly more!
Intermediate English Country Track - Classroom B
How to Dance ECD (the fun way!) - Alexander of Mistig Waetru
Renaissance England was not exactly known for VIctorian fastidiousness. (Have you read Shakespeare?) In this class, we’ll let our hair down and let some laughter into our dance. Prior knowledge of ECD is not required. Be prepared to step (or leap) out of your comfort zone.
Sailing and Stargazing - The Honorable Lord Dafydd Arth
Two original choreographies in the style of 3-couple ECDs. Set sail with Burley Mariners, which is a brisk, lively ECD with a couples hey and a fun zig-zag progression figure. Then spend some time spinning through half-stars and soaking up some adoration as Lord Sun and Lady Moon.
Some Playford Dances that We Used to Know - The Honorable Lord Dunstan Bramblette
It’s been awhile since many of us have been to a dance event. Come and review or learn for the first time some fun Playford dances that we used to know back in the day. Dances include: Black Nag, Picking of Sticks, and Upon a Summer’s Day. Prior knowledge of ECD is not required.
Puzzling Good Luck Charms - The Honorable Lord Dafydd Arth
Two dizzy-making original choreographies in the style of 4-couple ECDs. Shannon’s Shamrock is a cousin of dances like Hyde Park, Posties, or Newcastle, with an Irish twist. Puzzle Box includes back-and-forth set transformations and ends with the crowd-pleasing ‘Death Spiral’.
Intermediate ECD Favorites - Alexander of Mistig Waetru
What do Whirligig and Newcastle have in common? Well! They are both English Country Dances... with three verses... and three (unique) choruses... and... oh, whatever. The similarity is that Alex likes both of them a lot. Time permitting, we will also do Goddesses: Alex's favorite dance in which only 12.5% of the dancers need to know the choreography! Some ECD experience is helpful but not mandatory.
Intermediate 16th Century Italian Track - Classroom C
Torneo Amoroso- Yngerame Erskyne
Come learn Negri’s version of this challenging 16th Century Italian dance. If time permits, we’ll also go over Caroso’s version of the dance. Some knowledge of 16th C. Italian dance would be helpful.
Passo e Mezzo (Simplified Version) - Maestra Sara de Bonneville
This is a version of Caroso's Passo e Mezzo from 1581, simplified in that only the women's variations (mutanza) will be danced, alternately by Dancer 1 and Dancer 2. The men's variations will be outlined at the end of the handout but will not be taught during the class. Some knowledge of 16th C. Italian dance would be helpful.
Le Bellezze d'Olimpia and Maraviglia d’Amore - Maestra Sara de Bonneville
These two lovely 16th Century Italian dances were taught at the 2017 Known World Dance & Music Symposium by guest artist Barbara Segal of the U.K. This is another look at those dances, reflecting how my interpretation has changed over the last several years. Some knowledge of 16th C. Italian dance would be helpful.
Allegrezza d’Amore (Nobilta) - Maestro Etienne de Clermont
Come learn about the joy of love, which apparently involves three people. Some knowledge of 16th C. Italian dance would be helpful.
16th C. Italian Favorites - THL Sionnain of Mynedd Seren and Vincent O’Cosnachain
We’ll start with Fedelta, and then do as many of the following as time allows: Gracca Amorosa, Bizzaria d’Amore, and Bella Gioiosa.
Miscellaneous Track - Classroom D
15th c. Basse Danse - Felice Debbage, Dance Master (OL)
Inconceivable! Why are these so good while still being so basic?! When you get them smooth like silk on glass, you'll understand their allure. "Orleans,” “Bayonne,” “La Rochelle” (with memorization aids) and also “Tous Mes Amys,”a new basse dance choreography for four unpartnered dancers. (beginner/intermediate)
How to be an Evil Dance Laurel - Messer. Sion Andreas o Wynedd
Evil? You, Uncle Sion? Mais oui! What good is being a dancing master if you can’t engage in researchish and choreographish naughtiness? Come see what terrible things I did over Plague Break. Fee Ra Huri and Ein Nurembergishe Tanz. (beginner/intermediate)
Italian Trios - The Honorable Lord Dafydd Arth
Two 15th Century Italian dances for three dancers. Vita di Cholino and Spero. (beginner/intermediate)
Italian Country Dances - Messer Sion Andreas o Wynedd
What?! Uncle Sion, there’s no such beast! No, there isn’t but what if the close relationship between Italian Court Dance and the English Country Dances had taken a left turn at Albuquerque? The result might have looked something like this. Sweet Nothings and Faith and Hope. (beginner/intermediate)
The Star of a Pavan and Galliard - Felice Debbage, Dance Master (OL)
16th c. Italian improvisational dance referenced in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. This sparks joy!
"Why dost thou not go to church in a galliard and come home in a coranto? My very walk should be a jig. I would not so much as make water but in a sink-a-pace. What dost thou mean? Is it a world to hide virtues in? I did think, by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was formed under the star of a galliard." (beginner/intermediate)