Dance historian Susan de Guardiola visited Chicagoland in September and treated a limited audience to an afternoon of workshops and an evening dance, sharing her latest research about dance steps and forms.

Location: Tammy’s Oak Park studio
228 Clinton Ave, #2, Oak Park, IL 60302

Schedule (all on Saturday, September 10, 2022):

• 1:00-2:45 Workshop 1
• 2:45-3:15 Break (social time and snacks, outside if possible)
• 3:15-5:00 Workshop 2
• 5:30-7:00 Supper on your own or join us for a potluck (to be held outside if possible)
• 7:30-10:00 Evening dance

Live music was provided for the later workshop and the evening by Jonathan Whitall (fiddle, piano) and Meg Dedolph (guitar, percussion)

 

Workshop 1 – Steps for Hornpipes

Beyond the pas de bourrée!  Dance early 18th century triple-time favorites like “Hole in the Wall” as you’ve never danced them before, with easy steps that link dance to music in beautiful new ways.

Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot, Dancing Master 1695

Hole in the Wall, Dancing Master 1698

 

Workshop 2 – Dancing Cotillions

“Much obliged for the quadrilles, which I am grown to think pretty enough, though of course they are very inferior to the cotillions of my own day.”  (Jane Austen, letter to Fanny, 1816)
We learned the steps and figures of these intricate French square dances beloved by everyone from Jane Austen to George Washington.

Queen of Diamonds, French ca. 1775 Music: English, c1775.  Figures: American, 1804-1809.  The tune was “Queen of Diamonds” which happens to be the same as “Steamboat Quickstep”, which is just a later name for it.

Little Wood, American,  1808.

 

Evening dance – Susan’s Potpourri!

An evening featuring a mix of longways, squares, and more from the 17th century to the 21st!  Dances from the afternoon workshops were included and live music filled the air!

1. Kentucky Reel, mid 19^th century
2. Queen of Diamonds Cotillion 
3. Friend Sandy, 1816 (slightly modified from the historical original)
4. Beveridge’s Maggot, 1695
5. Light Dragoons, mid 19^th century
6. Savage Dance, 1784
7. A Spanish Dance, ca. 1820
8. Sociable, mid 19^th century (see also here)
9. Hole in the Wall, 1698
10. Masha Poka!, 2020

The dancing was in the studio space, which was well ventilated with air filters. We required everyone attending to be fully vaccinated and to show proof of vaccination (if we haven’t seen yours already). Everyone also wore masks inside when not actively eating or drinking.

 

We require everyone attending to be fully vaccinated and to show proof of vaccination (if we haven’t seen yours already). You can present it at the time, or send a photo or scan of it to us in advance. We also expect everyone to wear masks inside when not actively eating or drinking.

Cost (payable at the door, cash or check only):

• Full day: $40 (includes both workshops and evening dance)
• Workshop 1 only: $15
• Workshop 2 only: $15
• Evening dance: $20

All funds went to Susan and the musicians; many thanks to Randi and Tammy for the use of the space!