Saturday, April 10, 2021

19h00 (Paris Time) / 6.00 pm (London Time) / 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (10:00 a.m. Pacific Time)

Registration

As part of New London Assembly / AEM Week-End Online Classes, Amherst Early Music, largest presenter of Early Music workshops in North America :

---

 

Selected Dances from the 11th Chestnut Costume Ball

with Cécile Laye & Brad Foster

 

 

Cécile Laye and Chestnut have prepared a number of practice videos for their next Ball. This workshop will cover most of the dances in those videos and will add additional instructions. Dances presented will be selected from the historic dances Punk’s Delight, Parson’s Farewell and Staines Morris, all from the 1st edition of Playford in 1651, plus the modern dance Preston Almaine by Brian Wegbury. The workshop will include further discussion on dance steps and Cécile’s interpretations. The videos we cover are also separately available for sale from Chestnut.

 

---

 

Cécile LAYE is CHESTNUT’s artistic director.

She studied old dance forms in England with the Dolmetsch Historical Dance Society,  Nonsuch History and Dance and EFDSS (English folk Dance and Song Society). She worked in particular under such famed teachers and researchers as  Anne Daye, Anne Cottis, Peggy Dixon, Ethyl Anderson, Marjorie Fennessy, Tom Cook and Alan Davies. In France she studied with Francine Lancelot, Andréa Francalancci and Barbara Sparti.

At the end of the eighties, she founded AMARILLIS, a dance company meaning to bring to the public figure dances of the Stuarts’ time and the English inheritance, as well as some aspects of history and literature, with the collaboration of musicians and singers. AMARILLIS was replaced by CHESTNUT in 1998. CHESTNUT took over its predecessor’s artistic activities (creating dance and theatre shows), its teaching (preparing dancers for Balls through a rich program of workshops and classes) and its publication ones (CDs, dance descriptions, articles on Playford and modern dances).

Over the years, Cécile LAYE has build up a strong experience as a dancing master and ball caller (French Renaissance balls/ English figure dances balls, or a mixture of both). She can pass on her taste for and pleasure in elegant dancing to beginners as well as seasoned dancers.

Besides her activities in the field of dancing, Cécile Laye studied dramatic art and staging, graduating at Cours Florent. She also graduated at Eva Ruchpaul’s Yoga Institute and the Paris school of Gestalt-therapy. She played Shakespeare, Molière and Marivaux in Paris and elsewhere in France and takes part in creating new plays and shows, for children in particular.

She draws on both sides of her extensive training, physical and artistic, to develop her teaching method.

Her constant aim is to understand the needs of a given group and of each person making up the group, to build up a class so that each person gradually understands the dance, becomes aware of his/her body and its expressive capacities, be it during a lesson, a ball, or on stage.

---

For nearly 40 years, BRAD FOSTER has been calling and sharing his love of dancing with people of all ages. A caller of English country dances, contras and squares, Brad is known for his clear and concise teaching as well as his community building. Brad started country dancing while in high school in Pasadena, CA. Soon thereafter he started teaching, and has been at it ever since. Brad travels extensively, holding workshops throughout the U.S., Canada and overseas. A frequent staff member at many North American dance weeks and weekends, Brad is now Executive and Artistic Director Emeritus of the Country Dance & Song Society (CDSS) after serving for 28 years. 

Besides teaching, Brad runs New London Assembly, a week-long program in English dance that is part of the Amherst Early Music Festival; the New Home Ball, a historical-style English ball; and 1794 Meetinghouse, with a summer concert series and year-round community chorus. 

---

 

Cécile Laye's talk "Playford 1651 ... and more !" (2/3) in English

 

Saturday, April 24, 2021 

(France : 19h30 / UK : 6.30 pm / USA : 1.30 pm East ST / USA : 10.30 am  Pacific ST)

 

Registration : over here

---> Please note: registration will be definitively closed on 04/23/2021 at 22:00 (Paris time)

---

• In this 2nd talk (2/3) on the 17th century english countrydances repertoire, using many videos filmed with the support of the French National Dance Center, I will explore, starting with the Measure, the basic stuctures of the John Playford dances.

 

• In the First (1/3) in this serie of three talks devoted to the repertoire of 17th Century English figure dances and its reference text, After the generalities of use and the reminder of the historical context, I proposed to guide you step by step through the English Dancing Master (Generalities, Historical background, False leads, Let's open the book: orientation, numbering, proper and improper, music, ...)

 

• In the last talk (3/3), I would like to mention the Revival movement for dance and its head figure, Cecil Sharp.

---

Cécile LAYE is CHESTNUT’s artistic director.

She studied old dance forms in England with the Dolmetsch Historical Dance Society,  Nonsuch History and Dance and EFDSS (English folk Dance and Song Society). She worked in particular under such famed teachers and researchers as  Anne Daye, Anne Cottis, Peggy Dixon, Ethyl Anderson, Marjorie Fennessy, Tom Cook and Alan Davies. In France she studied with Francine Lancelot, Andréa Francalancci and Barbara Sparti.

At the end of the eighties, she founded AMARILLIS, a dance company meaning to bring to the public figure dances of the Stuarts’ time and the English inheritance, as well as some aspects of history and literature, with the collaboration of musicians and singers. AMARILLIS was replaced by CHESTNUT in 1998. CHESTNUT took over its predecessor’s artistic activities (creating dance and theatre shows), its teaching (preparing dancers for Balls through a rich program of workshops and classes) and its publication ones (CDs, dance descriptions, articles on Playford and modern dances).

Over the years, Cécile LAYE has build up a strong experience as a dancing master and ball caller (French Renaissance balls/ English figure dances balls, or a mixture of both). She can pass on her taste for and pleasure in elegant dancing to beginners as well as seasoned dancers.

Besides her activities in the field of dancing, Cécile Laye studied dramatic art and staging, graduating at Cours Florent. She also graduated at Eva Ruchpaul’s Yoga Institute and the Paris school of Gestalt-therapy. She played Shakespeare, Molière and Marivaux in Paris and elsewhere in France and takes part in creating new plays and shows, for children in particular.

She draws on both sides of her extensive training, physical and artistic, to develop her teaching method.

Her constant aim is to understand the needs of a given group and of each person making up the group, to build up a class so that each person gradually understands the dance, becomes aware of his/her body and its expressive capacities, be it during a lesson, a ball, or on stage.

Four Daily Online 2-hour Baroque Dance Steps in Context workshops during the Easter period.

Steps in Context workshops are a mix of Technique, Notation Reconstruction and Presentation Skills, but you don't need to be able to read notation to attend these sessions but those interested will have the opportunity to reconstruct some dance extracts.

All times stated are UK time zone

Session 1: 11am to 1pm: All Levels, Beginners & Improvers welcome:

A daily workshop covering the four dance rhythms of La Bourgogne.

Session 2: 2pm to 4pm: Intermediate/Advanced:

Sarabande à deux (from Tancrède) I & II; Friday & Saturday.

Entrée pour une femme (forlane) I & II, Sunday & Monday.

Session 3: 4.30pm to 6.30pm: All Levels, Beginners & Improvers welcome:

Minuet from The Address I & II, Friday & Saturday.

Chacoon for a Harlequin I & II, Sunday & Monday.

Session 4: 7.15pm to 9.15pm: Intermediate/Advanced:

Entrée de matelot I & II, Friday & Saturday.

Hornpipe from The Pastorall I & II, Sunday & Monday.

Different sections, of the dances marked I & II, will be chosen so participants may attend session II if unable to attend session I.

Minimum numbers are requied for all workshops, so please book sessions asap to ensure they all run.

Fee reductions for those attending multiple workshops, low income and full-time students.

For further information and book session, please contact Philippa: philippa@ukbaroquedance.com

 

Would you like to hone your 15th century footwork through systematic drills that promote grace, elegance and rhythm? Do you have issues hearing the music, or finding then beat? Then join my 15th Century Footwork Drill classes (both beginner and intermediate/advanced levels on offer) and dance your way to a happier person! :-)     Cost: $4 per person per class When: times/dates/levels detailed on registration form - Remember to double check your time zone! All times are based on New Mexico, United States

https://forms.gle/rgjHXWkwEtdPkSUa6

For those who crave the rabbit hole! :)  This three-hour workshop shall not only teach a choreography, but also paint a cultural picture from primary source chronicles describing dance in context and work on drilling the refinements for every step and transition to create a truly elegant, tantalizing result for both dancers and audience. And finally, we shall examine some variations from across the sources to create a sense of variety. This workshop shall be focusing on the various versions of Amoroso (there are four, in fact...).   Cost: $17 per person  Registration: https://forms.gle/Mo2uCKwiBjndsXKy9   When: April 24, 10:00-13:00, MST Where: Zoom

For those who crave the rabbit hole! :)  This three-hour workshop shall not only teach a choreography, but also paint a cultural picture from primary source chronicles describing dance in context and work on drilling the refinements for every step and transition to create a truly elegant, tantalizing result for both dancers and audience. And finally, we shall examine some variations from across the sources to create a sense of variety. This workshop shall focus on Marchesana.   Cost: $17 per person  Registration: https://forms.gle/Mo2uCKwiBjndsXKy9   When: March 28, 10:00-13:00, MST Where: Zoom

Join the Contessa and the renowned ensemble Gaita Medieval Music for a delightful morning/afternoon/evening of live music and dance - fifteenth century style! this month's theme is a celebration of Spring! For those who wish to fully participate in the theme, accessories might include wreaths and garlands of flowers and/or greenery - but not required for you to join us! :)   To encourage maximum participation, some of the dances shall be taught or walked through, with varying levels of complexity to satisfy everyone's tastes! Note that you can find detailed instructional videos for Grene Gynger, Amoroso, Vita di Cholino and Marchesana here (don't forget to like & subscribe if you enjoy the videos :-) ):   https://www.patreon.com/thecreativecontessa   For those who wish to review dances for the ball, two Ball Prep sessions are being offered shortly before the ball:
https://forms.gle/bmoiBi1KnjvWf6Ha8   Cost: Donation to support the efforts of the musicians and dance mistress. :)   Donations can be made via: Venmo: Rachel-Lorenz-7 (phone 253-285-8050) Paypal (send money to friends): thecreativecontessa@gmail.com   Zoom link:    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85430750111?pwd=ZzE4L1RVeDhkTjEyNW13cmg1Q3hHZ…   Date/Time: March 27, 12:00 PM MST (GMT -7)

The order of dance shall be as follows:   Opening dance: Cupido & Saltarello Petite Rose Pregionera* Filles a Marier# Leoncello* Lybens Distonys Danse de Cleves* Amoroso# Orynge* Gioliva & Saltarello# Marchesana* Vito di Cholino* Fia Guilemina* Gioioso* Grene Gynger#   # = quick walk-through review * = those who know it no mark = speed-taught  

Would you like to take your medieval and Renaissance dance to the next level? Or to learn exciting new versions of delightful dances from the glorious courts of the 15th century? Wish to hone fundamental footwork and techniques? Then join my four-part workshop series and expand your repertory! We shall be covering several dances over this series, possibly to include (rate of progress allowing):  Bassadanza Pellegrina, Bassadanza Mignotta vecchia, and Gratiosa   All classes shall be recorded and shared with participants, so no worries about missing a class, or not being able to keep up - you can review every second of class at your own pace!    Cost: $20 per person for whole series   Dates: April 18, April 25, May 9, May 16 Time: 12:15 - 13:15 pm MST (GMT -7)

Would you like to explore graceful social dance from the bygone era of the great medieval and Renaissance courts? Have no real experience, or wish to review fundamental footwork and techniques (and possibly learn new versions of dances)? Then join my four-part workshop series and walk away with a fundamental grasp of both the basics and several dances. We shall be covering several dances over this series, possibly to include:  anello for two (a completely new Contessa creation in the proper style), petits vriens, and danse de cleves.   All classes are recorded and shared with participants, so no worries about missing a class, or not being able to keep up - you can review every second at your own pace!    Cost: $20 per person    Dates: April 18, April 25, May 9, May 16 Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm MST (GMT -7)

Registration: https://forms.gle/U4oLmvdFzFuPgS8f9