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What is Vintage Dance?
Vintage Dance is the term used to refer to dance, whether ballroom
or theatre, from about 1800 to the middle of the 20th century.
Dance before this period is usually referred to as "Historic Dance."
The study, reconstruction and performance of vintage dances has
grown amazingly in popularity in the past 20 years. There are vintage dance performing groups, researchers and performers across the country.
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How do researchers reconstruct vintage dances?
Dance researchers use a great variety of materials in their work.
They study old dance manuals, etiquette books, diaries and correspondence,
newspapers and magazine articles. They must also learn about period fashions, music,
history, aesthetics and customs to give the right feel and look when
translating verbal descriptions of steps into living dances. For newer dances
they can utilize films and take oral histories. A good reconstructor takes
all this into account when reconstructing a period dance.
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What are some problems encountered in reconstructing old dances?
There are many difficulties inherent in translating a verbal description into a physical movement. The greatest
problem is often how to fill in the blanks - to add the movements and styling points the writer has left out
either unknowingly or because he or she supposed that the contemporary reader took them for granted. |
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Often the step descriptions themselves can be inaccurate or unclear. Has the writer or editor made
an error? How do the movements fit the counts of the music? What style should be used? Has the writer
always defined his or her terminology clearly? Because of all these factors different reconstructors often
reconstruct the same dance with slight personal variations. There is never only one correct way to interpret
any dance from the past, but there is a parameter within which individual interpretation can be seen to be "correct" or acceptable.
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Can Vintage Dance be divided into periods? What dances were done in each period?
Just as in art and music, divisions of dance into distinct periods are arbitrary but convenient for study purposes. For a brief outline of
social dancing in the last two hundred years please see the
MIXED PICKLES' Dance Timeline
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How can I learn to do vintage dances?
The best way to learn more about Vintage Dance is from a good teacher. Please check
the links on the MIXED PICKLES' Homepage for some of the vintage workshops that take place
across the U.S. The "Vintage Dancing Page" in particular provides a good list of current Vintage Dance events.
Most Vintage Dance instructors would also be happy to arrange a lecture/demonstration
or lead a workshop in your area.
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