Sources of information about Early Dance

 


·         The Diary of Early Dance Events  lists performances, workshops, summer schools and other Early Dance events such as lectures and conferences, as well as regular classes, through out the UK and overseas.
It is available only to members of the Early Dance Circle and is issued three times a year, in March, July and November.

 

·         The Early Dance Circular  is the newsletter of the Early Dance Circle.  It contains news, views and reviews pertaining to Early Dance in general and to EDC activities in particular.
It is sent to members of the Early Dance Circle three times a year, in January, May and September.  A specimen copy will be sent on request;  please ask the Membership Secretary.

 

·         Early Dance Circle mailings  normally include publicity material about future events and courses that is supplied by their organisers.

 

·         Dance through History  is a regularly updated pack of information sheets containing authoritative information on each main period of Historical Dance from the Middle Ages to the 19th century and on the related arts of music and costume for dancing.  There is abundant reference to books and pamphlets for further reading. 
The contents of this pack can be accessed by clicking on
Dance Through History or can be supplied in hard copy by post (see Publications).

 

·         EDC publications  include a number of items specifically designated as aids to study, as well as the Proceedings of past conferences on Early Dance themes (see Publications).

 

·         The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library  at Cecil Sharp House (2 Regent’s Park Road, London, NW1 7AY) is mainly devoted to Folk Dance and Song, but it also has a substantial section on Historical Dance. This includes Melusine Wood’s papers as well as printed sources.
Use of the Library is free to members of the English Folk Dance and Song Society;  non-members are charged a daily fee.  Postal and telephone enquiries are welcomed (tel: 020 7284 0523).  Opening hours:  Monday to Friday, 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., but sometimes closed for lunch.

 

·         The British Library, 96 Euston Road, St Pancras, London, NW1 2DB, holds many rare books relating to Early Dance that are difficult to find elsewhere.  In order to use the reading rooms, you will need a reader pass, obtainable only in person from the Reader Admissions Office in the front hall.  It would be wise to seek advice in advance about the formalities involved in obtaining a pass, by e-mailing reader-admissions@bl.uk or telephoning 020 7412 7677.

 

·         The National Resource Centre for Historical Dance  comprises a working library, open to the public, that covers all aspects of Early Dance.  This includes dance music, period dress (including costume-making) and social history of the most relevant times and places.   For fuller information, see NRCHD