Playford Dancing for Beginners

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Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford

Learn dance steps from the 17th century in these practical workshops.

Oxford, UK

<h1>Learn dance steps from the 17th century in these practical workshops</h1>Learn the English country dances featured in Playford’s 1651 collection, The Dancing Master, and used in modern film and television including Bridgerton, Pride and Prejudice and Poldark. These workshops are designed for those with no experience of Playford dances and are suitable for complete beginners. Caller Steph West will lead dancers through the steps, accompanied by musicians Matthew Coatsworth and Giles Lewin.Bring your new expertise to <a href="https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/jan24/the-playford-ball" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Dancing Master&#x27;s Ball</a> on Saturday 13 January 2024.

<h2>Dates &amp; locations</h2>The workshops take place on the following dates. The dance content is the same for each workshop.<ul><li>Sunday 5 November 2023, 12pm – 1pm, Blackwell Hall, Weston Library (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Weston+Library/@51.7505294,-1.2582912,14z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4876c6aed9ad970d:0x31a9da7efbaad953!8m2!3d51.754886!4d-1.2549338!16s%2Fg%2F11cn3b4m5y?entry=ttu" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">map</a>)</li></ul><ul><li>Thursday 30 November 2023, 7pm – 8pm, Cherwell School North Site, Marston Ferry Road (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Cherwell+School+North+Site/@51.7755341,-1.2618076,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4876c40e191825e5:0xf9f5a0407f37ff19!8m2!3d51.7755308!4d-1.2592327!16zL20vMDI5cnMy?entry=ttu" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">map</a>)</li></ul><ul><li>Wednesday 6 December 2023, 7pm – 8pm, Cherwell School North Site, Marston Ferry Road (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Cherwell+School+North+Site/@51.7755341,-1.2618076,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4876c40e191825e5:0xf9f5a0407f37ff19!8m2!3d51.7755308!4d-1.2592327!16zL20vMDI5cnMy?entry=ttu" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">map</a>)</li></ul><ul><li>Saturday 13 January 2024, 3.30–4.30pm, Blackwell Hall, Weston Library (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Weston+Library/@51.7505294,-1.2582912,14z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x4876c6aed9ad970d:0x31a9da7efbaad953!8m2!3d51.754886!4d-1.2549338!16s%2Fg%2F11cn3b4m5y?entry=ttu" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">map</a>)</li></ul>Parking is available at Cherwell School North Site.

<h2>What to bring</h2>Please wear appropriate non-slip footwear (soft sole shoes or trainers) for dancing.

<h2>About the musicians</h2>Steph West is a musician, educator and caller, best known as a harpist and for her ability to build confidence and enjoyment for beginners. Steph’s current projects include an electroharp, drums and voice duo with Paul Rademeyer, the English Harp Project with Matthew Coatsworth and accordionist Tom Evans, and work with RNS Moves as a performer and composer.Giles Lewin specialises in medieval music and the traditional music of Europe and the Middle East. He has played with The Carnival Band, June Tabor, Maddy Prior, Bellowhead and the Dufay Collective amongst many others. His album Time’s Chariot focused on music from Playford’s Dancing Master.Matthew Coatsworth is curating The Dancing Master exhibition at the Bodleian Libraries. A former member of Boldwood, he plays with The Warleggan Village Band, First Folio and with Steph West’s English Harp Project.

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Playford Dancing for Beginners

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Playford Dancing for Beginners

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