For a list of Ildhafn's upcoming regular practices and meetings, please see our Regular Activities page.
A somewhat constrained session, because Katherina forgot a piece of equipment, so we had only the music William had on him.
As only the advanced dance group was present, we didn't distinguish the sessions especially.
We warmed up with Amoroso, and lacking any newer dances, La Figlia de Guglielmino. Then worked through mk.II of Anna's class on Cesarina, as practice for Festival.
We practiced galliards a little more, to the Volta music on Celeste Giglio - fun, pretty, but not the easiest.
Open dance, taught by Anna:
We started with Amoroso, then the Branles of Champagne - Cassandra, Pinagay, Charlotte, La Guerre, Aridan.
Then Anna worked the class through the first few verses of Cesarina, giving the instructions in the original Italian. We came up with some interesting and varied floor-patterns.
Advanced Dance, taught by Katherina:
More work on basic galliard technique. Then Trihory and some Almains, for a simple finish.
Present - Katherina, Eleanor, Caterine, William
OPEN DANCE:
ADVANCED DANCE : Galliards
An extended session working on basic galliard technique, until we were tired and sweaty. We looked at the basic cinquepasso, both Arbeau's version and Caroso's versions, and kept at it. Talked about small changes in weight and balance, etc, to improve landings.
Just a small group of us tonight, and no-one was feeling very athletic, so Caterine and William worked their way through the CF ball list while Anna and Katherina talked (and sniffled - it's the season for colds).
During the Open/beginners hour we did Earl of Essex Alleymane, Lorrayne Almain, Madam Sosilia's Pavan, Black Almain, Amoroso and Petite Riense.
"Barriera" was a popular 16thC Italian dance (or so it seems, from the number of sources that record it). It came up in conversation, because we were talking about having Combat at the Barriers for our upcoming event. We practiced the version for one couple, from Caroso's Il Ballarino.
In the hour after the open dance class Mistress Katherina Weyssin looks at some more difficult material with her advanced students. All are welcome to stay and watch; participation is by invitation, and may depend on the style.
Present: Anna, Katherina, William, Caterine and Eleanor.
Warm-up: Walking and then using the piva step in time to the music from Gelosia
We have started a new format at Thursday night dance classes. from 7.30pm to 8.25pm is an Open/Beginners session. During this 55 minute slot dances are taught that will suit the level of those that are attending.
We had a quick run through Pavaniglia - the dance we practiced intensively over summer, and performed at CF - and talked through our performace, what went well, where we fell down. Overall, we're pleased with how we did, and want to keep this one ready to perform again.
We talked through the ball at CF - which dances worked well, how we'd change both the ball and the way we danced.
Present: Katherina, William, Anna, Caterine
Warm up: Almains?
We spent the greater part of the class alternating between dancing all the way through Pavaniglia (one couple at a time), and practicing some easier dance (La Figlia de Guglielmino, Pungente Dardo, Ginevra, Amoroso).
Present: Anna, William, Caterine, Katherina
Warm up: Earl of Essex Measure, Old Alman, Black Almain.
Present: Anna, William, Caterine, Ludwig, Katherina
Warm-up: Ginevra, Amoroso (including an improvised 3-person variant)
Revision of all mutanze learned so far:
Present: Anna, William, Caterine, Katherina
Warmup: Amoroso, La Figlia de Guglielmino
Revision of
Skimmed through the third and fifth mutanze. Danced the whole thing through several times, including all verses.
NOTE: we need a more detailed revision of the 5th mutanza, the separating verse, and the final verse.
Present: William, Anna, Caterine, Katherina
Warmup: Figlia de Guglielmino, Chiara Stella
New material (for at least some present)
Katherina practiced her current interpretation of the man's third mutanza, which she'll teach next time.
Revision:
Present: Caterine, William, Katherina
Warmup: Rostiboli Gioioso for three
We had Canario scheduled for this session, but did Pavaniglia instead, because that's what I had prepared.
Revision
New Material (for this year, anyway)
Present: Caterine, William, Ludwig (Canary only), Katherina
Warmup: Black Almain
Revision
New Material (for this year, anyway)
Present: William, Ludwig, Katherina
Warmup: Rostiboli Gioioso for three (with two men and one woman, for a change)
Revision
New Material
Present: William, Anna, Katherina
Warm-up: Rostiboli Gioioso for three
Learned the whole of the man's 4th mutanza, on both sides (verses 11 and 12). Katherina practiced the woman's 4th mutanza, but didn't teach it.
Our first advanced-dancing session for the summer!
Present: Katherina, Anna, William, Caterine
Warm up: Pungente Dardo, Amoroso
Revision
Regular dance classes have finished for the year, and will re-start in February, but we're still dancing!
Our last class of 2010, and we have a lovely session, with both familiar faces and some new ones. Please come back next year!
We got through:
(all 16th century French branles, from the manual "Orchesography")
(all balli from 15th century Italian manuscripts)
(a variation on the galliard, in which the woman leaps, and the man spins her, while helping her to leap even higher)
