Author: Fiona

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“Her Musick Book” – Sydney Sat 31 October 5pm

Evergreen Ensemble
NSW & VIC TOUR
Shane Lestideau & Meredith Beardmore

Presentation and Concert by the wonderful baroque violinist Shane Lestideau, with flautist Meridith Beardmore, on a fascinating music book which originated in 18th century Scotland, was discovered in Australia last century, to be realised in performance in 2026!
See https://www.evergreen-ensemble.com/concerts for more information on the tour

Sydney presentation at Glebe Town Hall on Saturday 31st October 5pm – 7.30pm
Sydney bookings at https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1643268

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Summer Course 2027: 6-8 January

Detail-of-French-baroque-dance-notation

Advance notice that the Early Dance Consort 2027 Summer Course in Early Dance will be held from Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 January, during the daytime, at Evolution PC studios (air-conditioned). Details in preparation….

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Canberra Spring Baroque Dance Workshop October 2026

Friday 2 October 6:30pm – Sunday 4 October, 4:30pm, 2026
All Saints Anglican Church, Ainslie ACT

Engraving circa 1700 of young lady learning to dance. Image for Spring Weekend of Baroque Dance, 2nd to 4th October 2026, Ainslie ACT, presented by Fiona Garlick & John Barnard of The Early Dance Consort, for Historic Dance Delights (Canberra)

Fiona & John will lead a weekend of early 18th Century dance from the court of Louis XIV. The weekend will include introductory sessions on technique, steps, sequences and style, through to more advanced sessions on original choreographies from the era of the “Sun King”. The sessions are designed to suit both newcomers to baroque dance and those with some experience. This is a great opportunity to learn about the character, rhythms and steps of such dances as the Bourree, Gavotte, Minuet, Sarabande and Gigue so familiar from the classical music repertoire. And to sample the dances which formed the basis of classical ballet technique. No experience or partner required.

For more details and bookings go to:
https://events.humanitix.com/a-spring-baroque-dance-weekend

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New Venue and Day for Evening Classes

Evening Clases in Court Dance Term 4, 2026 NEW VENUE Crows Nest/St Leonards with Renaissance couple dancing

Term 3 Classes will now be held on Monday evenings from 6pm, in a new venue at Evolution PC Studios in St Leonards/Crows Nest. Please see Schedule and Class Brochure for full details. Thank you to all our dedicated students ready to adjust to a new time and place after so many years at the hall in North Sydney.

New students are most welcome – no previous experience or partner required. Just email or sms to let us know you’re coming, providing name and contact details.

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Evening Classes in Court Dance 2026

If you’ve ever thought you’d like to try something that’s quite different, why not try dancing from an age when elegance and ease were prized over effort and exaggeration? Court dances provide exercise for mind as well as body, in good company, and accompanied by beautiful music of centuries past. What more could you wish for?

Term 1 classes in Court dance commence on Thursday February 5 in North Sydney. The term will run for 9 weeks until April 2, right before the Easter long weekend.

See https://www.earlydanceconsort.com.au/classes/schedule.htm for full details. Please get in touch if you’d like to join in or have any queries. The first class of each term is free to try, and no previous experience or partner is required. Hope to see you there!

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Summer course – thank you

Thanks to the wonderful people who joined us from near and far for the Summer Course in early January. Despite something of a heatwave, we worked hard and completed a number of lively, elegant and sociable dances from the Baroque repertoire, and enjoyed the great company of our fellow baroque aficionados (it is a special niche). Well done to all!

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Christmas Party CANCELLED

With sincere apologies, we must CANCEL the EDC Christmas Party (Thursday Dec 18) due to COVID-19.
We wish everyone good health and cheer over the festive summer holiday and a peaceful 2026, when we hope to catch up again.
With our very best wishes, and thanks for your interest in sharing our choreographic niche,
Fiona & John.

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Christmas-End-of-Year Party 18 December

An invitation to current, past and prospective students & friends:

The 2025 EDC Christmas Party will be held on
Thursday 18th December, 6.30pm – 9.00pm,
at the usual venue: 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney.
Please come and join us for a little festive dancing, a look at some of the dances we’ve been learning this year, and to catch up with dear friends
We welcome contributions for the table (simple finger food ready to eat, or something non-alcoholic to drink – cups, plates &c provided).

Hope you and your dance shoes can make it.
Warm wishes for Christmas, New Year, Summer Holidays (should you be so lucky),
and for the New Year ‘26.
Fiona & John

RSVP by email or SMS