Author Archives: Heather

  James Cook was born on 27 October 1728 at Marton-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire.  His father, also named James, came from Ednam in Scotland and had travelled south to find work as a farm labourer.  He met and married Grace (nee Pace) … Continue reading →

Our video presentation for the SteppingOn Conference held at Cecil Sharp House, London in conjunction with The Instep Research Team and The Historical Dance Society. 16-17 November, 2019 Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke is the Instep Research Team’s representative in Australia.

Music by Philip’s Dog: Roland Clarke (violin), Katie Lawton (violin), Rebecca Wright (Cello), Donald McKay (bodran). Recorded by Daniel Nelson, Amniote Audio & Lisa Meier, Harmonix Productions at SAE Studios, Brisbane. Mixed and Mastered by Daniel Nelson, Amniote Audio. Country … Continue reading →

4 Powerful Benefits Of Studying History A blog by Mary Paterson Studying history is more than facts and figures. It is understanding where we have come from, acknowledging the cultural drivers that have brought us to today, and giving us … Continue reading →

Overview Gentlemen Ladies Shoes Making a costume Buying a costume Hiring a costume About the Ball Buy a ticket Overview Jane Austen was writing her novels at the time Australia was being colonised, so the clothes people wore and the … Continue reading →

 Music by Phillip’s Dog: Roland Clarke (violin)   South Sea Straight and Skillern’s A Collection of Two Hundred & Four Favourite Country Dances for 1775 Country dance: Duple minor longways. A1 1-4 All set twice to partner 5-6 Change places … Continue reading →

Music by Philip’s Dog: Roland Clarke (violin) Country dance: Triple minor longways. A1 1-4 1st couple cast into 2nd place, 2nd couple moves up 5-8 1st man circles left with  2nd couple, whilst 1st lady circles left with  3rd couple … Continue reading →

… this is the largest and most significant body of settler musical work to survive from Australia before the 1840s. The quadrilles are … competently crafted, melodically original and textually varied.   Most of them are tonally and chromatically rather more … Continue reading →

This is a list of colonial Police Incidents where dancing was mentioned.  It covers the period from 1803, when the first newspaper was printed, through to 1840. Dancing was not illegal, but the circumstances surrounding it lead to it being … Continue reading →

January 26 Australia Day Bush Dance February 8 – Community Folk Dance March 8 – Celtic Ceili April 12 – Barn Dance May 10 National Heritage Festival Dance June 14 – Dances from Poldark TV series August 9 – Barn … Continue reading →