Author Archives: Heather

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 September 13 … Continue reading →

  Social dance and early Australian settlement: An historical examination of the role of social dance for convicts and the ‘lower orders’ in the period between 1788 and 1840. Abstract One of the aims of historical research is to provide … Continue reading →

Poussette for three couples A figure of progression.  In bars 1-4 couples 1 and 2 change places.  In bars 5-8 couples 1 and 3 change places, leaving couple 2 in first place, couple 3 in the middle and couple 1 at the foot. All three … Continue reading →

Dances in Samford, Brisbane 2018 Friday nights 7.30 – 9.30pm,  Farmers Hall, Samford, QLD 4520 26th January (Australia Day Dance) 9th  Feb, 9th  March, 13th  April Special classes prior to the ball  7th, 14th, 28th September & 5th October, October … Continue reading →

This video captures the essence of dance as experienced in the final of three workshops conducted at Queensland University of Technology in September 2017.  The research brought together dance students and members of community folk dancers in Brisbane to examine … Continue reading →

I have recently completed a doctorate at the Queensland University of Technology researching convict culture in the early colony from 1788 to 1840.  The main focus concentrated on social dance with the research uncovering a surprising amount of information proving … Continue reading →

On display: 25 August 2018 – 18 November 2018.  Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00am – 4.00pm Redcliffe Museum – 75 Anzac Avenue, Redcliffe When we think of convicts, we don’t tend to think of music and dance. But dance was an integral part of everyday life … Continue reading →

When we think of convicts, we don’t tend to think of music and dance. But dance was an integral part of everyday life and one of the most popular forms of recreation in the early colony. Convicts danced to escape … Continue reading →

  The History of Dance and Music in Australia 1788 -1840  provides an unique insight into the social and cultural life of people in the early European colony, at all levels of society.  It comprises a collection of dance instructions … Continue reading →