Author Archives: Heather
Jane Austen Ball – 2023 National Folk Festival
Stepping into the light, English Country Dancing emerges in all its glory as a living tradition with dances from Playford to the Present. Wear your finest regency outfit, Bridgerton best, or anything you fancy and celebrate this latest chapter in … Continue reading
April School Holiday Activity
Why was dance so important to the Convicts?What kind of dances did they do? And what did they wear? Come find out during the April school holidays. Dress up and dance like the convicts. At the Rocks Discovery Museum.
Posted in Dance, History, music
Tagged australian culture, australian history, convict culture, convict research, convicts, history, transportation
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Phillip’s Dog
Phillip’s Dog performs captivating music for historical and folk dances with enthusiasm and panache. Phillip’s Dog is a unique ensemble, specialising in the dance music of early colonial Australia. However, the repertoire extends well beyond this period to include mediaeval … Continue reading
A Convict Quadrille – National Heritage Festival
Apr 28, 2023, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM A special dance for the Australian Heritage FestivalHills District Community Centre, 291 Dawson Parade, Arana Hills, QLD 4520. Tickets $4.00 online or at the door. The Story of John Bushell In 1831, … Continue reading
Jane Austen Ball 2022
Photos from our Jane Austen/Australian Regency Ball 8 October 2022 Dayboro Community Hall, Dayboro, Queensland Photographs by David de Groot Photography. Visit Festival Photographs to see the complete gallery and place an order.
Posted in Dance
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Sarah Lawson
From convict maid to commandant’s wife. “beautiful and extremely vivacious…” [1] Sarah Leadbeater was born on 22 February, 1783. At the age of 16, she was convicted at the Lancaster quarter sessions for stealing “wearing apparel” and sentenced to seven … Continue reading
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Instep Research Team
The Instep Research Team is the peak organisation based in UK for research, collaboration, and encouragement of clog and step dance traditions. They have inspiring members who aim to make these traditions vibrant! Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke is the Australian … Continue reading
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Interview on ABC Nightlife
Radio interview on ABC Nightlife 28/06/2022In a discussion with presenter Suzanne Hill, Curator Dr Heather Clarke discusses the career of convict musician Jeremiah Byrne who played the flageolet in the ‘hop shops’ (dance halls) in the disreputable Rocks area of … Continue reading
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Fremantle Prison: Sept 2023 – Jan 2024
Fremantle Prison will host the Dancing in Fetters exhibition from 16 September 2023 – 28 January 2024. Step back in time and immerse yourself in the mesmerizing world of convict dance and music. Fremantle Prison proudly presents an exhibition curated … Continue reading
