Category Archives: Dance

Woolmers Estate: July – September 2022

Dancing in Fetters: the culture of convict dance exhibition is on show in the the Nigel Peck Long Gallery and the Frances Mary Archer Gallery. 21st July to 11th September The “Dancing in Fetters” exhibition provides an understanding of an … Continue reading

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Convict Culture Week on Norfolk Island

19 May 2023 – 27 May 2023 Celebrating Maconochie’s Frolic For one day in 1840 the convicts on Norfolk Island were encouraged to dance, sing and play.  On 25 May they celebrated the birthday of the young Queen Victoria in … Continue reading

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Ross, Tasmania: April – June 2022

Venue Two: Museum at the Tasmanian Wool Centre, Ross 8 April – 26 June 202248 Church Street, Ross, TAS 7209. View Map Dancing in Fetters brings convict dancing to the Tasmanian Midlands. Venue two in our national tour: the Museum … Continue reading

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Brisbane: Nov 2021 – March 2022

Commissariat Store Museum 26 November 2021 – 8 March 2022William Street, Brisbane The first venue in the national tour of Dancing in Fetters: the culture of convict dance was the Commissariat Store Museum in the heart of Brisbane. The Commissariat … Continue reading

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Regency Dance Weekend 2022

8 – 9 October 2022Dayboro, Queensland Thank you to everyone who attended our weekend! Photographs are available from David de Groot Photography. Visit Festival Photographs to see the complete gallery and place an order. Phillip’s Dog presents a weekend of … Continue reading

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Van Dieman’s Bells

The dance and music for Van Dieman’s Bells [sic] was published in London in 1825. This is a very special dance – the  first English dance created in recognition of Van Diemen’s Land (modern day Tasmania). It may have celebrated … Continue reading

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Dancing in Fetters – the musical

A select gallery from our Dancing in Fetters musical at the Royal Historical Society of Queensland’s Commissariat Store Museum. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia funding. Exhibition partners include Abbey Museum of Art and … Continue reading

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Edward Elliott

Irish Gentleman, Dancing Master, Australian Convict Oh! to see him dance … you would go any distance or spend any time; it was delightful, sir – aye, I say delightful! Lenihan, M. (1867). Reminiscences of a Journalist Limerick Reporter and … Continue reading

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Education pack

The Dancing In Fetters: the culture of convict dance education pack has been developed for use in museums which are hosting the touring exhibition and for participating primary schools.  It is funded by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia programme. … Continue reading

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Tour dates

Dancing in Fetters: the culture of convict dance is a museum exhibition presenting the lost heritage of convict dance and music. It re-traces the origins of this largely unknown aspect of life in the early penal colony based on the … Continue reading

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