Tag Archives: convict culture

National Folklore Conference 2024

National Folklore Conference Join Dr Heather Clarke at the National Folklore Conference for a presentation on the success of the national tour of the Dancing in Fetters exhibition. When: Thursday 28th MarchTime: 1:30 – 4:30pmWhere: Epic, Canberra For more information … Continue reading

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Curator’s talk

Join Curator’s Heather Clarke and Eleanor Lambert as they walk you through our new exhibition Dancing in Fetters: The Culture of Convict Dance. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia funding. Exhibition partners include Abbey … Continue reading

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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.

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Irish convict musicians

Blind Loftus opened the proceeding by dancing a hornpipe, then came Irish jigs, reels, and songs, and when the boys got warm they were as wild as goats without a shepherd.  The spree was kept up for three days and … Continue reading

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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

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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

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Notable convicts

Read the stories of convicts notable for the music and dancing in their lives. Edward Elliot was a highly respected dancing master from Ireland whose life was turned around when he was accused of rebellion and sent as a convict … Continue reading

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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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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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