JAFA 2021

JAFA will be happening on 16-18 April, 2021. 

Please purchase tickets via this form.

If you have tickets purchased in 2019, they are recognised for this event. You do not need to register again.

Friday's limited attendance events will now be held in Yass, NSW.

Saturday & Sunday will be at the Yarralumla Woolshed, ACT.

Please see email notices to participants at the bottom of this page.

Revel in the dance, music, fashion and games of our past!

Novices and experienced dancers welcome. Regency, Victorian or smart dress welcome. A great dance floor in a heritage venue. And free parking all weekend for everyone!

On SATURDAY enjoy daytime dance workshops, complimentary lunch, a Grand 7-midnight Ball with opening march, quadrilles, longways sets, couples dances & supper.

On SUNDAY enjoy morning tea, dance class, entertainments, costumed parade & picnic lunch with period lawn & table games, and fun-filled 2-6pm Afternoon Tea Dance with 24 period dance games!

Fine music by the Earthly Delights players led by the fabulous pianist Sally Taylor. Expert dance leading by dance historian Dr John Gardiner-Garden & friends. All weekend sale of books, period patterns, fabric, clothing & hats and exhibitions of antique hats and tools.

Featuring beautiful 19th century Australian music and dance and part of Canberra and Region Heritage Festival.

Inquiries to John (02) 6108 2834 or 0409817623

Book also for Friday afternoon viewing of 19th century dance prints, manuals, music and ball cards at John & Aylwen’s home Yass home and visiting a near by historic homestead where balls were held.  Free to ticket holders, but you must book a place.

Costumes will be available for hire in Canberra during the first week of April. If you are traveling from interstate we encourage you to source your outfits locally.

FOR FESTIVAL PROGRAM, 2 BALL PROGAMS and FLYER read on below or go to our Upcoming page.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

 

FRIDAY at the Douro estate, Yass.

1:45-3:00pm viewing of and talk on 19th century Australian dance materials at

John & Aylwen’s new home at 6 Glover Drive

3:00-5:00pm tour of and talk on the Old Douro homestead offered by owners

Dr Rick Williams & Ms Judy Brooker at 5 Glover Drive.

 

SATURDAY at the Yarralumla Woolshed, Canberra.

(9:30-10:30am costume hire at venue)

10:30am morning tea

11am-1pm dance class

1-2pm roast-roll lunch

2-4pm dance class

4-6:30pm free time to find dinner and dress

7-till-midnight  GRAND BALL  (see program over)

 

SUNDAY at the Yarralumla Woolshed, Canberra.

10am morning tea,

10:30-12:30 dance class

12:30-2pm costume parade, period games, & bring-your-own picnic

2-6pm AFTERNOON TEA DANCE (see program over)

(6-7pm pack-up and costume return)

DANCE & MUSIC PROGRAMS

MUSIC on both days offered by Sally Taylor (piano), Peter Taylor (guitar), Sarah Bull (clarinet and penny whistle), Ian Bull (mandolin, guitar and banjo), Cathleen Hutchinson (violin) and John Gardiner-Garden (flute, pipes and hurdy gurdy).

An * denotes dances the four dances on the weekend that are just for those who have prepared. All the other dances are called or lead - with guest caller named in bracket at end of dance entry, and when not named the dance leader is John Gardiner-Garden, who is also the MC.

For full information on the dances and music in the programs below see my relevant books. In brackets after the dance title is a reference to the book in which I present the dance- Roman numerals refer to the volume of my Dancing through the Ages published late 2020, letters DD refer to my Dance Delights published 2020, LD refer to my Lost Dances of Earthly Delights published 2005. 

 

The Australian sources cited are:

E.J. [Edward James] Wivell, The ballroom companion, Adelaide, c.1874-1882,

Roberts, Manual of fashionable dances, Melbourne, 1875 (and later editions),

Mrs Charles Read, Australian ballroom guide, Sydney, 1876 (and later editions),

J.H. Christison, A manual of dancing and etiquette, Maitland, 1882,

 R. Lovenberry, The Australian M.C. or dancers enquire within, Brisbane, 1884,

E.J. [Edmund Jerome] Wivell, Six Square Dances, Adelaide, 1891, and Seven Square Dances, Adelaide, c.1892.

___________

SATURDAY BALL  17th April 2021 7pm to midnight.

 

1st BRACKET

*Uncalled Menuet de la Cour (VI), Gardel’s dance to Grétry’s tune.

Version of dance is in Read Sydney 1876 and Lovenberry 1884.

Circassian circle (3) to 'My love she’s but a Lassie yet' (IX).

A progressive form of the 1st figure of the 'Caledonians', a quadrille in all extant Australian sources.

The MOSCOVIAN (VII) to suite in Chivers 1822 Modern Dancing master.

A cognate 'Moscovian Waltz Quadrilles' is in Lovenberry, Bris. 1884.

Irish Washerwoman (VI) to namesake tune.

Music in Laing ms, from early 19th century Tasmania (Guest caller David Wanless).

 

2nd BRACKET

Galopade (3)-Pollocks original (VIII) to 'William Tell' overture.

The Galopade is in most Australian manuals, this figured one is from England c.1830, music from Europe.

Circassian (2)-Pollock no.3 (VIII).

Set to 'National Waltz’ and 'Highland Laddie' in Laing ms from early 19th century Tasmania.

 QUADRILLE FRANCAIS (2c) to Mundy's First Set (VIII).

Dance in most Australian manuals to music composed in Tasmania in 1840s. (Caller David Wanless).

Galopade Country Dance (3) to 'Come dance along with me…' song (IX).

The tune is as in ‘The Pasha Quadrille’ published and played in Sydney by Winterbottom's band.

 

3rd BRACKET

*Display of a Grand Polka medley to LD Country 7 tune played x2, x3, x3 then 1st x1 again (DD).

Basic dance described in all early Australian manuals. These are variants by JGG set to music by JGG.

The Winifred- the Baden Berlin Bohemian to Milbourne's New Kreuz Polka Winifred (DD).

Elements in most Australian manuals. Music published in Adelaide c.1894.

PRINCE IMPERIAL QUADRILLE (IX) to namesake score.

Dance in virtually all extant 19th century Australian dance manuals. (Guest caller Katherine Tammaro).

Soldiers Joy to namesake tune (VIII)

Music in Laing ms, Tasmania

 

4th BRACKET

*Display of a Varsovienna medley to Abadie's 'Mexico' (Mexico Varsovienna medley in DD) (IX).

Basic dance in Read 1876, Christison 1882, Lovenberry 1884, variations by JGG, music Paris 1854.

Polka Mazurka - to Roeckel's 'Australian Polka Mazurka' (IX).

Dance in all Australian sources, music published in Sydney c.1863 (Uncalled).

LANCERS FOR 16 (2) and (3) to ‘Pirates of Penzance Lancers (IX and X).

The Sixteen Lancers' in Wivell Junior Adel. 1891.

Highland Reel to 'The Highland Laddie' (IX)

Dance in Roberts's Melb. 1875 and Lovenberry Brisbane 1884. (Guest caller Katherine Tammaro).

 

5th BRACKET

Polka Piquee and Polka Russe (1) & (2) to ‘Picnic polka’ (X).

Survives in Australia as 'Princess Polka', offered music composed & published in Sydney in 1857.

The Triumph to namesake tune (VII).

Dance in Wivell Sen., Adel. 1874-82 and on program in Christison's Maitland 1882. (Caller Ceri Teather).

QUADRILLE FRANCAIS (2e) to Rose Bay Quadrille (IX).

The dance found in all Australian sources, musical suite composed & published in Sydney in 1857.

Circassian Circle (4) Lovenberry’s No.6 to 'Keelrow' (X).

Dance in Lovenberry Brisbane 1884.

 

6th BRACKET

*Display of the New Iolanthe Schottische medley to Royle's Iola suite (DD).

The basic schottische was in most Australian manuals, these variants are by JGG to music from London.

Schottische and Highland Schottische to Iolanthe music (IX).

Dance described in most early Australian manuals. (Guest caller Katherine Tammaro).

LES VARIETES PARISIENNES (IX) to namesake score.

Varieties Parisienne' in Roberts Melb. 1875 and 'La Parisienne' in Lovenberry Brisb. 1884.

Sir Roger de Coverley (VII) to JGG's Northern Stars Southern Skies (Town 16) set.  

Dance in most 19th century Australian manuals, music slip jigs by JGG.

___________

SUNDAY AFTERNOON TEA DANC  18th April 2021  2:00 to 6:00pm

(wishing a happy birthday to JAFA organiser Aylwen!)

 

1st BRACKET

Perigordine (VI), a ‘cut-in’ jig to Jane Austen music collection tune.

There are many early Australia references free couples jigs like this one, music in Jane Austen's hand.

Circassian Circle (4) Lovenberry’s No.9  to the ‘Blind Cupid’ waltz set (LD Village 10) (X).  

Dance in Lovenberry Brisbane 1884.

QUADRILLE FRANCAIS (2e) (IX) to d'Albert's Pasha Quadrille.

Dance found in all Australian sources, music published in Sydney in 1851.

Country Bumpkin (1) (VI) to ‘Campbell's jig’ and 'Highland Laddie.

Annabella Boswell writes in her diary of enjoying the dance at an after-dinner party at Lake Innes House (near Newcastle) in 1843. (Guest caller Katherine Tammaro).

 

2nd BRACKET

Galop (4) /Rhein Galop / Danish Waltz / Manchester to characteristic tune (X).

Dance in most 19th century Australian manuals, music as still played today for Bush dancing.

Cotillon l’Eventail to JGG's ‘Whirl of Memories’ set (Court 16) (X).

Dance in Lovenberry Brisbane 1884, music waltzes by JGG.

QUADRILLE DES DAMES to Paris published sheet music (IX)

Dance in Lovenberry Brisbane 1884.

Nine-pin Quadrille to JGG's Ashby’s Jig set (LD Spring 2) (IX).

Versions of dance collected in Australia, set to a JGG tune set (Guest caller Katherine Tammaro).

 

3rd BRACKET

Military Schottische / Pas de Quatre / Barn Dance (X).

Became the Barn dance that was ubiquitous in 20th cent. Australia.

The Spanish Waltz to 'Sweet bunch of Daisies' in the Kalgoolie suite. Dance in most 19th century Australian manuals, music popular song from the Australia c.1892 published Kalgoolie suite.

THE ALBERT's (2) to 'Kendall's The Kalgoorlie' suite (X). Dance in Christison Maitland 1882, Lovenberry Brisbane 1884 and Wivell Junior Adel. 1891and music published in Australia in 1892.

Dance de Florence / Dashing White Sergeant (X) to 'The Dashing White Sergeant'.

The 'Dance d Florence' published in Dundee 1890 may represent early version of 20th century Bush & Schottisch 'Dashing White Sergeant' (Guest caller David Wanless).

 

4th BRACKET

Waratah Polka Mazurka (X/DD) to Daphne's namesake suite.

  Basic dance is in most 19th cent. Australian manuals, the music was published in Sydney in the 1890s.

QUADRILLE DE JEAN GILLES (X) to d'Albert's ‘Sydney Exhibition Quadrille’ suite.   

Dance in Lovenberry Brisbane 1884, music published in London but 'dedicated to Ladies of NSW'.

Congo Minuet (VI) to ‘De’il among the Tailors’.

Dance appears in ‘T.B.’ manuscript found in NZ and tune in Laing manuscript found in Tasmania.

 

5th BRACKET

All these dance games have entries for all in DTTA Volume X and most of the chosen figures appear in Roberts Melb. 1876—Cotillon with mixing  ('The meeting', 'The exchange', 'The Pursuit', 'The Serpent', 'The Circles', 'The Winding Alley'); Cotillon medley with circles and columns ('The Reunion', 'The Labyrinth', 'The Bridge', 'The Zig-zag', 'The Endless chain'); The Cushion Dance(3) / Der Polstertanz; Cotillon medley with fans (‘The Fan / The Kangaroo' to reprise of Picnic Polka set); Cotillon medley with choice (‘Basket, Ring, Flower’, ’Flower and Animals’ ‘Blind Choice’); Cotillon medley with cards; Cotillon medley with scarves (2) ('The snake' and 'The Lasso', set to music by JGG in LD Country 8 that was dedicated to Aylwen 19 years ago, with guest caller Katarina Hall); Cotillon medley with scarves (1) (including the 'flying handkerchieves'); Cotillon medley with blindfolds (‘Le Colin-Maillard, ‘Blindman’s buff’, ‘The Weak leading the Blind’);

 

FINALE

Charge of the Light Brigade (X) to Godfrey's 'The Wind Up Galop'.

Dance is American version of French Les Bras Enlacé, music from London—and finally no direct Australian link!

Here is the current flyer/poster to share with family and friends:

Emails sent to Participants

JAFA UPDATE 12 April 2021

Dear JAFA2021 participants

We forgot to mention in the last email that the program for the balls on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon have been posted up both at htttp://www.earthlydelights/upcoming and http://www.earthlydelights.com.au/home/jafa - just scroll to the bottom of either page. All the key dances will be previewed in the workshops.

We should also have explained that besides offering lunch on the Saturday and a midway snack during both balls, we will be offering small snacks at morning tea each day. Contingencies restrict us however to offering a range of individually pre-packed snacks (muesli bars, biscuits, chocolates etc), so when we suggested you might pack in your day bag some snacks of your own, we meant something healthy and unprocessed like a piece of fruit or sandwich.

We have allowed a 4-7pm break on Saturday so those wanting to find a hot dinner in a nearby suburb or to get changed at their accommodation can do so. If you need transport to the nearby Curtin shops or the fast food outlets on the Cotter Road etc or to anywhere else we can put a call out for lifts at the end of the last workshop. The Woolshed itself will be open and attended during the break (so you can bring food back to the hall if you like) and we'll look forward to seeing all gathering back between 6:30 and 7pm.

For those on the Friday afternoon excursion to Duoro Estate tea & coffee will be available but to help with logistics please bring your own thermos or mug.

Till soon!

John

PS. For those who purchased their tickets after the last message was sent please see below:

JAFA UPDATE 10 April 2021

Just a few days now and we'll all be together revelling in 19th century dance, music and costume... and, hurray, the long term weather forecast is for no rain on the weekend of 16-18 April.

Here are a few quick reminders and an extra request.

1) Don't forget to bring a refillable water bottle and thermos (named) so you can take cold and hot drinks from our dispensers whenever you want them with minimum intervention of helpers.

2) Don't forget that because of Covid-safe requirements and the lower ticket price this year our catering is limited to a hot roast (or other) roll on Saturday lunch and some individually-wrapped snacks midway through the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon dance, it being expected that you will find your own dinner during the 4-7pm break on Saturday and bring your own lunch for the picnic on Sunday. You may also want to bring a few additional weekend snacks in your personal bag.

3) We will have our remaining costumes for hire on Saturday morning 9.30-10.30. It is a 19th Century dance weekend so feel free to choose to wear any thing from those 100 years and if you don't have an outfit, smart casual is fine.

4) The woolshed floor is great for dancing but we recommend you avoid wearing high heel sandals/shoes or barefeet.

5) The extra request- if you are arriving by car and can bring a portable chair or camping stool that you can leave outside the woolshed each day, please do so, so that when, as part of our Covid safe plan, we invite people to take a refreshment break outside you will have the seat of your choice. Don't worry if you are not in a position to bring such a stool, we'll supply some. We are supplying the chairs for inside and don't need or want more there. It's just that some extras for outside might be helpful. We can lock them in the woolshed over Saturday night.

6) If anyone needs a lift to the Friday event in Yass please let us know as a few have offered seats in their cars. The event is booked out, but if you have booked for Friday and are no longer able to attend, please let us know.

Of course, as previously advised, if your home becomes designated a covid hotspot or you are unwell with any covid-like symptoms it is requested that you not attend... but to all our relief we seem at the moment fabulously clear of any impediments to a wonderful weekend of dance, music and costume.

Till soon!

John & Aylwen Gardiner-Garden