Beware - these mazurkas are not the easiest dances on this site! There are simple social dances that can be done in mazurka time (e.g. 'Rejoice and Be Merry' in the Christmas Carol Dance book) and many folk traditions have dances with some simple foot work and figures to satisfy the rhythm, but the couples dance sequences I have put together are intended for those who want to experience a rich, wide and exhilarating range of possibilities. For even greater exhilaration you may want to string a few sequences together. All but the last Mazurka here offered are 32 bar sequences which start with weight on inside foot (the M's r.f and W's l.f.) and with hands taking open/ballroom hold, so, if you like, all but the last dance can be put back-to-back in a free-style non-progressive routine. You can also add into such an inside foot open hold combination 'The Boots and Blades Mazurka' (Autumn 14 from the Lost Dances of Earthly Delights) and 'The Cavalier's Mazurka' (Winter 14 from the Lost Dances of Earthly Delights). The last mazurka here offered, the 'Rolling Tour', is also a 32 bar sequence but as it starts with both dancers having weights on the same foot (l.f.) and holding same-hand-in-same hand (a promenade hold), dancing this sequence back-to-back with the other sequences offered is not straight forward. Accordingly, unless you know some other 32 bar l.f. free starting cross hold with which to combine it or are happy to dance it over and over as a couple, it may be best used as a progressive social dance.

 

Our apologies for the temporary removal of the dance instructions from this page. The instructions that were on this page were only sketchy working editions of dances for which you can now find corrected versions, with full historical notes and accompanying music, in the work The Lost Dances of Earthly Delights Volume 2. Although we hope to get around to putting the up-dated versions back up on the web it may not be for some time and we hope you will take the opportunity that now presents to acquire the definte version of these dances in the beautiful hard copy book and 4 CD set that is now available. Please go to http://www.earthlydelights.com.au/cds2.htm for more information, order form and contents summary.