Performance at the Winter Garden

The New York Baroque Dance Company will perform at the World Financial Center, the Winter Garden in New York on February 9, 2006 at 12:30 pm. The performance, titled “Courting an English Lady Proper and Improper”, will include dancers Caroline Copland, Tim Wilson, Seth Williams, Seth Davis, Jason Melms, and Sarah Edgar. The performance will also include Judson Griffin on violin and Paul Shipper on lute, recorder and voice.

In 18th century England, dance was instrumental to winning the heart of a lady. Courting an English Lady reveals the secret code between the sexes in ballroom and stage dances. Performing dramatic, comedic and country dances, costumed dancers accompanied by live music on period instruments, will demonstrate the proper and improper ways to woo a winsome heart. The audience will be taught a country dance to The Old Bachelor by Henry Purcell.

The performance is free to the general public. The World Financial Center is located in Lower Manhattan's Battery Park City. The World Financial Center is bordered by West Street, the Hudson River, Vesey and Liberty Streets.

Program follows:

Courting an English Lady, Proper and Improper

The New York Baroque Dance Company
Catherine Turocy, Artistic Director
Dancers: Caroline Copeland, Sarah Edgar, Seth Davis,
Jason Melms, Seth Williams, Timothy Wilson
Musicians: Judson Griffin, violin and Paul Shipper,
voice, recorder, lute
PROGRAM:

I. Introduction

II. A Chacone by Mr. Isaac (or "How to be an English Lady")
danced and reconstructed by Sarah Edgar from "An Essay for the Improvement of Dancing" by E. Pemberton, London, 1711
music: Anonymous

III. A Chaconne from Amadis (or "How to be an English Gentleman)
danced and reconstructed by Seth Williams from a Collection of Dances from the Stage choreographed by Anthony L'Abee and published
in London circa 1725
music by Jean Baptiste Lully

IV. An Ecchoe by Mr. Groscort (or " Battleground of Courtship")
danced by Sarah Edgar, Timothy Wilson and Jason Melms
reconstructed by Sarah Edgar from "An Essay for the Improvement of
Dancing" by E, Pemberton, London, 1711
music: Anonymous

V. An Entertainment of Dancing from the Island Princess (or "Courtship Progresses)
danced by Caroline Copeland and Seth Williams and reconstructed by Seth Williams from Kellom Tomlinson's personal workbook (London dancing master first half of the 18th century)
music: Henry Purcell

VI. A Song and Sung Dance (or "Reflections on Love and Beauty)
danced and choreographed by Caroline Copeland
music by Henry Purcell

VII. Sarabande for Two Men (or "If Love Fails, Friendship Prevails)
danced by Seth Davis and Seth Williams and reconstructed by Seth Williams from Kellom Tomlinson's personal workbook
music: Jean Baptiste Lully

VIII. Sprightly Country Dances (or "The Origins of the Mixer" as seen through "The Old Batchelor" and "Short and Sweet")
danced by the Company and reconstructed by Timothy Wilson from John Playford's Collection of Country Dances published, updated and and republished in London since the 1600's.
music by Henry Purcell.
IX. Country Dance Lesson for the General Public followed by a Question and Answer period

Costume design: Marie Anne Chiment
website: www.nybaroquedance.org