Newport Vintage Dance Week

The week starts on Monday with Registration opening at 3pm in the Winter Garden and will remain open until 5:30pm to close for dinner. Registration will also be open, for latecomers, during the evening Welcome Party. We urge everyone to arrive in time for dinner if possible.

Dance Week T-shirts and tote bags, as well as CDs of this year´s quadrille will also be available for sale at this time.

Nearby, starting at 2:30pm (please note the time), there will be a Costume Workshop on the construction Embellishments: Dress Trims. Katy Bishop will offer advice on trimming gowns in period styles. Please bring along your own materials, feathers, ribbons and trims, to match your gown if possible. There will be a small supply of trimmings available for those who cannot bring their own. This will be a hands-on seminar!

At 4:30pm, in the same location, there will be an Orientation session led by Barbara Pugliese. This is an informal, optional, open discussion to introduce newcomers to various aspects of the Dance Week and to answer questions. First timers to the dance week are encouraged to drop by for a few minutes (or longer) to hear about the events and customs of the week. Experienced participants are welcome to come by and hear about the new events for this year and to offer insights to first timers.

Monday ends with the Welcome Party, an informal dance to recorded music. This is a time to greet old friends, meet new people and be introduced to this year´s instructors and staff, and perhaps get a head start on this year´s new quadrille!

DANCE CLASSES

A hallmark of the Newport Vintage Dance Week is its combination of an excellent program of dance instruction with a relaxed environment. Classes are carefully designed to cover material ranging from basic steps and technique to more challenging choreographies and improvisation. Our teaching staff is gathered from around the world to provide a wide range of experience, research and expertise; the staff changes from year to year to provide variety.

Curriculum

Instruction during four classes periods each day will focus on the popular ballroom dances of the mid- and late- 19th Century (including waltz, polka, mazurka, galop, schottische, and quadrille) and of the ragtime era (tango, one-step and others). Some years the range is expanded to include dances of the early 19th century and 1920's. At all skill levels, emphasis is placed on dances that will be featured during the evening balls, so that dancers may immediately experience the joy and satisfaction of applying what they learn in the context of an exquisite social event. Most classes are 1 hour and 10 minutes long and are designed as tracks built around related material; continuity from day to day fosters cumulative benefit through the week.

Daily Schedule

The daily schedule offers four class periods per day, most at beginner and advanced skill levels, with 2 choices during each period (Afternoon class will not take place Tuesday to allow more time for the group tour, that class will take place Saturday morning). Those experiencing vintage dance for the first time, including people with other types of dance experience, are encouraged to take the “beginner” classes, as are those with only a little vintage dance experience. This will help you learn or review the basic vintage dance steps. Dancers familiar with basic vintage dance steps may want to try the more advanced classes. Dancers of any level may attend either afternoon specialty class. A warm-up class is presented each morning; we urge everyone to take the responsibility to be properly warmed up before classes.
 
Idy Codington will be leading warm-ups.

Quadrille Class and Specialty Classes

The mid-morning Quadrille class, taught by Barbara Pugliese, is provided for everyone, experienced dancers and newcomers alike, to learn this year´s quadrille: The Prince Imperial. Attendance is encouraged for all as this dance will be performed without calls at the Friday evening ball (though instructions will be printed almost legibly on the dance card).
 
The afternoon specialty classes offer a chance to expand one´s repertoire beyond the basics with a more specialized type of dance. The choices for 2007 include These classes are designed to be accessible to all skill levels.

EVENING EVENTS

Balls are at the heart of any vintage dance week, and 2007 Newport Vintage Dance Week continues its tradition of offering balls in some of the America´s most elegant and splendid ballrooms. This year there are formal balls set in three periods: the mid-nineteenth century (1860´s), late-nineteenth century (1890´s) and ragtime era (1910´s). There is also a Turn-of-the-Century Fancy Dress Ball, and a Formal Dinner. We will also be enjoying a silent film on Tuesday evening.

Moving Picture Evening

Join us at the “Newport Orpheum Cinema” as we present an entertaining silent film accompanied by an abundance of popcorn and cold drinks. No reservations required. Dress can be casual: modern or vintage.
 

1890´s Ball

Our 1890´s ball will be held at the Astors´ Beechwood mansion on Wednesday evening. This mansion, built in 1851, was purchased by William Backhouse Astor, Jr. in 1881, and was the destination of New York society and the famous four hundred during the Gilded Age. Richard Morris Hunt renovated the home to the Astors´ specifications. Mrs. Astor spent eight weeks here each year, and hosted lavish events including her annual Summer Ball, the high point of the summer season. The magnificent formal ballroom is splendidly decorated with elaborate woodwork, marble fireplaces, and a herringbone patterned wood floor that is meant to evoke the waves of the nearby ocean. As a modern convenience this hall is air-conditioned. Music is provided by the New River Dance Orchestra.

Ragtime Dinner Dance

On Thursday we celebrate the early twentieth century at the Ragtime Dinner Dance at Glen Manor House which is an easy 10 minute drive from the campus. The Manor is in a bucolic landscape, with lawns that slope down to the shore, and a lovely formal garden, perfect for strolling and visiting with friends. The evening opens with a cocktail hour at 6pm during which one can relax, stroll through the gardens and visit with friends. The evening continues with an exquisite formal dinner, served buffet style with the choice of several delectable entrees. After dinner rooms are cleared for dancing, our music will once again be provided by the incomparable New River Dance Orchestra. Glen Manor House has three lovely rooms for dancing, with large French doors open to the verandahs which let in evening breezes. During the intermission a dessert buffet will be available, and dancers can stroll in the moonlight.

Mid Nineteenth Century Ball

We will turn back the clock and visit the mid–19^th century, with an evening of dancing in Ochre Court Mansion in Newport. Live music will be provided by The New River Dance Orchestra. Whether you are reliving your memories of early Newport Dance Weeks or experiencing the splendour of Ochre Court´s opulent interiors and spacious piazza for the first time, it promises to be a night destined to transport us to another century.
 

Fancy Dress Ball

The final evening of the week is celebrated with our traditional fancy dress ball which is held on the Portsmouth Abbey School campus. The theme for this year´s ball is The Celestial Realm . The ball is designed to a a Turn- of the Century style Fancy-Dress Ball. During this ball costumes are amazingly creative from the simplest of masks to period style outfits. Recorded music from all the periods covered during the week is played at the event, there is also a chance to perform steps from your classes one last time.

NON-DANCING ACTIVITIES

Newport Mansions and Sightseeing

On Tuesday afternoon, we will offer an optional group tour of Chateau-sur-Mer, a landmark of High Victorian architecture, furniture, wallpapers, ceramics and stenciling. It was the most palatial residence in Newport from its completion in 1852 until the appearance of the Vanderbilt houses in the 1890s. It was the scene of memorable entertainments, from the “Fete Champetre,” an elaborate country picnic for over two thousand guests held in 1857, to the debutante ball for Miss Edith Wetmore in 1889. Chateau-sur-Mer was built as an Italianate-style villa for China trade merchant William Shepard Wetmore. During the 1870s, architect Richard Morris Hunt remodeled and redecorated the house in the Second Empire French style. As a result, Chateau-sur-Mer displays most of the major design trends of the last half of the 19th century. The famed Olmsted Brothers “improved” the grounds in 1915 for Senator George Peabody Wetmore.  Tour cost is $9 and is payable at registration.
 
If you would like to tour additional mansions, or enjoy a stroll along the Cliff Walk, you might consider arriving on Sunday or early Monday to view a mansion or two before check-in. Ten mansions are owned by the Newport Preservation Society and discounts can be obtained by purchasing multiple tickets at the first mansion you visit.
 
We also highly recommend a tour of the Astors’ Beechwood (not one of the Preservation Society mansions). The tour is led by members of the Astor family and their staff. We will be holding our 1890’s ball there Wednesday evening but will not have a tour then. From past experience we have found that it is wise to plan to see no more than two mansions in an afternoon. For further Newport information visit Newport Preservation Society Website or the Astors´ Beechwood Website or call the Newport Information Center in Newport at: (800) 976-5122.

AFTERNOON EVENTS

The afternoon teas, which take place most afternoons later in the week, are an opportunity for dancers to relax, meet and chat with others, and perhaps play a game of croquet. There is no set era or dress code for any of the teas, so vintage dress of any period is acceptable at any of them as well as modern dress, or even a period bathing costume if you wish to cool off at the Campus Beach.
 
The Swap & Sell is a perfect time to complete and outfit, plan an entire wardrobe, or divest yourself of excess baggage.
 
On Friday there will be a massage workshop led by Bonnie Carpenter for tired bodies and on Saturday morning we will be presenting a series of lectures.

Tuesday´s Mansion Tour

This year, we are offering a group tour on Tuesday afternoon, of Chateau Sur Mer on Bellevue Avenue in Newport. We have arranged a discount for those wanting to jpin us on the group tour. You may sign up at registration and the fee of $9.00 per person will be collected at that time.

Swap & Sell, Wednesday Afternoon

This is a very informal event as shopping is the main focus this afternoon. You might come straight from class, shop for an item to complete an ensemble for later in the week, or make the deal of a lifetime and lighten your luggage for the trip home.

Thursday´s Summer Garden Tea

Thursday´s Tea will be served in the Summer Garden, under the trees near the Manor House Gazebo. As with the other teas during the week this event has no set time period and is fairly informal. Come relax or chat with other Dance Week participants. Casual dress, modern or vintage, is appropriate.

Friday´s Afternoon Schedule

Massage Workshop

Friday´s schedule includes a massage Workshop led by Bonnie Carpenter in the Gymnasium. As one of last year ’s participants in the workshop said, “She gave my feet an extra day of dancing!” Bonnie has studied a variety of massage techniques, including those of the Far East. She has recently returned from studying in Thailand.

Friday´s Bathing Beauties Tea

Come sit and chat with other Dance Week participants, play a game of croquet, or visit the lovely stony beach adjacent to the lower field where tea is served. Casual dress, modern or vintage, or period bathing costume, is appropriate. In case of rain, tea will be moved indoors.

Saturday´s Activities

Saturday´s Lectures

After class Saturday morning we will enjoy a series of lectures in the Auditorium.
 

The Formal Tea

You may wish to save your most elegant or elaborate period outfit for the Formal Tea at the Summer Garden, to be held on Friday. This event is the most formal tea of the week (hence its name). Summer day wear of any period is welcome. Hats, parasols, and fans are especially useful for keeping cool while enjoying tea and games on the lawn. In case of rain, tea will be moved indoors.

Lobster Fest

New England Lobster Dinner will be served on Saturday Evening at 5:30pm. in the Dining Hall. What would summer in New England be without a lobster feast? Alternative fare will be available for non-crustacean eaters.

For more information about the Newport Vintage Dance Week, please contact Hannah Roberts Artuso at:

E-mail:

Phone: (781) 662-8344 (before 10pm eastern time, please)