Historical dance, or early dance, embraces social dancing of the courts and ballrooms of Europe, and choreographies from theatre and court entertainments. The periods covered range from the fifteenth century to the nineteenth.
DHDS was founded in 1970 in memory of Mabel Dolmetsch to promote knowledge of historical dance.
DHDS publishes Historical Dance, a leading journal for research in the subject. Most articles from previous issues are available for downloading and book reviews appear on the web site prior to publication in the journal.
DHDS produces dance instruction booklets and accompanying recorded music, based on its own dance research.
DHDS runs an annual Summer School, currently at Bishop Otter Campus, University of Chichester, UK
DHDS holds a biennial conference with the series title On Common Ground. The last one was held in March 2007, with the title The Minuet in Time and Space.
There are several other organisations involved in early dance in the UK and around the world, and several sites providing information and resources. Here are links to some of them.
You can view a collection of photographs from some of our events.
For more information about DHDS contact the secretary or fill in the enquiry form.