Evening Activities

• Dancers are also encouraged to remember some of the ideals and courtly manners of the Renaissance and our Current Middle Ages.
  • Abandoning one's partner is discourteous. After the dance, the one who extended the invitation should escort their partner to their chair, or help find them a new partner
  • Everyone should have an opportunity to dance, regardless of rank or status. In our Current Middle Ages, Ladies are encouraged to ask Lords to dance, and anyone can invite Peers and Royalty to dance
  • Refusing an invitation to dance is an insult. Making eye contact implies one wishes to dance. Watching for subtle head signs for 'yes' or 'no' before asking can spare such awkwardness
  • Trying to complete a set by shouting "Partner" is boorish. Scanning the crowd, using eye contact and asking politely is far more gracious and courteous
  • Background conversations make it difficult to hear the music. Those wishing rest and chat are invited to congregate in the room set aside for socializing

The Court and Renaissance Ball

• Before the Ball
  • Please add your name, your highest award and the date it was granted to the list at the gate or in the hall during feast.
  • Think of a few dances you might choose for the Ball and review them as needed
  • For the Formal Ball, everyone is encouraged to choose Renaissance dances (pre-17th century Italian, French, Inns of Court, Gresley and so on)
    • The above is not an absolute rule, it is a suggestion/request
  • If wish to choose a very late English Country or Out of Period Dance, please write "Post Rev Only" on the list
  • At the Ball, lords should sit to the Throne's left and ladies to the right

• Their Highnesses will open their court, which signals the opening of the Formal Ball
  • The Padrone Delle Cerimonie will invite the highest ranked Lord and Lady to choose a dance (from the list below)
  • The Padrone will announce the dance, and everyone wishing to participate finds a partner.
  • (Experienced dancers it will do a quick run through if needed)
  • After partners are escorted back to their seat, the Padrone calls the next two Nobles

• End of the Formal Ball, Start of the Dance Post-Revevel
  • At their Highness's pleasure, they will close their court, signaling the end of the Formal Ball
  • The Padrone will continue inviting gentles by Order of Precedence
  • For the Post Rev, all dance styles are encouraged, including Late English Country or 'Out of Period' ones

• Wrapping it up
  • We can dance well into the night; we only have to be out of the hall at 2AM
  • The event staff will begin to clean up around 1AM
  • Please continue to dance, but any help you can provide between dances would be greatly appreciated