Edinburgh Dance Assembly 1723: 18th century inspired Ceilidh Night

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Come celebrate 300 years of social dancing in Edinburgh with an 18th century inspired Ceilidh Night on 4th November in the 18th-century St Cecilia's Hall!

About Edinburgh Dance Assembly 1723: 18th century inspired Ceilidh Night

Listed Under Nights Out Events / Dance Events / History Events / Music Events

Come to celebrate 300 years of social dancing in Edinburgh! 18th-century inspired dance, music and refreshments in the 18th-century St Cecilia's Hall with special tours around the Museum's instrument collections.

On the 4th of November, 1723, the Caledonian Mercury informed the readers that 'Edinburgh Assembly is to begin on Thursday next the 7th Instant, in the great Hall in Patrick Steel's Close, and Tickets are given out at Mr James Robertson's Bookseller, opposite to the Cross.' Steel's Close today bears the name of the Assembly - Old Assembly Close.

For this 18th-century Assembly-inspired Ceilidh night, we will choose dances and music from the Scottish collections created in the 18th -century set to traditional tunes and pieces by Scottish composers such as James Oswald, Thomas Erskine, Robert Mackintosh, and Niel Gow. The music will be played by John Sampson (baroque recorder), Wendy Weatherby (cello), and Lourence Dunn (violin).

The dances will be called and walked through. During the evening, you can also join St Cecilia’s Museum curator for a special tour around the museum's unique collection of musical instruments. During the short interval, light refreshments described in the period sources will be served.

Dress – code: Historical dress or evening attire. No high-heeled shoes, please.

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