For the Derwent Regency Festival, 2024 see this page.
The dates for the next Derwent Regency Festival are 29th November – 2nd December, 2024.
After the 2023 festival there were requests for more Regency music and dancing events, so we have organised some additional delights.
Runnymede Regency Picnic with live music and dance, Sunday 7th January + National Trust
Come and enjoy a Regency-era picnic in Runnymede’s garden on Sunday 7th January, Noon to 3.00 pm.
Enjoy sitting on the lawn, listening to beautiful music including harp and flute.
Join in the dancing if you wish. All dances will be taught on the day, no experience nor partner needed. Children welcome.
Costume admired but not required.
BYO everything for your own picnic, including rugs/chairs.
Cost: entry fee to Runnymede (Adult $15 | Concession $12 | Child aged 7-16 yrs $5 | National Trust Members & children 6 yrs and under free)
Runnymede is at 61 Bay Rd, New Town and is open from 10am – 3pm. See https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/runnymede/. Tours are available.
Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc.
A word from the National Trust, who manage Runnymede:
National Trust Tasmania aims to create a welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers and visitors.
Volunteering for the National Trust enables people to give back to their community, while meeting like-minded visitors from around the world. We also aim to take an inclusive approach to Tasmania’s cultural history including its problematic aspects. Volunteers are at the frontline of caring for aspects of Tasmania’s cultural history and sharing it with visitors.
Volunteers support the National Trust’s museum properties through a range of roles including visitor services, running education tours, events, gardening, research, transcription of historic documents, collection management and conservation housekeeping.
National Trust Tasmania museum properties include:
- Unshackled – Hobart Penitentiary (cnr of Campbell and Brisbane Street Hobart)
- Runnymede, New Town
- Oak Lodge, Richmond
- Franklin House, Youngtown, Launceston
- Clarendon, south of Evandale
- Home Hill at Devonport
Historic Dance Party – A Regency Ball at Lenah Valley Country Manor
We’re going to have a ball, literally – a Regency Ball in Lenah Valley.
What is a ball, but a dance party? They were all the rage during the Regency era, their version of a dance party, with exciting music, lots of fun and a chance to meet people.
After all the fun we had at our Derwent Regency Festival, there were calls for more Regency dancing, so here’s an opportunity.
Wednesday, 17th January, 2024, 7-10pm. Doors open 6:45pm.
Divine and exciting period music including many Tasmanian pieces, by Van Diemen’s Angels (harp, piano, fiddle and flute)
Lively dances from the Regency era, including some Scottish ones and some predecessors of today’s contra dances. Expect to work up a thirst and smile a lot.
All ages and identities are welcome. All dances taught. No partner or dancing experience is required.
Period attire admired but not required. It’s not essential, but it is fun. See https://folktas.org/but-darling-i-have-nothing-to-wear/ for ideas. Alternatively, just wear something nice or fancy.
Lenah Valley Community Hall, 18 Creek Rd, Lenah Valley, Hobart
No pre-bookings. Tickets at the door: $15 adults, $7 children u/12.
Please bring a plate of finger food for supper.
Tea and coffee available.
The picnic proposed to precede the ball will not be proceeding.
Facebook/Meetup: Dance Folk Tasmania
folktas.org/regency
folkdancetas@gmail.com
6273 2127
Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc
Additional Information
All ages and identities welcome.
See “But darling, I have nothing to wear” for hints on costumes (which are admired but not required).
Information about finding the venues, and reducing our environmental impact in transport and at the events, is at folktas.org/venuesenv. If you’d like to share transport to the venues, feel free to post a request to our Facebook group, Dance Folk Tasmania, or to talk to other people at the events. If you ask at an event, we can usually make an announcement for you.
There are many other lovely things to do in Hobart and surrounds. Some places to visit with some Regency relevance are Port Arthur, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or simply wandering through Battery Point.
Cathy and David, 03 6273 2127, folkdancetas@gmail.com
Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc, folktas.org/regency
Facebook/Meetup: Dance Folk Tasmania
Instagram: folktas
Your tickets support local folk music artists, as well as the venues who support us.