Head “back to school” with Footwork and Frolick to explore a dance school quadrille from 1830s Boston in October!
For our 2026-2027 season, Footwork & Frolick is trying a new class format focused on in-depth teaching of select dances in context with other related history. Classes will be open to all levels, and dance selections will be beginner-friendly.
Our October topic will be Boyleston’s Quadrilles. Boyleston’s Quadrilles were composed for Mrs. Barnmore’s students to perform at a Roxbury assembly in 1836. The quadrille features arrangements of opera music from several popular operas of the period arranged by local composer Thomas Comer. A variation on Quadrille Francais (aka “the quadrille”), Boyleston’s Quadrilles are a great way to learn a foundational dance of the 19th century ballroom with a local twist.
Schedule
12:30pm Doors open
1:00pm - 1:45pm Lecture with Q&A
1:45pm Break
2:00pm - 4:00pm Dance Class
4:00pm - 4:45pm Tea and socializing
What to expect
Do I need a partner? No. Many people attend our classes and events without a dance partner. We will form pairs at the start of each dance and members of Footwork & Frolick will be dancing and are happy to balance out numbers. As was expected during the 19th century, we encourage dancers to change partners throughout class.
Note that at our events we use the terms “lead” and “follow” to refer to the roles in the dance. All dancers are welcome to dance either role regardless of gender identity or presentation, and you’ll often find members of Footwork & Frolick switching between roles throughout the event.
What should I wear? We recommend comfortable modern clothes and flat shoes for practicing dance during our classes. Fashion flats (e.g. “ballet flats”), traditional dance shoes, and sneakers are all good options but we recommend something with little bit of “slip” - this helps facilitate sliding movements across the wooden dance floor.
We ask that you bring your class shoes and change in the hall to help us preserve our 1870s space.
Where do I park? Street parking is allowed outside the Grange Hall on the “even” side of Champney Street (the same side the Grange Hall is on).