Tag: national costume

City Cultural Festival with Dance Recital

Published on by fashionthrougherstory2 Comments

By now it’s been two weeks ago the annual cultural festival in our town.
And just like last year me and my dance team was there to do a little performance.

This year the theme/time period on our dance was “Anything goes” or “All decades unite” to promote the upcoming Ball with the same theme.

I had some trouble deciding on what to wear (such a luxury problem, right), but in the end I decided to wear my new 17th century outfit. Mainly because I (correctly) guessed no one else would be wearing 17th century, and because I really wanted to try it out properly, to decide how I felt about it (stomacher and all)

20150822_121001_resizedMe and Maud

The weather was perfect (maybe even a bit to hot), and the stage had been set up in the perfect spot in the middle of the park, with lots of market booths and activities close by to help draw audience to us.

The performance went well, even though all our memorys was a bit rusty after the summer break.IMG_8204Lots of decdes in one dance: 1780s, Medieval, 1850s, regency and 1660s.

IMG_8205I used my thin fichu to cover my scooping decolletage from both uncomfortable eyes and the scorching sun.

Between the shows we had a short break to watch the other teams dance, and to take a short turn at the market (where we handed out information about our ball)

IMG_8186 IMG_8185Swedish folk dance team

IMG_8176Lindy hopp

IMG_8175The Swedish Polska dancing team.

IMG_8170The historic dance team’s resting in the shade.

IMG_8173Carl and Shakila from my sewing course, sporting medieval and 1850s evening wear.

IMG_8187Maud in er fabulous 18th century Anglaise.

IMG_8189We performed right beside the old cars exhition.

IMG_8191We also meet the mascot for our local Hockey team – I do not envy the poor hot person inside…

Before it was time to go home I got a few minutes to talk (and take some photos) with my childhood dance teacher Katarina.
I joined in her kids folk dance team at the age of 6, continued as assisting dance teacher at age 15, and still frequent the same summer dances, festivals, and barbecues. 11863477_951061591616540_6141235149920294569_n17th century meets Skedevi national costume (summer edition).

IMG_8197I totally adore this woman.

Once home again, my fiancé helped me by taking some photos of my outfit (sans the fichu).

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After the day ended I can truly say that I really love this costume.
I felt so pretty and stylish in it, the shape it gives me and the way it makes me feel really petite and like an Amazon at the same time is just so great (sorry, can’t describe the felling any better)
But I must admit it was quite a relief to get home, unlace and put on some sweats…
(I’m curently working on some big plans for this costume…)

Cultural Festival and Regency Dance

Published on by fashionthrougherstory3 Comments

Yesterday it was once again time for the annual cultural festival in our town, and I had agreed to join the historic dance team for their recital. Last time I’d performed on the festival was about 8 years ago, together with my friend of the young national dance team (and when I say young, I basically mean any dancer under the age of 40).

This time though, I would not wear my national costume, but my new regency gown compleat with velvet west and bonnet.

I started getting ready by curling my wet hair the evening before, and let it set over night.IMG_1682This is how I looked when I woke up (way to early on a Saturday), and started to get ready.

I did some light make-up and fuzzes around with the hair, to get something similar to curls in my short bangs.IMG_1688

All dressed up and wearing my new bonnet, I thought it looked pretty decent.IMG_1695Then it was time t take the bus downtown to the meet up point for the festival.

Sadly the weather was not at all co-operating.IMG_1706
And the dance area was cowered in water and extremely slippery.

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Two wet gents testing the floor.

The teams about to perform all gathered and made them self ready, while huddling beneath rain coats, umbrellas and shawls.IMG_1777
Clara and Maud, in matching self made bonnets and happy despite the weather.

Then the dance program started.
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Beginning with the classical dance team, in their lovely national costumes.

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The two ladies in this pic are wearing identical jackets and two variations of the “Skedevi” costume. (left: the summer costume in white and pink cotton, and right: the sunday costume in red wool). I would love to make that jacket for myself – I do have the pattern…

Then it was time for the kids
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You need to be pretty devoted as a parent to agree to do this things.

The next team was the “polske – team”, with their beautiful and addictive dances in 3/4 beats. IMG_1725My friend Annica (whose wedding I attended in late may).

Then it was our turn.
IMG_1735We did a short variation of our usual routine, and were happy once we put our jackets back on.

The team I liked the most were the swing dancers.IMG_1743They looked to be having so much fun, and really rocked the style (some more then others).
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Then we got a short show from a bride to be on her bachelorett party. IMG_1756And yes, of course she could swing to.

Then it was time for another old school dance team, “the Morris team”.IMG_1758I guess it could have been pretty cool, if they had all been on beat and perfectly choreographed. But as it were, the noise those bells and sticks made was not exactly my cup of tea…

We also got to see a team from Denmark.IMG_1765Look at those embroidery. So nice to see some new to me national costumes.

And a team from Norwegian.IMG_1770Our neighbors to the east, are known for their lovely red and black national costumes covered with heavy jewelry.

As you can see from this photos there was not many on-lookers except the dancers waiting for their turn. this seams to be the routine on these cultural days. And as a friend said: I have no idea why we do this year after year, since it’s just society for mutual admiration.

And I guess that’s why it’s been 8 yeas since I last did this recital.

But I did get a photo of me and two old time friends.
IMG_1727Katarina (in the middle), was my dance teacher when I was a kid. And Annika (who also was in the kids dance group), are now a board-member in the dance organisation, and dances so often and long that her shoes are falling apart…

Once home again I marveled over my extremely stupid looking “mössfrilla” (hat hairdo).IMG_1790

I also discovered I managed to tear my dress.IMG_1791Well, thats just another one for the mending pile.

Now to get ready for next weekends event.