Dancing in Fetters

Dancing in Fetters - the culture of convict dance is a national tour that draws on the doctoral research of historian Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke. It sheds a light on a largely unknown aspect of life in the early penal colony and the nature of dance as an expression of freedom, defiance and self-identity. 

When we think of convicts, we don’t tend to think of music and dance, but dance was an integral part of everyday life and one of the most popular forms of recreation in the early colony. Convicts danced to escape the drudgery and harshness of their existence. It provided social cohesion, a sense of belonging and cultural identity in a strange new land.

Free or by gold coin donation.

Wednesday 1 February - Friday 28 April 2023. Plus join us on Friday 3 February 2023 at Cadman's Cottage from 11am - 1pm for a special afternoon, filled with rich music, dance and history.