An Afternoon Cotillion

According to Wikipedia, a cotillion (also cotillon or "French country dance") is: a social dance, popular in 18th-century Europe and America. Originally for four couples in square formation, it was a courtly version of an English country dance, the forerunner of the quadrille and, in the United States, the square dance.  It was for some fifty years regarded as an ideal finale to a ball but was eclipsed in the early 19th century by the quadrille. It became so elaborate that it was sometimes presented as a concert dance performed by trained and rehearsed dancers. The later "German" cotillion included more couples as well as plays and games.

When we were looking at some of the events being held during Carnivale, one that looked interesting - and affordable - was a Cottillion held in one of the former palaces on the Grand Canal, now the Hotel Monaco.  Given that the balls held most evening are very expensive (e.g. the one in the Doges' Place is more than 1200 Euros), this sort of event seemed to fill the bill.  To attend, you had to be in period costume - although when we got there it was pretty evident that the rules on that front were more guidelines!  One guy was even in jeans with an 18th century vest.  That just didn't seem right;

The event began with refreshments (a selection of juices and water) in an anteroom before we were invited into the main ballroom.  There was a string quartet on one side and a dance master who would be leading us through some Baroque dance moves.  As I was dressed as a gentleman, I got to play the role of a man in some of the dances.  Unfortunately, I had a sore foot so decided to sit after the first dance.  

The dance master walked us through several dances although I have to confess at the break, when hot chocolate and pastries were being served, I decided to leave as my foot was too painful.  However, before I left, I had the opportunity to video one of the dances.  I think this will give you a good idea of what it was like.  Faye and Barry stayed until the end which was apparently about 2 hours later.