Captain James Cook: a culture of music and dance

Captain James Cook: a culture of music and dance Speaker: Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke Date: Wednesday October 21st 7pm BST London Description James Cook rose from the humblest of beginnings as a farm boy in Yorkshire to become one the greatest explorers in the Age of Enlightenment. Although he is remembered for charts and scientific discoveries, in the 18th century his life and death were commemorated in dance. He used dancing on his ships to keep his crew healthy and in good spirits, as well as in cultural exchanges with the people he encountered on his voyages. News of his adventures in the South Seas stimulated great interest in Britain and Europe, leading to the creation of a number of theatrical works and dances. Heather will take you on a journey to examine Cook’s life. Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke is a dance historian in Brisbane who specialises in the culture of European exploration and the settlement of the Australian colony. She has bee