Monday's Schedule Overview

Monday is the opening day of The Newport Vintage Dance Week; participants usually arrive throughout the day and sometimes into the evening.

Registration occurs at the Winter Garden at the Portsmouth Abbey's administration building, and usually consists of settling any outstanding balances, being assigned a room, meeting old friends … and perhaps purchasing a Dance Week T-Shirt or Tote Bag.

While registration is going on an ongoing orientation is presented close by -- the orientation is intended to answer any questions about the week and give newcomers some idea of what's to come.

After dinner is the Welcome Party.

The staff of the Newport Vintage Dance Week are introduced during the welcome dance, as well as the instructors for each of the classes; each instructor is given an opportunity to sell you on attending their class.

Registration will open at 2:00pm on Monday, August 14, in the Cortazzo Administration Building's Winter Garden at Portsmouth Abbey School and will remain open until 5:45pm, when dinner is served in the dining hall. Registration will also be open, for latecomers, during the evening Welcome Party. Everyone is urged to arrive in time for dinner. Participants may, for an extra fee, arrive on Sunday to sight-see in Newport. The fee is $45 per person for a double room or $55 for a single and includes Sunday dinner and Monday breakfast and lunch. Reservations for Sunday accommodations must be made no later than July 31st.

You will need to pay the outstanding balance for your registration, including a separate key deposit check (which will be returned after the dance week is over and your key has been turned in). Up to the minute information on the week's schedule, classes, and events will be provided, as well as an opportunity to choose which tasks you wish to volunteer for. Usually there is also an opportunity to buy Dance Week related items, such as T- Shirts or Tote Bags.

A small amount of tourist information for Newport and the surrounding areas is usually available.

The Commonwealth Vintage Dancers will host an informal, optional, open discussion to introduce newcomers to various aspects of the Dance Week and to answer questions. This will take place Monday from 3:30 to 4:30pm near registration. First timers to the dance week or to the Portsmouth Abbey School are encouraged to drop by for a few minutes (or longer) to hear about the events and customs of the week. Experienced participants are welcome to come by and hear about the new events for this year.

The Stillman Dining Hall is located close to the campus administration building. All meals except for the formal dinner (Thursday Evening at Glen manor House) and the Lobster Lunch (Saturday Noon at the Manor House Lawn) will be served here, Catering for the campus is done by Sudexho / Marriott Services so it isn't very bad at all. All meals have a vegetarian option, dinner specifically will almost always have a pasta dish as well as a full salad bar.

This event is a chance to meet new and old friends in a relaxed atmosphere, with both Victorian and Ragtime dancing. Instructors will be introduced and will give an introduction to their classes at about 9:30pm. Dress can be casual, modern or vintage.