To see, to hear, to dance: Vivat John Dowland! | Historical Dance Ball

The Historical Dance Ball is a fixture of the Wittenberg Renaissance Music Festival - and in 2026 more than ever, with the festival motto "Renaissance Kisses Tango". Dance masters Mareike Greb and Mark Frenzel lead the evening, guiding participants through four shared dance rounds.

Live music comes from The Playfords, specialists in historical dance music who have been loyal to the Wittenberg Dance Ball for years. Founded 25 years ago as a dance band, they draw inspiration not least from the interplay with the dancers themselves - and year by year, verse by verse, the dances reveal new facets as The Playfords ornament and improvise. In 2026 they also bring the rhythmic colours and patterns of tango into the mix.

Thematically, all performers pay tribute to John Dowland, whose 400th death anniversary fell in February. Between dances, melodies such as "Tango vivray" by Claudin de Sermisy, "Por una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel, and "Guck doch nicht immer nach dem Tangogeiger" by Friedrich Hollaender ring out - sung by Björn Werner as Cantor de Tango. The programme also explores what Renaissance dance and Argentine tango share: the dissociation of upper body and legs, the variation of a single basic step - "Singles" in John Playford, "Simples" in Thoinot Arbeau, "Caminar" in tango.

Fanciful costumes and prior experience are welcome but not required. First-timers can practise the evening's steps during daytime courses.