Research Symposium

BIO

Faith Goyette is a junior transfer student from North Florida College where she worked as an English tutor, served as Vice President of the Student Government Association, Secretary of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and graduated Suma Cum Laude with her Associate of Arts degree. Currently, Faith is in her first year here at Florida State University as a Dance major seeking a bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Dance with a specification in Dance Science. Originally from Dowling Park, Florida, Faith now resides in Perry, Florida, where she is employed as a Dance Instructor at the Dance Workshop and she is stepping to position as Artistic Director this summer. Faith’s research is driven by her appreciation for history and dancing along with her love for learning and exploration. Overarching career and education goals for Faith are to apply to graduate school to receive a Master of Fine Arts and become a professor at a colligate dance institution after spending time performing in a dance company setting.

Boquet Balls: Social Dancing in Territorial Tallahassee (1820's)

Abstract

Theater with a Mission (TWAM), is a Tallahassee based organization that brings you face to face with Florida’s history through accurate and educational entertainment. Because the bicentennial of Tallahassee is approaching in 2024, TWAM is putting on a production of the events and social life of Territorial Tallahassee. As for my research, I am doing an individual historical analyses of certain aspects of life in Tallahassee in 1824 for TWAM’s upcoming production. My focus is the specific social dancing event referred to as a “Boquet Ball,” and its significance in the social scene in Territorial Florida. Boquet Balls were a smaller social gathering constituting a “handsome super,” coupled dancing, and most importantly the extravagant ending of the Queen of the evening passing a bouquet of flowers to the next unexpecting gentleman. While Boquet Balls were only hosted in Florida for eight years, they made great impact in the social scene of our dear Tallahassee.

Keywords: Social Dance, Territorial Tallahassee, Boquet Balls, 1820's.