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Dance fads are often a sign of the times: the Waltz, the Charleston, flossing.
The same could be said — in a sense — of choreomania.
The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia wants you to come boogie like you can’t stop on Mischief Night (or Oct. 30 to normies). The occasion? “Choreomania,” an after-hours dance party with a nod to one of history’s weirder moments.
According to a press release sent out by the museum, choreomania was something that actually happened; a “‘dancing mania’ that periodically struck medieval European towns.”
“The most well-known case was the so-called Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg, France, where hundreds of citizens were impacted by a widespread but inexplicable need to dance,” the release explains. “Over several months, citizens experienced symptoms like uncontrollable movement, dehydration, sweating, extreme fatigue, and sometimes even collapse.”
The BBC adds that this “dancing plague” was purportedly preceded by strange omens: Stars, floods, extreme weather. Then, before anyone knew it, a woman named Frau Troffea started doing a jig and couldn’t stop.
“While uncertain about its cause, medieval physicians treated choreomania by bringing in musicians, creating dance halls for the afflicted, and managing other symptoms with food and drink,” the release adds. “Episodes of ‘dancing mania’ occurred throughout mainland Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries, resisting easy medical explanation, past or present.”
Attendees to the museum’s “Choreomania” will, thankfully, have the choice of whether to dance or not to a live DJ. There will also be an immersive, sensory light installation courtesy of artist collective Glimmer Labs, along with light bites and specialty cocktails (for purchase), as well as costumed actors and pop-up activations.
“Choreomania is an opportunity for us to welcome visitors to the Mütter Museum to engage and learn about medical history through the lens of entertainment,” said Sara Ray, Ph.D and Senior Director of Interpretation and Engagement at the museum, via the release.
“I’ve long been fascinated by this series of historic events because they beautifully demonstrate medieval understandings about how the body’s physiology and medicine were connected to a spiritual ecology involving nature, humans, demons, and the divine.”
“Choreomania” will be hosted on the aforementioned Mischief Night from 7 to 11 p.m. For more information, please click here.
Let’s just hope 1518 doesn’t end up repeating itself.
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