Although it was recognised that convicts brought their popular culture when transported to colonial Australia, little was known of the details. Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke has investigated the culture of dance and music which was important for these forced migrants by examining Old Bailey Court Transcripts, Medical Journals from convict ships, newspaper reports in the colony, and contemporary art and literature. These resources have revealed a remarkable amount of information about non-elite music and dance in the late 18th and…