Though a variety of workshops in traditional dance are scheduled each year, they all have one thing in common: they are "community dances". Everyone is invited to take part in the fun. You don't have to be a dance pro to kick up your heels at the dance stage — just wear some comfortable shoes and join in.

 

 

 

Dance - morning, noon and night at the festival this year!

We're expanding our dance program at the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival this year and we hope you'll come and check it out. We have a new dance floor and folk dance workshops scheduled on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We're also very excited to add two evening dances to the dance schedule at the festival this year: On Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. join us at the dance tent for some old fashioned Newfoundland set dancing. No experience is needed for any of these sessions. You're invited to dance with us.

Saturday 10:00 am

 

English Country Dance
Andrew Draskoy (caller) and Evelyn Osborne (violin)

In honour of 400 years of English settlement in Newfoundland, Andrew will teach several boisterous country dances from 17th-century England. Come party like its 1610!

 

Saturday 11:00 am

 

Irish-Newfoundland Step Dance

Kristin Harris Walsh (instructor) and Stan Pickett (accordion)

This workshop will introduce the Irish-Newfoundland step dance style, brought over from Ireland to Newfoundland in the 1930s by the Christian Brothers, and most commonly performed by the St. Pat’s Dancers. We will learn one full dance in this workshop. Please wear comfortable shoes with a small, chunky heel if possible (and tap or step dance shoes if you own them). We will work up a sweat, so please dress comfortably and bring water!

 

 

Saturday noon

 

The Set from Griquet
Ford Elms (caller) and Dave Penny (accordion)

 

Dance caller Ford Elms will lead you in a traditional Newfoundland set dance from his home community on the Northern Peninsula. This is a square set dance that Ford learned as a child growing up and going to family parties.

Saturday 7:00 - 8:00 pm

 

Dance at the Festival! Traditional Newfoundland Set Dancing
Jim Payne (caller) and Glenn Hiscock (fiddle)

 

Join step-dancer and dance caller Jim Payne for an old-fashioned Newfoundland dance. Jim is a well-respected musician and dancer
originally from Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland. He has a great repertoire of traditional dances and will dance you through one or more!

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Sunday 10:00 am

 

A Morris Dance Sampler
Jane Rutherford (caller) and Bob Rutherford (accordion)

 

Here's your chance to learn more about this ceremonial dance tradition from England. This workshop will show you the basics
of several Morris Dance styles. Bells, sticks and hankies will be provided!

 

Sunday 11:00 am

 

Sevillanas: A Spanish Folk Dance
Christina Penney (instructor) and Linda Guillemette (cajon), Tommy Duggan (guitar)

Sevillanas is a traditional Flamenco-style folk dance from the south of Spain. It is danced by couples of all ages and sexes during celebrations such as fiestas, and there are even night clubs devoted to playing Sevillanas music all night long!

Sunday noon

 

From Scottish Dance to Contra Dance!
Noreen MacLennan & Keith Murphy (callers)
with music by Nightingale (Becky Tracy, Jeremiah McLane Keith Murphy)

Dance across the Atlantic Ocean in this workshop which will focus on traditional country dances from Scotland and contra dances from
New England. Contra dancing is probably the most popular form of dance in North America. Come and find out why and how this dance style evolved from British country dances.

Sunday 7:00 - 8:00 pm

 

Dance at the Festival! Traditional Newfoundland Set Dancing
Caller: Tonya Kearley

 

"Dance UP!" The Dance Floor with an edge... with dance dominatrix Tonya Kearley and her musical fiends.