• Folkdancers' Own

    Celtic Confluence

    Celtic Circle Dances Workshop A weekend workshop of Celtic circle dances organised and facilitated by Fiona Murdoch of Dance Folkus, began on Saturday morning at the Caledonian Society Hall in Hamilton.  The dances were taught by English tutors, Cindy Kelly and Adrian Pointon, who choreographed all the dances that were taught.  We warmed up with a gentle dance called “Our Hero” (track title, Mo Ghile Mear) to the music of The Chieftains and Sting, and enjoyed throughout the day a variety of rhythms and steps to contemporary Celtic folk music, such as Clannard, John McCusker, Capercaillie and Runrig, to name a few.  Morning and afternoon tea sessions were also enjoyed…

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  • Folkdancers' Own

    Le Grande Bal de L’Europe

    Some impressions from a personal experience in 2023 In August 2023, Alec and I finally made the postponed-due-to-COVID 2020 trip to Scotland. We took the opportunity to preface the trip with a week in France and attended Le Grand Bal – the essential Balfolk dance festival. I knew many people who had been over the years, and who all raved about it. Held on a rural property in central France, Le Grand Bal is not easily accessible by public transport. We flew into Lyon, hired a car and based ourselves in the nearby town of Moulins, Allier. We were not kitted out for camping on site, but I was told…

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  • Ōtakou / Otago

    English Country Dance

    Mondays, 7-8.30pm Opoho Scout Hall, 128 Opoho Road, Dunedin Experience the joy and grace of English Country Dance! Join us for a weekly class that will immerse you in the elegant and lively social dances of the 18th and 19th centuries.English Country Dance is a fantastic low-impact workout to exercise your body and mind while enjoying beautiful music and community, a great way to stay active and make new friends. Don’t miss this opportunity to try something new and connect with our friendly community. See you on the dance floor! No experience or partner necessary – Comfortable shoes a must.Regular blocks of 5 consecutive classes $40Casual attendance $10 https://www.facebook.com/balfolkdunedin

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  • Uncategorized

    Winter Warm Up Workshop

    International Folk Dance with Chris Wild. Danish House, 6 Rockridge Ave, Penrose 12-13 August 2023 Chris Wild has been dancing with the popular Sydney-based Sedenka Dance Group since it began in 1969, leading the group since the mid-1990s. She has travelled extensively in Europe, taking part in dance seminars and workshops in various countries including Bulgaria, Armenia, Greece, Macedonia, Albania and Transylvania. This workshop offers some of Sedenka’s favourites from the Eastern European folk dance repertoire. Folk Dance New Zealand is thrilled to offer this opportunity to indulge in some good old-fashioned international folk dance. See you on the dance floor! Saturday 12 August, 9.30am – 3.00pm // Sunday 13…

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  • Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland

    Balfolk Auckland

    Balfolk Auckland is a weekly dance gathering in which traditional European dance forms are explored as a vibrant dance experience. Balfolk instructor, celebrated teacher and choreographer Michael Parmenter includes regional French dances such as the chain dances from Brittany, the bourrées from the Auvergne along with dances from the Basque and Bearn regions of southern France. Balfolk is a popular dance movement that has reinvented traditional European social dance forms and music as a vibrant dance experience. Partner dances like waltz, mazurka, Scottish and polka sit alongside group contra-dances, circle dances and mixers (dances structured to rotate partners) that are simple to learn and invite improvisation. We are LGBT+ Friendly St Stephens…

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  • Ōtakou / Otago

    Balfolk Dunedin

    When: Tuesdays, 7-8.30pmWhere: Sacred Heart School Hall (Ngā Maara Hall), 63 North Road, North East Valley, DunedinWhat: Balfolk ImmersionContact: Kate Grace, balfolkdunedin@gmail.com When: Wednesdays, 7-8.30pmWhere: Baptist Community Centre, 270 North Road, North East Valley, DunedinWhat: French Contredanses (and Balfolk Formation dances)Contact: Kate Grace, balfolkdunedin@gmail.com

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  • Wellington

    Balfolk Class Wellington

    When: Wednesday, 6.00-7.30pm. From June 19th for a 6-week block.Where: Newtown Community Centre, Te Whare Hapori o Nga Puna Waiora. What: Social dance that gives new life to European traditional dances. Contact: Laureline Darques, email wellingtonbalfolk@gmail.com or @balfolkwellingtonCost: $10 per session.

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