
The Tūranga Bal, Gisborne
FDNZ’s gathering for 2023. A weekend of dance, bringing new life to old dance traditions. Balfolk workshops for dancers and musicians alike, Appalachian clogging, waiata-a-ringa, community folk dance events.
Join us there!
Postponed to September
Girl Guides Hall, 181 Palmerston Road, Gisborne

BALFOLK Josephine Minibals, Dunedin
Breathe life into skills learned in weekly balfolk lessons! (see FDNZ group listings) Or simply come along and enjoy the chance to dance together to live music.
Last Sunday afternoon of each month, 2.00-3.30pm
Toitū Settlers Museum, 31 Queens Garden, Dunedin
For further details, email balfolkdunedin@gmail.com or visit our facebook page.
Past Events

Balfolkino, Auckland
A day of dance workshops and a live-music Folk Ball with the Italian Balfolk ensemble Lyradanz and Balfolk Aotearoa (Michael Parmenter/Kate Grace). The workshops reveal the varied repertoire of Balfolk, while the evening Folk Ball will be characterised by the unique sound of Lyradanz, one of Europe’s most accomplished Balfolk ensembles.
18 February 2023
132 Grange Road, Balmoral

Farandol Folk Dance Workshop, Christchurch
New dances! Exciting rhythms! A mixture of international folk dance taught by Dance Folkus Director, Fiona Murdoch, to put the Spring back in your step.
14-15 October 2022
Somerfield Community Centre / Addington School Hall, Christchurch
Workshop cost $30 – See Farandol website for registration and further details https://farandol.folkdance.nz

Ceilidh with the Celtic Music Orchestra, Christchurch
A fun night out of called dancing to the wonderful music of the Christchurch Celtic Music Orchestra. Dances called by Gary Elford.
2 October 2022, $10 on door.

Spring Equinox Folk Ball and Festival, Dunedin
A very special weekend of popular social dance, extraordinary music, with workshops and performances heralds both the turning of the season and the completion of Caroline Plummer Fellow Michael Parmenter’s Otago University Fellowship.
Two Folk Balls, three intensive workshops in dance genres not normally included in the Balfolk repertoire and an evening of social exchange with live music and dancing will provide opportunities to celebrate the arrival of Spring and the re-emergence of social conviviality after the long dusk of Winter.
23-25 September 2022

Winter Warm Up, Auckland
When: Saturday 13 August, from 5.45pm
Where: 6 Rockridge Ave, Penrose
What: Always the folkloric fun of the year! 13 ethnic ensembles will show & then share, joining you in to dance with them.
Cash bar opens 5.45pm, with mulled wine on arrival. Argentinian dinner food at modest price. Raffles. $2 entry.
Contact: Rae Storey, raestorey36@gmail.com

Weekend Workshop of Folk Dance from Finland and England/USA
Sat-Sun, 13-14 August 2022
Danish House, 6 Rockridge Ave Penrose
FDNZ members $40; Non-members $60
Folk Dances of Finland: Finnish folk dance draws from a diverse European dance heritage: better preserved in this remote corner of the continent than anywhere else. Marja-Liisa Philbert and Minna Vuorinen share their beloved dances of Finland with us.
Movers & Shakers: A fresh approach to English Country Dancing from North America.
North Americans have long embraced English Country Dancing, with clubs widespread throughout the country. Here, the traditional dances since the seventeenth century are kept alive, as well as many recently written dances in the historic English style.
Beth Harris is one of the co-leaders of the English Country Dance Group in Auckland.

Family Dance Party, Auckland
Saturday 2 July, 2-4.30pm
St Pauls Church Hall, 12 St Vincent Ave, Remuera
For all ages of kids. Bring your children, your grandchildren, and their friends.
Adults need to stay with kids under 10. Entry free, bring a plate for afternoon tea.
And why not dress up!
Hosted by Ruritanian International Folk Dance Club, contact Rae Storey, raestorey36@gmail.com
For the Bouree frees me from gravity and gets my feet to laugh.
translated from Laetitia Carton, Le Grand Bal
For I don’t know a funnier game than the Circassian Circle.
For in the Chapelloise I can look at each one of you, and give you a smile.
Smile at you even when you’re as focussed and shy as I am, when our gazes are meeting in the middle of the whirlwind.