Folkdance Classes
Wellington
(also see: upcoming special events and socials in Wellington, Wairarapa and Kapiti...)
Balfolk with Rosa & Joana
When: Fridays 6:30- 8:00pm
Where: Full Swing Dance Studio, Cuba Street
Balfolk is a popular dance movement that has re-invented traditional European social dance forms and music as a vibrant dance experience. The emphasis is on social dance rather than performance, full of fun interactions leaving plenty of room for variations. 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. Suitable for all levels of physical disposition.
During the classes, we will share group dances such as Circle Circassian, Chappelloise, Bourree, Rondeaux, as well as Portuguese, Spanish, Greek and Israeli, suggesting possible variations. We will also introduce how to lead and follow to build connection in partner
dances which make the Balfolk movement truly unique.
Here is a great documentary - Le Gran Ball (2018) that shows how one of the oldest traditional Balls in Europe has evolved through times. We look forward to enjoying Balfolk with you! And of course please share about these sessions with your dance loving friends - the more the merrier.
World Dance
Sessions are held 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, 7:30 - 9:30pm, at St Barnabas Hall, 35 Box Hill, Khandallah (to be confirmed for 2020)
Traditional and some modern folk dances from many countries are taught by group members. Cost: $5 per session, to cover hall cost.
Tip: wear casual, light-weight clothes and comfortable shoes (no high heels) suitable for quick, vigorous movement.
Group contact:
- Michele Dickson, phone: (04)972-2350, e-mail:
Israeli Dance
Join us each Monday for recreational dancing - great exercise for mind and body!
Go to macholpacifica.org.nz
for details of Israeli dance groups around the country. Contact:
Other Folk and Ethnic Dance Communities
Click below for:
- Bulgarian: Bulgarian Society Horo promotes, preserves and fosters Bulgarian Culture, including dance. see www.facebook.com/horo.wellington
- Mexican Folk Dance Meetup
- Scottish
- Polish
- Contra -
see our events page or the Wellington Contra website for dates
- Wellington Folk Club: www.acousticroutes.org.nz
- Wellington
Folk Festival: wellingtonfolkfestival.org.nz
Wellington Hellenic Dancers: Contact Joanna Matsis ph. +64(4)388-4559 or mob. 021-884559, e-mail: jomatsis63 @ gmail.com
Other Styles
This list only contains the few links the FDNZ webmaster has been appraised of and had time to insert. If you know of other websites, e-mail the webmaster (though there's no promises).
For a range of classes, workshops and courses, see the Wellington
Performing Arts Centre website: www.whitireia.ac.nz/
(navigate to casual Childrens or Adult classes).
Celtic Folk
Victoria University Folk Club runs Céilíhs every few months - see Vic Folk's website for details.
"VicFolk is a student-led club at Victoria University, started in 2017, that hosts a range of lively events. For the musicians there are fortnightly ceilidh tune practices during university terms and a range of workshops during the year. Although we do host concerts, participatory events - especially traditional sessions and ceilidhs - are at the heart of what we do. The club’s ceilidhs are open to the public, require no previous dancing experience, and draw a lively crowd. In the winter trimester VicFolk hosts its own weekend festival, the Tunefest, with a headline concert, a ceilidh, sessions, mini-gigs and workshops, and which played to a full house in its first edition in 2017."
Vic Folk welcomes collaborative suggestions from anyone interested in putting on participatory folk music events.
Contact: vicfolkmusic@gmail.com - website: www.vicfolkmusic.wordpress.com - Facebook: @VicFolkMusic
The Vic Folk Tunefest: vicfolktunefest.wordpress.com
Rock and Roll
Feet With Heat is a rock-and-roll and Lindy Hop dance studio, and much more!
Latin American
Viva Latina Dance Company website: www.vivalatinadance.com
- classes most days of the week around the region. e-mail:
vivalatinadance@yahoo.co.nz.
Also check
out Planet
Salsa: www.smartgroups.com/groups/planetsalsa.
Dervish Turning
This is practised regularly following the authentic form originating in Turkey within the Mevlevi order of Dervishes, founded by Jallaluddin Rumi in the thirteenth century. People of all faiths are welcome to watch the turning ceremony. wellingtonstudygroup.org.nz (also see brochure and video).
Things to Do
Click
here to go to the Events page, which lists monthly and
one-off socials, workshops and performances.
If you're in Wellington and wondering what to do one evening, try the Feeling
Great pages. Alternatively
there's the Kadmus Arts NZ Page,
which lists festivals all over New Zealand.
Organising an Event?
If you'd like your folk dance or ethnic cultural event to be listed in our events page, contact the web master.
Something for dance organisers to note: the Wellington City Council grants page, and a bunch of hot tips circulated
by the Wellington City Council are reproduced here...
- and their index of grants is at:
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/grants/index.html
Also, don't miss the Get Set Go! courses for events organisers. See our Resources page for who to contact.
Last updated 9 April, 2021
