Irish Set Dancing in Nova Scotia

Set dance classes take place Monday nights at the Chocolate Lake Centre, 14 Purcell's Cove Road, Halifax. Classes are 7-9 pm, and taught by Elizabeth MacDonald.

We have three sessions a year: Fall (September to December), Winter (January to March) and Spring (April to June).  The fee is $50 for 8 classes, or $7 drop-in fee.

Men and women are welcome, partners or solo. No special clothing or shoes are required, but you will be more comfortable in light clothing and you will find the steps easier in shoes with leather soles. Bring water!

Don't worry if you "can't dance." The dances look challenging, but you'll quickly learn to recognize patterns. This is folk dancing, and it has evolved to facilitate participation. See you there!

We've begun a traditional Irish step dance class. Unlike set dancing, this is a solo style. Several dancers may perform at once, but they are usually doing the same steps. Traditional step dancing has inspired competitive modern dance styles, but is itself much lower to the floor, without high kicking. We hope to explore various traditional styles: sean nos, old-style, Connemara. All levels are welcome. Bring water and shoes with hard soles, if you have them.

Elizabeth MacDonald teaching step class

The fee is $30 per session or $5 per class. The class meets every second Saturday, beginning January 9, as follows:

January 9
January 23
February 6
February 20
March 6
March 20

Place
North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant Street, Dartmouth. Click here for directions. We're on the main floor, Room 4.

Time
Every second Saturday, 1:00-2:30 pm.

Sunday sessions

We dance Sundays, 2-4 pm, at The Old Triangle, 5136 Prince Street. Come to dance or watch. The afternoons are casual and fun. There's a full menu, with brunch served 11 to 2. Children are welcome. Live music is provided by a traditional Irish session that continues until at least 5 pm, led by Kevin Roach and Jane Lombard. Players welcome!

Easter at the Pub. Photo by Bill Lynch @ www.setdancingnews.net

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Music sessions

Several weekly sessions take place in Halifax and other Nova Scotia locations. Check out the Nova Scotia Session for details. For sessions around the world, see The Session.

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Our SetsSets we do regularly:
Baile Bhuirne Jig, Clare Lancers, Plain Reel, Corofin, Mazurka, Triangle Lancers, Kilfenora, Antrim Square

Sets we do irregularly:  Ballyduff, Caledonia, Cashel, Connemara, Labasheeda, Newmarket Meserts, Portmagee Meserts

Sets we have been learning:  Jenny Lind, Sliabh Fraoch, Durrow Threshing, Loughgraney, Newport, Seit Doire Cholmcille, Waltz Cotillion, Claddagh, Deradda, Armagh

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"If you can walk, you can dance."