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 Fall session started September 8, 2008. The fee is $78 for 12 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 class will meet every second Saturday at the North Woodside Community Centre in Dartmouth. The fee will be based on the number of people who show up, but will always be under $5.

Place
North Woodside Community Centre, 230 Pleasant Street, Dartmouth. Click here for directions. The building is always locked, so you'll need to ring the doorbell. We're on the main floor, Room 4.

Time
Every second Saturday, 1:00-2:30 pm.
Fall classes will begin on September 13, and continue more or less every second week thereafter.

Note that there is a three-week gap between the classes of October 25 and November 15.

September 13
September 27
October 11
October 25
November 15
November 29

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!

Sets we do regularly:  Baile Bhuirne Jig, Clare Lancers, Plain Reel, Corofin, Mazurka, Triangle Lancers, Kilfenora

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