Thursday, 22 January 2026

Folk Dance Workshop January 24 & 25

 Please join us for this free Workshop!

Jo Leibovitz: Jo is a lifetime folk dancer. She was exposed to international music and dance beginning in her mother’s womb and has been dancing since she could walk. She took folk dance classes from preschool and in high school “graduated” into Edmonton International Folk Dancers. Jo has attended workshops and camps from California to British Columbia to Nova Scotia and Massachusetts, learning from many world renowned folk dance teachers over this time.
She brings over 40 years of teaching experience, having taught in Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa.
Jo is very passionate about sharing her love of music and dance, and likes to teach using music as much as possible so that dancers stay engaged and moving to the beautiful melodies. She is thrilled to be able to meet, teach and engage new dancers at the workshop in Yellowknife.


Silvia Holtrop: From the moment Silvia witnessed her first folk dance performance in Croatia, she was captivated by the energy and connection of traditional dance and she has been dancing ever since.
With over 30 years of dance experience, she first discovered her love for teaching 26 years ago when she was part of a multicultural dance performance in Cairo, Egypt. Since moving from the Netherlands to Ottawa in 2005, Silvia has been an active member of the local folk dance community and a regular teacher since 2015.
Silvia loves teaching because it allows her to pass on her favourite activity to others. In every class, she strives to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where dancers can connect—with one another, with the music, and with the traditions behind each dance.


Together, Silvia and Jo teach and organize the International Folk Dancers of Ottawa teaching program as well as encouragecoach, and support new teachers in our club.

Tuesday, 6 September 2022

First class: September 13th

 This is a reminder that our first class starts on September 13th.

We will be reviewing basic steps and selecting dances from our repertoire. 

On September 20th we will review a dance from Albania, which we previously learned: Vallja e Pllanes. Bring a pair of lightweight scarves.

 

Tuesday, 30 August 2022

New dance season starting soon

 Mark your calendars! Our first class is on Tuesday, September 13th, at 7:00 pm in the Anglican Church basement.


Sunday, 10 July 2022

Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 7:00 pm. Please contact us for the address.

Friday, 29 April 2022

Happy International Dance Day

 



Today is International Dance Day. 

Click here to find out some neat dance facts. There is more information at the Canadian Dance Assembly.

Let’s dance!




Wednesday, 2 March 2022

Planning for March 8th Class

 


We are going to try learning a new dance next week

Dansul Fetelor de la Crihalma, from Romania. We introduced this one a few years ago but never mastered it. 

Instructions and links to videos are here: https://folkdancemusings.blogspot.com/2018/03/dansul-fetelor-de-la-crihalma-romania.html

Suggestions for other dances are always welcome.

Our public health rules have changed. The masking order is still in place but other restrictions have been lifted. 

And if we are feeling brave about holding hands, here is a neat little couples dance from Greenland, Tuluttooq: https://folkdancemusings.blogspot.com/2022/01/tuluttooq-greenland.html

Image credit: ShadowNighy, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons


Wednesday, 16 February 2022

Pre-planning

 We are starting to plan for next week's class, and are looking for suggestions.  So far, we are planning to practice the following dances:

  • Cha Cha Espagna
  • Africa Bum Bum
  • Sumetskaya

Here is a review of our repertoire.

Line Dances

Socially Distanced Dances - Slower

These are dances which we can perform, with some modifications, while socially distanced.

Socially Distanced Dances - Faster 

 

Social dances

These dances involve hand holding or partners. We will have to modify them or wait until current restrictions are lifted.

  • La Bastringue
  • Carnivalito 
  • Cshebogar 
  • D'Hammerschmiedsg'selln
  • Doudlebska Polka
  • Fado Blanquita 
  • Fjaskern
  • Hole in the Wall
  • Kozachok
  • Saint John River
  • Les Saluts 
  • Santa Rita
  • Sarna from Zywiec
  • Savila Se Bela Loza
  • Siege of Ennis
  • Tarantella
  • Tarantella Montevergine
  • Troika
  • Virginian Reel
  • Waltz Promenade 
  • Zimushka