Dance Tent

34^th Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival (August, 2010)

Dance Tent

English Country Dance
Andrew Draskoy (caller) and Evelyn Osborne (violin)
In honour of 400 years of English settlement in Newfoundland,
Andrew taught several boisterous country dances from 17th-century England and the dancers partied like it was 1610!

Irish-Newfoundland Step Dance
Kristin Harris Walsh (instructor) and Stan Pickett (accordion)

This workshop introduced the Irish-Newfoundland step dance style, brought over from Ireland to Newfoundland in the 1930s by the Christian Brothers, and most commonly performed by the St. Pat’s Dancers. They learned one full dance in this workshop. Dancers were asked to wear comfortable shoes with a small, chunky heel if possible (and tap or step dance shoes if they owned them). They worked up a sweat, so they dressed comfortably and brought water!

The Set from Griquet
Ford Elms (caller) and Dave Penny (accordion)

Dance caller Ford Elms lead dancers in a traditional Newfoundland set dance from his home community on the Northern Peninsula. This was a square set dance that Ford learned as a child growing up and going to family parties.

A Morris Dance Sampler
Jane Rutherford (caller) and Bob Rutherford (accordion)
Here was a chance to learn more about this ceremonial dance tradition from England.
This workshop showed the basics of several Morris Dance styles.
Bells, sticks and hankies were provided!

Sevillanas: A Spanish Folk Dance
Christina Penney (instructor) and Linda Guillemette (cajon), Tommy Duggan (guitar)
Sevillanas is a traditional Flamenco-style folk dance from the south of Spain.
It is danced by couples of all ages and sexes during celebrations such as fiestas,
and there are even night clubs devoted to playing Sevillanas music all night long!

From Scottish Dance to Contra Dance!
Noreen MacLennan & Keith Murphy (callers)
with music by Nightingale (Becky Tracy, Jeremiah McLane Keith Murphy)
Dance across the Atlantic Ocean in this workshop which focused on traditional country dances from Scotland and contra dances from New England.
Contra dancing is probably the most popular form of dance in North America.
Attendees found out why and how this dance style evolved from British country dances.