Where to go for information about getting involved in folk dancing, dance bands and instructions for folk dancing.
Major dance events are now listed on our public Facebook page and in the panel on the right.
See our Venues Page for information on venues.
Dance Bands – Some information about some of the bands who play for dances in Tasmania, including some of their own web sites
The Tango is Tasmanian – old time and set dances of Tasmania (dance book)
The Overland Track Suite – dances for Tasmania’s wilderness (dance book)
Down Under Contra 2 – contains some Tasmanian dances (contact folkdancetas@gmail.com for copies)
Regular Dance Events/Classes/Sessions
We advise you to check with the venues or organisers of regular events before travelling – sometimes sessions and regular events cease, change, or miss a week. While we give the latest information we have here, some of it may be out of date!
If you know that an event has changed, please let us know via email to news@folktas.org
North – Dance
Every Tuesday: Scottish Country Dancing at Burnie
FFT Burnie Scottish Country Dancers dance on Tuesday evenings at St George’s Hall, Cattley St, Burnie, from 7.30 to 9.30pm. The group is small and includes dancers at all levels, so beginners are welcome. There are no age limits but younger children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Partners are welcome but not required! The cost is only $5 per person, to cover hall costs. Regular dancers join the group’s ‘phonetree’ and pay the group $5 per year to cover insurance and administration costs. We have supper after dancing on the first Tuesday of the month.
For more information, contact Simon Nettleton <simon@nettleton.id.au> or phone 0428 144 712
FFT The Reel Scottish Country Dancers, Launceston:
Every second Saturday
Contact: Tony Northey <tonynorthey@gmail.com> or phone 03 6331 8892
SACRED CIRCLE DANCE
Sacred Circle Dance-NW Coast
Outdoor Program October – March
Every 1st & 3rd Monday Evening
7pm – 8pm at Bell’s Parade, Latrobe
Please Note: this is a FREE program.
Sacred Circle Dance-NW Coast
Indoor Program April – September
Every 1st & 3rd Monday Evening 7pm – 8pm at
Melaleuka Home of the Aged Community Room
Please Note: $5 covers room hire
No experience necessary
“the wonder of circle dance is that the steps are so easy to follow; we tap into the source
that inspired our ancestors”
Irish Dancing, Launceston: Contact Aileen Poynter, poyntdel@bigpond.net.au or 03 6331 2246
Launceston School of Bellydance – Are you interested in learning Middle Eastern dance? A great way to keep fit and flexible and have a lot of fun (and admirers). Contact Vicki, 6331 8668 or Mara, 6331 102
Clogging in NW Tas:
Penguin – Monday evening.
Wynyard – Tuesday evening. Burnie – Wednesday evening.
Contact Jan Collins 0415 922 433 or
cradlecoastcloggers@gmail.com
For information about clogging, go to www.cloggingaustralia.com
What is clogging?
It’s not Dutch – and we don’t wear wooden shoes!
Originally from the Appalachian mountains in USA, it is a tap-style dance with traditional links to Bluegrass and Old Time string band music. In its modern form, clogging is choreographed to all different types of music, and in Australia it is generally taught in a casual and friendly club atmosphere.
South – Dance
Last Saturday of each month March-Nov (except Easter) – but see panel to the right for special events: Themed folk dances with great live bands, St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town (off Rupert Avenue, opposite Blue Gum, enter behind church), 7:15 for 7:30pm, $19 / $17 (conc.) / $16 (memb.) / $10 (student special).
Info: 03 6273 2127 or folkdancetas@gmail.com. Spirited dancing to fantastic live music by Tasmania’s finest dance bands. Dances include bush dances, balkan dances, mediaeval and renaissance dances, Irish ceilidhs, Scottish ceilidhs, contra dances, contemporary and traditional Australian dances.
See full details of particular dances on Dance Folk Tasmania! or in the panel on the right of this page. #hobartfolkdances
Second Friday of each month (other than January and Easter): Danceoholics Unanimous is an informal group of people who get together on the second Friday of each month to laugh, chat and dance a lot. We do an eclectic mix of folk dances from different traditions (e.g., Australian, Contra, Irish, Earthly Delights, English Country, Scandinavian, …) for those who want to try something different, or can’t wait until the end of month dance.
7:15 for 7:30-10pm then supper, St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town (off Rupert Avenue, opposite Blue Gum, behind church).
See folktas.org/danceoholics for details or trybooking.com/YQXR for tickets
Note: We don’t usually hold Danceoholics in January, because it usually clashes with Cygnet Folk Festival, but if the festival does not clash, we may well be holding Danceoholics. Contact us to check.
#hobartfolkdances
TasContra: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, Feb-Dec (except Easter)
7:15 for 7:30-9:30pm (including quick beginner’s/refresher workshop at 7:30 so if you’ve not been before, try to be there at the start)
St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town (off Rupert Avenue, opposite Blue Gum, enter behind church)
See folktas.org/tascontra for details or trybooking.com/YPTO for tickets
If you’re not smiling, you’re not dancing!
#hobartfolkdances
FFT Oatlands Scottish Country Dancers on Tuesdays
Meeting at Gay St Community Hall in Oatlands at 7pm every Tuesday, after a warm-up the friendly group dance until 10pm with a break for supper. With the emphasis on fun, Robert teaches interesting dances to ALL levels of dancers. Cost is $5, tea, coffee,biscuits supplied. Novices are always welcome and there is almost always at least one car heading up from Hobart around 6pm. Social dances happen a couple of times a year.
For class information please SMS (not ring) Robert on 0408290954 or email rttasmail@gmail.com
For transport from Hobart ring/text/email Sarah 0409218414 tasdancingfeet@gmail.com
OSCD is supported by Southern Midlands Rural Primary Health Services
Learn Mediaeval Dance. Last Tuesday of the month, at hall under grandstand at showground. 7.30pm. Cost $7 but only $2 if you pay for SCA membership for the year (around $35 a year). $5 first time if you don’t sign up to be a member. (We have to charge the $5 extra to non-members because of insurance issues.)
For further info, contact Jill on 0407 057 931 (outside business hours).
Hora Tasmania (Israeli Dancing) at Caledonian Society Hall, 31 Homer Ave, Moonah, Wednesdays 9-11am
Venue: Caledonian Society Hall, 31 Homer Avenue, Moonah
Off Springfield Avenue, right hand side as you go up
Cost : $5
Footwear: Suitable soft soled shoes
Enquiries: Michiko 6273 6327, 0423 173 497 or michiko.gough@gmail.com
The Hobart Multicultural Dance Group is an informal group of people who meet weekly to share folk dances from a range of cultures (e.g. Israel, Greece, the Balkans) and contemporary Circle Dances choreographed using traditional steps. We also occasionally host visiting dance teachers and run workshops. You are welcome to join us at our regular dances. No previous experience is expected.
Recreational Folk and Circle Dance
Every Thursday, 7:30-9:30pm, St James Hall, Rupert Av, New Town. Cost is $5/$4.
“Sacred Circle Dancing”
The third Sunday in each month, 7-9pm followed by supper, St James Hall, Rupert Av, New Town. Cost is $5/$4, and bring a contribution to a shared supper.
For further information contact:
Peter & Krista Sands 03 6227 8471, email Peter Sands
Kate Shaw: 03 6229 2752
Join us in some friendly dancing to the strathspeys, reels and jigs of Scotland
TASCAL Scottish Country Dance Group Hobart
melroome1@bigpond.com, 0439 918 994
or ord.sally@gmail.com, 03 6249 8880
Meet Thursday evenings 7.30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Caledonian Society Hall, 31 Homer Avenue, Moonah.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/367564940111227/
Affiliated with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society in Scotland. http://www.rscds.org/
Weekly: Irish Dancing Classes Hobart (Adults and Children).
Youth: Monday & Saturday
Adult: Wednesday
Please contact Bronwyn Kelly on 0406 872 425 or hobartirishdancing@yahoo.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scoil-Rince-Ni-Kelly/597361766942874
Authentic Greek dancing classes
Hellenic Dancers Hobart
Centre of Hellenic Cultural Studies
65 Federal Street, North Hobart
Tasmania 7000
(in the main hall at the back, or upstairs in the front building – entrance on the Glebe/ car park exit side)
Children/Youth:
Intermediate class: Fridays 6pm – 7pm
Advanced Class: Weds 6:30pm-8pm
Adult class as requested, please contact Anastazia as below.
anastaziahisiridis@gmail.com
0498 940 603
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hellenic-Dancers-Hobart/201693319964905
The Jolley Hatters Morris dancers teach dance, practise weekly and have done so for 20 years, and dance out regularly at paying and volunteer gigs. We have a membership age range of 18 to 75 but most of us are in our early 50’s and enjoy the mental and physical exercise and companionship that comes from being a member of a Morris side. The dances taught are as preserved by Sharp at the beginning of the last century with precise stepping and preservation of English regional distinctiveness. Morris music is always live with the musician part of the dance and this over the years, has been instrumental in introducing a number of fine musicians to folk music.
So that’s what we are about, where else can you learn to caper, do whole heys and rant to make the road to hell so much more fun?
To get involved please contact: Diana Davies, Squire, Jolley Hatters Morris
Email:Diana.Davies@csiro.au Phone: 0423 652 431 FB: https://www.facebook.com/jolleyhattersmorris/

Regular and special Swing Dance events – see www.TasSwing.com.au
Line Dancing: Thursday nights at Orielton, 7pm; Monday nights at Buckland, 7pm. Contact Kathy Mace, rnkmace.woodsden@bigpond.com, 0419 553 594
Square Dance groups:
Casino City Square Dance Club: 03 6244 2144, 7 Balamara St, Bellerive
Dance calendar from dancecal.info
(Please note that the calendar is updated less frequently than our Forthcoming Events page, so always consult the Forthcoming Events page first. More details of regular events can be found above.)
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