Experience the joy of dancing to wonderful music, with friendly people. All dances taught. No partner or dancing experience required. All ages and identities welcome.
Dance include bush dances, balkan dances, regency dances, renaissance dances, Irish ceilis, Scottish ceilidhs, contra, Balfolk, Klezmer, Steampunk, contemporary and traditional Australian dances.
For dates, see below.
The Folk Federation of Tasmania runs three regular public dances in Hobart:
End of month dances: Folk dances or balls in different traditions – four hours of great live music by Tasmania’s finest folk dance bands. Last Saturday of each month, March to November (except Easter), at St James Hall. See folktas.org/hobartdances.
TasContra: US contra dances (and sometimes some squares) – 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, Feb-Dec (except Easter), at St James Hall. Hot tunes by Ross Smithard and Up Jumped Trouble. See folktas.org/tascontra. Occasionally, we instead do Balfolk dances (lively, fun, French dances) with other bands.
Danceoholics Unanimous: An eclectic mix of fun dances from different traditions, to fine and lively, usually recorded, music. 2nd Friday of each month, Feb-Dec (except Easter), at St James Hall. See folktas.org/danceoholics.
As one recent newcomer told us, “I laughed so much, my jaw hurt … Thanks for a great night.”
Bush? Contra? Square? Ceilidh? Folk? Whatever you call it, it’s great fun, good
exercise, an easy way to meet people, good for all ages, inexpensive, great for your mental and physical health, releases those endorphins, blows away the cobwebs and the blues, makes you laugh, burns off those calories, builds social capital and increases the joy in the world! Come and join us. You’ll be wondering why it took you so long.
Dates for 2023:
End of month dances: Last Saturday of each month March-Nov (except Easter)
Masked Mediaeval and Renaissance Ball with Jounce Ensemble, 25th March ’23
Buttongrass Ball with HOT String Band, 29th April ’23
Celtic Ceili with Intergalactic Shamrock, 27th May ’23
Bush Dance with the Tassie Devil’s Own, 24th June ’23
Klezmer + Balfolk Dance Party with Plumb, Meyers, McNamara and Pribac, 29th July ’23
Heritage Bush Dance with Tasmanian Heritage Fiddle Ensemble, 26th August ’23
Old-time Dance Party with Ross Smithard & Up Jumped Trouble, 30th September ’23
Old-time Music Workshops with Craig Woodward (Melb), 30th September ’23
Balkan Roma Dance with Xenos, Friday 13th October ’23 (Bonus Friday night)
Scottish Ceilidh with Ebony and Ivory (NZ), 28th October ’23
Derwent Regency Festival, 24-27/11/23
Monday Night Folk Dances 2023: First and third Monday of each month, Feb-Dec (except Easter)
Feb 6*, 20*, Mar 6, 20*, Apr 3, 17, May 1, 15, Jun 5, 19; Jul 3, 17; Aug 7, 21; Sep 4*, 18*; Oct 2, 16; Nov 6, 20*; Dec 4, 18.
*Most nights are US contra dances: See TasContra but some are Balfolk nights (lively French folk dancing) – Feb 6, 20, Mar 20, Sep 4 and 18, Nov 20.
Contra Dance Intro and Workshop, Sun 26/3/23
Danceoholics Unanimous 2023: Second Friday of each month, Feb-Dec (except Easter)
Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12, Jun 9; Jul 14 (we’ll be away); Aug 11; Sep 8; Oct 13 (see special Xenos dance instead); Nov 10; Dec 8
Other dances:
Feb 6, 20 and Mar 20, Sep 4 and 18: Balfolk Dances (lively, fun, French dances)
See also Facebook: Dance Folk Tasmania or Folk Federation of Tasmania.