If you’re looking for a fun evening out, with a workout to great live music …
1st and 3rd Mondays of each month (Feb-Dec, except Easter) and occasional extra 2nd Monday nights
Most nights are US contra dances, but sometimes we have French Balfolk dances and we occasionally have something else entirely. All our dances are fun, exciting and lively, with no dancing experience required.
Tickets are here and the dates are below
7:15 for 7:30-9:30pm
St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town (off Rupert Avenue just up the hill from Augusta Rd, enter behind church)
$7-16 at events.humanitix.com/monday or at the door.
Dates for 2026
6th July: Contra Dance with Ross Smithard & Friends
13th July: Balfolk Dance with La Voie de Wallaby – lively French folk dances to inspiring French tunes and songs on fiddle, accordion and vocals.
20th July: Contra Dance with Ross Smithard & Friends
3rd August: Contra Dance with Ross Smithard & Friends
10th August: Dances of Earthly Delights with the Jounce Ensemble. Lively dances to beautiful music inspired by the European dance traditions of the last 500 years, set in the mythical land of Bordonia. Dress in your favourite fantasy or historical outfit. Bordonia’s colours are purple and gold. Come early at 7:00 for 7:10pm if you wish to learn the role of one of the nobles in the Chess Dance.
17th August: Contra Dance with Ross Smithard & Friends
7th, 21st Sep
5th, 19th Oct
2nd, 16th Nov
7th, 21st Dec … bands and traditions yet to be confirmed (but the dates are set)
See also the events list to the right of this page, on facebook.com/folktas or facebook.com/groups/dancefolktasmania
Types of Dances
Contra
Contra dancing is a lively, social dance style from the USA which is moderately aerobic and highly addictive. Done to simple walking steps, it features flowing movements, swings and twirls, a chance to dance with everyone and the opportunity for improvisation (flourishes).
Hot tunes by Ross Smithard & Friends and occasionally other bands. Treat your ears to cracking new and old-time toons and support great, local, live music.
Get your endorphins flowing and your smile on.
All dances taught. No dancing experience or partner required.
All ages and identities welcome. Dress and attitude: casual. BYO water bottle.
7:15 for 7:30-9:30pm (warmup/beginner’s workshop 7:30-7:45)
More details: folktas.org/tascontra
Balfolk
A night of lively, fun Balfolk (French) folk dances, as danced at Bals and festivals in Europe such as the joyful Le Grand Bal de L’Europe at Gennetines in France, an amazing 14 day dance festival.
Inspiring music, from mesmerising to frenetic.
Dances range from the hypnotic Rondeau en couples to the athletic Le Danse de l’Ours (Bear Dance) and the sometimes chaotic Zelda.
Balfolk is great fun, with joyful music, many smiles and it’s a good workout.
All dances taught. No dancing experience or partner required.
All ages and identities welcome. Dress and attitude: casual. BYO water bottle.
Hungarian and Romanian Rroma and folk dances
Driven by Alana’s wild violin, chased by lutruwita/Tasmanian born Sofia on accordion, Vardos play folk and Romani music and have learnt from Rroma (Gypsy) and folk musicians in Hungary and Romania during their travels in Eastern Europe, most recently in 2025. Based in Naarm Melbourne, Australia, the band has toured internationally, released 6 albums and appeared in film and television. Much of their time in Eastern Europe has been centred around village dance music which they will share in this Monday Night Folk Dance. https://vardos.com.au/
Dances of Earthly Delights
Lively dances to beautiful music inspired by the European dance traditions of the last 500 years, set in the mythical land of Bordonia, including the Gates of Terpsichorea, the Druid’s Ring, the Palindrome and the Chess Dance (in which dancers play the role of chess pieces on a giant chess board). Music performed by the Jounce Ensemble. All dances called. No dancing experience or partner required. All ages and identities welcome.
Come early at 7 for 7:10pm if you wish to learn the role of one of the nobles in the Chess Dance. Otherwise, attend from 7:15 for 7:30pm.
FOLK FEDERATION OF TASMANIA INC
www.folktas.org/monday
folkdancetas@gmail.com
03 6273 2127
Facebook: Dance Folk Tasmania or Folk Federation of Tasmania
If you’re not smiling, you’re not dancing!