Newcastle Irish Set Dancers
Newcastle Irish Set Dancers conduct classes in Irish Set dancing - the social dancing of the Irish, young and old! The group is located in Newcastle, New South Wales (Australia) and is part of the Newcastle and Hunter Valley Folk Club.
Coming Events
** Note: events with 2 asterisks (**) on the left of the listing are Irish Set Dancing events. The others have only part (or none) of the event devoted to Irish Set Dancing.
Regular classes for Newcastle Irish Set Dancers every Tuesday from 7:30-9:00 pm (or maybe a little later...) at the John Young Community Hall, Thomas Street, Cardiff.
| Saturday, 27 June, 7:30-11:30 pm | Winter Wildness Bush Dance Wesley Hall, Hamilton. Newcastle & Hunter Valley Folk Club dance. |
| Saturday, 27 June, 8 pm | ** The Harp Irish Set Dancers Ceili The Gaelic Club (Surry Hlls, Sydney). |
| Saturday, 11 July, 7:30-11:30pm | Central Coast Bush Dance East Gosford Progress Hall. This month the Poor Person's Ball. Central Coast Bush Dance and Music Association. |
| Saturday, 18 July, 10:30am-4:30pm | Newcastle Ad-hoc Day of Dance #11 Cardiff Bowling Club. Myall Rd, Cardiff. |
| Saturday, 25 July from 7:30 pm | ** The Irish Gaelic Club Ceili The Gaelic Club (Surry Hlls, Sydney). The Coast Céilí Band. ($10). Future ceili dates: 26 September & 28 November. |
| Saturday, 25 July from 8 pm | RFDS Contra Dance Granville Town Hall (Carlton St., Granville). Pastrami on Ryebuck & Julie Bishop. ($17/14). Supper provided. Contact: John (9623 7551) or Leila (9896 8992). |
| Saturday, 22 August | BMC Subscription Ball Maitland Town Hall. The Bush Music Club's premier colonial ball with music by the Coalbrook Band. |
What is Irish Set Dancing?
Irish set dancing is social dancing usually in the form of square "sets" with four couples. This dance form is generally danced by adults and older children. Younger children (who are far more flexible and energetic usually participate in Irish Step dancing (see below). Each dance has several figures set to traditional Irish tunes such as reels, jigs, polkas or hornpipes.
The footwork ranges from simple stepping to fast battering steps. In set dancing you usually dance with a partner, yet in many figures also dance with one or more other members of the set. Most set dances have a social figure in which each lady dances with each gent and vice versa. Traditionally, set dances were not called, although during classes there will be calling to remind the dancers of the next movement.
Irish Set Dance Classes
Newcastle Irish Set Dance classes teach Irish Set dance where the steps specific to that dance are taught along with each figure of the dance. Each figure has a walk-through and time to practice movements and steps. We repeat figures to reinforce the dance elements and come back to these dances over the coming weeks. Dances are called until the dancers have become proficient at each figure.
Weekly dance sessions are held every Tuesday evening from 7:30 - 9:00 pm. No experience is necessary, but you should be aware that the dances are energetic and require at least moderate fitness. No Partner is needed. Classes are held at the John Young Community Hall, Thomas Street, Cardiff. The cost for the regular class is $3 (or $2 concession).
Some information about other types of folk dancing in the lower Hunter area are given in the Hunter Folk Dancers' page.
