Hunter Folk Dancers

The Hunter Folk Dancers Web site is for dancers in Newcastle learning and performing Australian Colonial (and Bush), Scottish Country, English Country (including Playford), American Contra and Irish Set and Ceili Dancing - and for anyone else interested in these styles and forms of dancing.

The Hunter Folk Dancers are part of the Newcastle and Hunter Valley Folk Club.

Dance Classes

Australian Colonial dances (and Colonial style dances) range from very simple bush dances to more complicated and sophisticated multi-part dances. The roots lie in the Celtic tradition imported from the United Kingdom: mainly England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Dances range from those for separate couples in for combinations of between 3 and 16 dancers. Dances use traditional and modern tunes such as reels, jigs, polkas, waltzes, strathspeys, slides and hornpipes.

Australian Bush and Colonial Dancing

Beginners' classes from 2:00pm-4:00pm, 3rd Sunday of the Month. All Saints Anglican Hall, Cromwell Street, New Lambton. Enquiries: Margaret Kenning (0413 229 740 / <westwick@wix.com.au>).

The Hunter Folk Dancers run occasional dance sessions by invitation where we dance Australian colonial and bush dances, American contra dances, Scottish Country dances and English Country dances. We learn new dances and practice old favourites. Contact Julia or Arthur (4955 5701).

Irish Set Dance Classes

Newcastle Irish Set Dancers: Irish Set Dancing is social dancing usually in the form of square "sets" with four couples. Each dance is comprised of several figures with footwork ranging from simple stepping to fast battering steps. In set dancing you dance with your partner, yet in each figure each couple also dances with one or more of the other couples in the set. Arthur Kingsland and Julia Smith run classes for Irish Set dancing on Tuesday evenings (7:30-9:00+ pm - John Young Hall, Thomas Street, Cardiff 4955 5701).

Welsh & Cornish/Manx Dance Classes

The Hunter Welsh Dancers also have weekly classes. Margaret Kenning runs classes on Monday evenings (7:30 pm - All Saints Parish House, Cromwell Street, New Lambton). Enquiries to Margaret Kenning (0413 229 740 / <westwick@wix.com.au>).

Scottish Dance Classes

There are various Scottish Country dancing groups in Newcastle where a wide variety of Scottish Country dances can be learned, e.g.

Monday, 7:30pm
     Strath Hunter Scottish Dancers - Wallsend Uniting Church. Enq: Elma See (4943 3436)
Thursday, Juniors 4:15pm, Youth 5:30pm
     Strath Hunter Dancers - All Saints Hall New Lambton. Enq: Elma See (4943 3436)
Friday, 7:30pm
     Colleges - St Andrews Church, Adamstown.

Dance Instructions

This link provides an index to instructions for a number of the dances performed in classes and at Australian Colonial Balls and bush dances and in the Newcastle Irish Set Dancers dance classes (another form of dancing taught by Arthur and Julia). Another excellent set of online instructions for Australian bush and colonial dancing is maintained by Alastair & Wilma Wilson.

Contact details

For more information contact:
   Arthur Kingsland or Julia Smith Tel: 02 4955 5701
      Web: <http://users.tpg.com.au/juliasm/Irish-Dance/>