Folkdance Classes
Wellington
(Click here to see upcoming major events and socials in Wellington, Wairarapa and Kapiti instead.)
International Folk Dance
Classes are held every Wednesday through to early December, 7:30 - 9:15pm led most weeks by Cashy Yates, at Tarrant Dance Studios, 1st Floor, 125 Cuba Street, Wellington (near the top end of the mall). Occasional guest tutors.
Greek, Turkish, Israeli, Romanian, Bulgarian, Mexican and many other folk dances are performed with lots of laughter and energy. Dances are taught most weeks by Cashy Yates, or led by other experienced members of the group. Newcomers are very welcome and will be able to join in most dances. Partners are not required.
Tip: wear casual, light-weight clothes and comfortable shoes (no high heels) suitable for quick, vigorous movement. Please wear non-marking soft-souled shoes suitable for a moderate level of physical activity.
The timetable for the year is in 10-week terms, as follows:
Term 1: 17 Feb to 28 April (with 7 April, the Wednesday after Easter, off)
Term 2: 4 May to 7 July; 14 July off
Term 3: 21 July to 22 September (the last 4 of these are likely to be Dance Your Socks Off sessions)
Term 4: 28 Sept to 1 Dec
Group contacts:
- Jenny Hames tel. +64(4)476-4496, e-mail: hames. @ .paradise.net.nz
- Sonia Petrie, e-mail:
- Tutor: Cashy Yates, tel. +64(4)569-1618.
Single classes $8.00 ($5.00 for the unwaged); fee for 10-week term $60.00 ($40.00).
Other Folk and Ethnic Dance Communities
Click below for:
- Scottish
- Polish
- Contra - see our events page or the Wellington Contra website for dates
- Wellington Folk Club: www.acousticroutes.org.nz
- Wellington Folk Festival: wellingtonfolkfestival.org.nz
The Wellington Israeli group meets several days a week. Go to the Machol Pacifica website for class listings.
Contra dancing contacts:
- Mark +64(4)299-1136,
email:
- Liz Merton +64(4)568-7377
Wellington Hellenic Dancers: Contact Joanna Matsis 
Other Styles
This list only contains the few links the FDNZ webmaster has been appraised of and had time to insert. If you know of other websites, e-mail the webmaster (though there's no promises).
For a range of classes, workshops and courses, see the Wellington Performing Arts Centre website: www.wpac.org.nz (navigate to casual Childrens or Adult classes).
Rock and Roll
Feet With Heat is a rock-and-roll and Lindy Hop dance studio.
Latin American
Viva Latina Dance Company website: www.vivalatinadance.com - classes most days of the week around the region. Contact Alex (anytime): +64(4)385-3088 or +64(21)848253. E-mail: vivalatinadance@yahoo.co.nz.
Also check out Planet Salsa: www.smartgroups.com/groups/planetsalsa.
For events and workshops see the Salsadrome website: www.salsadrome.co.nz.
Dances Of Universal Peace
Uplifting and joyful, deep and meditative, the Dances use sacred chants and simple movements inspired by many spiritual traditions. Celebrate our diversity and experience our Unity. . . . if you can walk, you can dance . . .
All welcome.
Wellington: on 2nd Fridays of each month, 7:30pm - 9:00 pm - November 13, December 11. Note: no dance March 2010. Venue - see map: Theosophical Society Hall, 19 Marion Street, Te Aro, Wellington - through the library. Contact Gina, tel. +64(4)938-3484.
To find out where the dances happen elsewhere in New Zealand, go to dupanz.org.nz (click on Events Schedule) and for more about the dances in general, go to www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org.
Circle Dancing
We meet on the first Friday of each month, at 7.30pm, at the St
John's Church Hall, corner of Willis /Dixon St. $3.00 to cover
the cost of the hall. Off street parking available. Contact: Jaqueline
Perret, tel. +64(4)388-9432
Dervish Turning
This is practised regularly following the authentic form originating in Turkey within the Mevlevi order of Dervishes founded by Jallaluddin Rumi in the thirteenth century. People of all faiths are welcome to watch the turning ceremony. wellingtonstudygroup.org.nz (also see brsochure).
Things to Do
Click here to go to the Events page, which lists monthly and one-off socials, workshops and performances.
If you're in Wellington and wondering what to do one evening, try the Feeling Great pages. Alternatively there's the Kadmus Arts NZ Page, which lists festivals all over New Zealand.
Organising an Event?
If you'd like your folk dance or ethnic cultural event to be listed in our events page, contact the web master.
Something for dance organisers to note: the Wellington City Council grants page, and a bunch of hot tips circulated by the Wellington City Council are reproduced here... - and their index of grants is at:
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/grants/index.html
Also, don't miss the Get Set Go! courses for events organisers. See our Resources page for who to contact.
Last updated 16 February 2010
