. ~ bringing you enjoyment through dancing ~ .
Check both NEWS and EVENTS for more details.
~ TSDAV Diary Dates xxxx ~ click here for our latest Bulletin
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Announcing ~ Dance Composer's Competition 2025 winners -
Our congratulations go to the following entrants -
The Beatrice Klippel Memorial Trophy for General Social Dance
- to Cecilia Johnson of Melbourne for “The Murray Princess”- a 3 couple longways set with representation of the paddle wheels on either side of the set.
The VFMC Perpetual Trophy for dances for more Experienced Dancers
- awarded jointly to Peter Foster of Canberra for “Stellar Promenade” a 4 couple square set involving a newly devised move the “Stellar Promenade”,
and to Keith Wood of Sydney for “Lightning Ridge Opals” - a 4 couple longways set presenting the progress of fossicking or mining the rock to the final gemstones.
for full report - click here
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~ Dances for Dancers ~
The Next Sessions are on the 29th June & 6th July
~ Sundays in 2025 ~ 1:30 - 4:30 pm ~
for relaxed sessions of Interesting dances !
~ with Anne Archdeacon, & Norm Ellis ~
@ the Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills ( Melway 46 H11 )
😊 TSDAV members @ $7.- others @ $7.- 😊
NB - RSVP's are always appreciated.
Inquiries: George Ansell 9890 5650
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Other Dance Events -
~ Portarlington "Spring Dance Weekend" ~
NB - this year on : 7th - 9th Nov. 2025
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2025 Dance Comp. - has been Judged at the NFF (@ Easter)
~ winners will be anounced shortly ~
Entries in the competition will compete for one of the following awards:
Beat Klippel Memorial Trophy - Dances suitable for general social dancing,
VFMC Perpetual Trophy - Dances suitable for more experienced dancers
***** click link ~ Information for Entrants *****
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A Live Music Afternoon of
English & Welsh Country Dancing
music by Duncan Smith, Matthew Robertson & Philip Healey
& calling by George Ansell & Ian Kendall
Sunday 11th May 2025 1 - 5 pm $15.-
@ the Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills ( Melway 46 H11 )
Inquiries: George Ansell 9890 5650
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VFMC's Autumn Dance
with music by BLACKBERRY JAM
Sat. 24th May 2025 7:30 - 10:30 pm
@ Box Hill Community Arts Centre
https://events.humanitix.com/vfmc-may2025-autumn-dance
Inquiries: Bill 0417 300 682
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~ Dances for Dancers ~
~ Sunday 1st December 2024 ~ 1:00 - 5:00 pm * ~
" Special 'LIVE" music afternoon
of English & Welsh Dances "
~ click here for flier ~
NB * YES - extended time & special price !
@ the Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills ( Melway 46 H11 )
😊 NB : YES, it is our last session for our 2024 ! :-) 😊
Inquiries: George Ansell 9890 5650 &/or Ian Kendall 0419 899 488
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Portarlington 2024 flyer now available click here
CLICK HERE - for full program brochure & application/booking form
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~ Dances for Dancers ~
~ Sunday 1st September 2024 ~ 1:30 - 4:30 pm ~
" Dances for Spring "
another delightful selection of dances brought to you by Anne Archdeacon
YES, as well as being Father's Day, it is also the official FIRST DAY of SPRING :-)
@ the Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills ( Melway 46 H11 )
😊 TSDAV members @ $5.- others @ $7.- 😊
Inquiries: Norm Ellis 9888 5332
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~ Portarlington "Spring Dance Weekend" ~
NB - this year on : 8th - 10th Nov. 2024
& it is our "30th YEAR" at Portarlington !
We are set to return to Portarlington - for another full weekend of dancing !
Our guest teachers are 'locked in' - and bookings are now open :-)
Portarlington 2024 full broucher & booking form now available click here
6 dance workshops ~ plus a Sat. evening dance to live music -
‘more dances to keep you on your toes' !
PARKS HALL COMMUNITY CENTER Portarlington, Victoria.
(1.5 hrs drive SW of Melbourne, 20 mins past Geelong. Melways 239 F2)
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*** the VFMC will be Celebrating "Wattle Day" this year on ***
Saturday Sept 7th 2024
Senior Cit'z Hall Laurence Grv. Ringwood East
Last year's program - Dance Workshop 4:15 - 5:45 pm - 'The Jolly Swagman Collection'
The Wattle Day Dance - with Blackberry Jam 7:30 - 10:30 pm
See Wattle Day flier for details of full workshop program - click here
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Dinki Di Old Time Ball
8 pm Sat. 21st Sept 2024
St Andrews Hall, Myer St Bendigo
click here - for flier & program
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2023 Dance Comp. - entries WERE Judged at the NFF
The judges pronounced the Beatrice Klippel Memorial Trophy for General Social Dance
should jointly go to Patricia George of Wentworth Falls for An Anniversary Waltz, a Sicilian Circle dance,
and to Cecilia Johnson of Melbourne for Cloudehill Waltz, a longways set.
The VFMC Perpetual Trophy for dances for more Experienced Dancers goes to
Keith Wood of Sydney for Busselton Jetty, a four couple longways set changing to a circle mid-dance, and back again.
for the FULL REPORT - click here -
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~ Dances for Dancers ~
~ Sunday 6th August 2023 ~ 1:30 - 4:30 pm ~
for a feast of Winter themed dances !
~ from 'Snow Day', 'Rain on the Roof' & 'A Midwinter Maggot' to a 'Winter Garden' - 'Snow Joke' !!!
@ the Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills ( Melway 46 H11 )
😊 TSDAV members @ $5.- others @ $7.- 😊
Inquiries: Norm Ellis 9888 5332 OR George Ansell 9890 5650
NB relevant Covid safe practices will apply
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
YES ! it is ON again !!! ~ Portarlington "Spring Dance Weekend" ~
NB - this year a week later : 17th - 19th Nov. 2023
We are set to return to Portarlington - for a full weekend of dancing !
with guest teachers - Arthur Kingsland (Newcastle) & Don Richmond (Sydney),
plus Duncan Smith (Contra) & Joanne Thompson (International)
6 dance workshops ~ plus a Sat. evening dance to live music -
‘more dances to keep you on your toes' !
Details will be finalised shortly
PARKS HALL COMMUNITY CENTER Portarlington, Victoria.
(1.5 hrs drive SW of Melbourne, 20 mins past Geelong. Melways 239 F2)
CLICK HERE - for full program brochure & application form
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ 2023 new DANCE Competition ~ Results ~
We are pleased to announce the Winners of this year's Dance Competition -
The Beatrice Klippel Memorial Trophy for General Social Dance -
jointly to Peter Foster of Canberra for Summer Evening Waltz a “big circle” of couples
and to Cecilia Johnson of Melbourne for The Albert Cotillion a 4 couple square set,
& The VFMC Perpetual Trophy for dances for more Experienced Dancers
to Peter Foster for The Compass, a 4 couple longways set
involving re-orientation representing the four points of the compass.
click here to link to full report
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Don't miss it !
WATTLE DAY CELEBRATIONS SAT. 2nd September 2023
in person OR via ZOOM - including afternoon dance workshop @ 3:30
& evening dance @ 7:30
check with the VFMC website for latest info & program details
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
NB there will be NO "Dances for Dancers" in September,
as Norm will be running an afternoon dance workshop "Festive Frolics & Fancies"
as part of the VFMC's Wattle Day celebrations on Sat.2nd Sept.
see - http://www.vfmc.org.au/wattleday2023.php
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And YOU MAY HAVE MISSED - (look for it again in 2023)
An afternoon of English & Welsh dancing
with live music
Sunday 21st August 2022 1 - 5 pm
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2022 Dance Comp. Results -
Our Congratulations go to
Cecelia Johnson (for "Ursula's Fancy") & Peter Foster (for "Simply Elegant")
joint winners of the Beatrice Klippel Memorial Award,
and to
Keith Wood (for "Crossing the Divide") winner of the VFMC Award.
Update 28.05.22 -
Keith has added TSDAV winners to the Dance Kaleidoscope animations:
Crossing the Divide - http://dancekaleidoscope.org.au/dance.html#CrossingTheDivide
Simply Elegant - http://dancekaleidoscope.org.au/dance.html#SimplyElegant
Ursula's Fancy - http://dancekaleidoscope.org.au/dance.html#UrsulasFancy
click here to link to full report
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From the 2022 National -
NFF 2022 “The Welcome Dance”
click here for program
+
NFF 2022 "HERITAGE BALL" ~ Program & Dance Instructions, & Videos ~
click for details
&
NFF 2022 “OLD TIME TEA DANCE”
click here for program
RESUMPTION OF OUR ACTIVITIES - we started back on 5th Dec. 2021
~ we’re back ! ~ bringing you enjoyment through dancing ~ TSDAV’s ‘11th Hour’ Dance Workshops 2021
~ Dances for Dancers ~ Sunday 3rd April 2022 ~ NB: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
featuring: ‘Dances with a Difference’ - & more !
ie dances we haven’t been able to do on ZOOM !!!
All (double vaxed) dancers are welcome
@ the Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills ( Melway 46 H11 )
😊 TSDAV members @ $5.- others @ $7.- 😊
Inquiries: Norm Ellis 9888 5332 OR George Ansell 9890 5650
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The last ZOOM dance - courtesy of the Victorian Folk Music Club -
was held on Sat 19th March - "4 seasons"
7:30 - 9:30 pm
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We also held a RE-OPENING / RECOVERY PICNIC -
A social afternoon get together & impromptu dance ~ Sat 20th November 2021 ~
@ Westerfolds Park "BYO Everything" - from 3pm until stumps ! { Melway P33 E/F 2 }
COVID UPDATE - this gathering will remain a "Double Vax" ONLY event !
- we will have QR registration & a register of VAX status of attendees - to ensure that we are compliant with the latest regulations !
But we won't have to wear masks while dancing :-)
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Regrettably, there has been a shortage of 'DANCES FOR DANCERS' sessions during 2021
However we are planning to resume
on 5th December 2021and continue in 2022
(in compliance with Covid restrictions then in force)
- Diary Dates -
And 2022 dates are: 6th February / 6th March / 3rd April / 1st May / 5th June / 3rd July / 7th August /
3rd September - Wattle Day / 2nd October /
12th November @ Portarlington / 4th December .
We will keep our fingers crossed for no more lock-downs this year ???
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VALE Edmond James "Eddie" Scott
18th December 1931 - 19th November 2022
Fond memories of Eddy and his band, ‘Limeburner's Boot’.
He was an integral part of our early days of Bush Dancing in Melbourne, and we will be forever grateful for that.
Father of Daniel (dec), Andrew and Michael. Former husband of Margaret (nee Wallace).
Grandfather of Eleanor, Madeleine, Matthew and Christopher. Brother of Geoff (dec), Pat (dec) and Marie.
Died after a short illness and a long life.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
VALE ~ Dennis Jones 17-10-2021
We have previously announced with regret that there will be NO PORTARLINGTON DANCE WEEKEND this year (2021) :-(
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Results of TSDAV AGM for 2020 - held Thurs 9th Sept 2021
- all 2019 memberships carried forward until Nov. 2021
- NEW REDUCED flat rate membership fees approved @ $10.- pa - link to memberships
- resumption of activities announced - link to Diary Dates 2022
*subject to 'Covid restrictions' applicable at the time(for the time being this will include a "NO jab / NO entry" policy)
Past events
WATTLE DAY CELEBRATIONS
SAT. 4TH SEPTEMBER 2021
in person OR via ZOOM - including afternoon dance workshop & evening dance
check with the VFMC website for latest info & program details
The 2021 National Folk Festival has been cancelled, for the second year in a row
In March this year the pandemic changed the festival and events landscape and the National Folk Festival was among the first major events in Australia to cancel in response
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Victorian Folk Music Club Inc. is presenting another ZOOM dance on Saturday 17th October, 7:30 - 9:30 pm.
virtual dancing courtesy of the Victorian Folk Music Club - Online each THIRD Saturday of the month -
~ with a themed program of dances ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2020 Dance Comp. - entries have closed ~ “Australian Contemporary Folk Dances” ~
Entries for the 2020 competition are now closed -
judged in TWO categories
#1 General Social Dance & #2 for More Experienced Dancers
Entries were to be received by 20th Feb. 2020
Click here for link to full details
We are in hopes that these will be judged at the 2022 NFF
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
REGULAR EVENT ~
TSDAV Dance Workshops : previously called ‘11th Hour’ Dance Workshops, now " Dances for Dancers "
"Dances for Dancers"
COME AND TRY THEM OUT !
most 1st Sundays - 1:30 - 4:30 pm
at the Church of Christ Hall,
1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills. 3127 ( Melways 46 H11 )
NB ~ No longer @ The Eleventh Hour Theatre Hall,
All dancers are welcome Inquiries: Norm Ellis 9888 5332. George Ansell 9890 5650.
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~ YES ! Oh dear, you've missed it ! ~
and what a great weekend of dancing it was !
Spring Dance Weekend 8th – 10th November 2019
~ Dancing at the Village by the Sea ! ~ “Dancing Around the World !” ~
A whole weekend of dance workshops & evening dances !
PARKS HALL COMMUNITY CENTER Portarlington, Victoria.
(1.5 hrs drive SW of Melbourne, 20 mins past Geelong. Melways 239 F2)
# Don Richmond – Australian, # Keith Wood – Contra, # Kim South – Scottish, # Leanne Stute - Ballroom, # Luba Baksheev – Russian, # George Ansell – Evolving Reels, # Norm Ellis - a Surprise Selection, # and a Dance Music Workshop !
Full Program Brochure - click here Application Form now available - click here
Accommodation suggestions - click here
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WATTLE DAY - What's it all about ? ~ Wattle Day on "Bush Telegraph"
" WATTLE DAY "
~ Sat 7th Sept. 2019 ~
*** click here for details - flyer
~ celebrate in conjunction with the VFMC's regular 1st Sat. Bush Dance ~
Saturday 7th September 2019
2 different Dance Workshops - morning Maypole: 11:00 - 12:00pm
& Wattle Waltzes & other Springtime Delights: 3:30 - 5:30 pm
and a Family Bush Dance in the evening.
with Blackberry Jam Bush Band ~ 7:30 - 10:30 pm
Ringwood East Senior Citizens Hall Laurence Grove, Melway 50 B8
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
TSDAV’s Dance Workshops 2019 ~ Dances for Dancers ~
~ the next session will be replaced by the afternoon dance workshop at Ringwood,
as part of the VFMC's Wattle Day celebrations on
Sat. 7th September ~ NB: 3:30 – 5:30 pm
" Wattle Waltzes & other Spring Delights! "
@ Senior Citizen’s Hall, Lawrence Grv. Ringwood East ( Melway 50 B8 )
& thereafter ~Sunday - 6th October, 1st December 1 - 4 pm
All dancers are welcome
Inquiries: Norm Ellis 9888 5332 OR Jane Bullock 9762 1389 ~ < www.vfmc.org.au >
Link to VFMC’s Wattle Day info page – click here &/or full program flyer – click here
*** ~ plus two other events of interest ~
1st Sept. & 19 Oct.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Many thanks to all of you who came and supported our
"A Dance for Dancers" at this year's National Folk Festival.
"A Dance for Dancers" Friday 19th April, 2019 - 12:30 to 14:30, in the Coorong.
link to "A Dance for Dancers" NFF 2019 ~ Program / Instructions & Videos
A Dance for Dancers ~ with "Cue & Do"
"Cue and Do" are the TSDAV’s Norm Ellis calling, and musicians drawn from the Melbourne Colonial Dancers Band. Presenting a high intensity Dance for Dancers, with a minimum of fuss: briefed and called, but mostly NOT walked through, structured for experienced dancers and maximum enjoyment.
Keith Wood has uploaded new animations for to his excellent page @ http://www.dancekaleidoscope.org.au/dance.html
Announcing the winners of this year's Dance Competition
The Beatrice Klippel Memorial Trophy for General Social Dance :
Cecilia Johnson's dance "Floriade",
& the VFMC Perpetual Trophy for a dance for More Experienced Dancers :
Keith Wood's dance "Monkey Mia Dolphins". ~ click here for link to full report
* * * * * * *
VALE - Daryl John POWELL OAM
- the following Tribute was posted by the NFF in their latest NEWS release -
* * * * * *
> > > > > SORRY FOLKS ~ you have missed our recent
Spring Dance Weekend 9th – 11th November 2018
A whole weekend of dance workshops & evening dances !
“Springing into Springtime”
* Kim South - Scottish, Roger Gifford - 'Scandi Squares', Keith Wood - Contra,
Audrey Fine - European / Middle Eastern, Darren Taylor - Square Dance,
George Ansell - recent Aussie dances, Alan Musgrove - Dance Music workshop.
PARKS HALL COMMUNITY CENTER Portarlington, Victoria.
(1.5 hrs drive SW of Melbourne, 20 mins past Geelong. Melways 239 F2)
Click for Info: ~ flyer &/or Full Program
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Our recent events ~ "The Last Chance" ~ last year's
“OLD TIME TEA DANCE”
* has been held for ONE last time !
Music by The Gay Charmers and Friends
Sat. 11th August 2018
Dancing from 4:30pm to around 9:30pm
St David's Uniting Church Hall 74 Melville Rd. Brunswick West
for flyer & Program - click here & for 'set dance' notations - click here
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
NFF 2018 "HERITAGE BALL" ~ Program & Dance Instructions, & Videos ~
click here for details
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2018 Dance Competition Winners announced - Report - Congratulations Keith Wood for Green Apple Quickstep & Eureka
TSDAV Members Day ~ AGM & Hoedown ~ Sat 24th Feb. @ 6:30pm ~ at the Ashburton Uniting Church Hall ~ 3 Ashburn Grove, Ashburton ~ ( Melways 60 D 10 ) ~ followed @ 8pm by the Hoedown !
Sadie Hawkins Day Hoedown
Taking a trip back in time to DOGPATCH U.S.A.
??? Why Sadie Hawkins ???
# building upon our successful Hoedown theme: recapture the naive innocence of past times, a la "The Beverly Hillbillies" & Al Capp's "Li'l Abner"
'Sadie Hawkins Day' is Capp's masterfully satirical take on our "Leap Year / 29th Feb." traditions.
So, come and join the fun, at our Sadie Hawkins Day Hoedown !
~~~ Sat. 24th Feb. 2018 ~~~
at the Ashburton Uniting Church Hall ~ 3 Ashburn Grove, Ashburton ~ ( Melways 60 D 10 )
For printable flyer - click here & for Dance program - click here
link to some 'Valentines Day' dances - click here
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Spring Dance Weekend 10th – 12th November 2017
A whole weekend of dance workshops & evening dances !
“In Remembrance of Times and Traditions past”
PARKS HALL COMMUNITY CENTRE Portarlington, Victoria.
(1.5 hrs drive SW of Melbourne, 20 mins past Geelong. Melways 239 F2)
Click for Info: ~ flyer &/or Full Program
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017 Dance Comp ~ Congratulations to both winners - Peter Gamble & Kathy Potter. - for details see report in NEWS section, and Full Report in Dance Competition section. Norm presented both winners with their freshly engraved Trophy and medallion, at the recent Bundanoon DanceFest. ~ go to NEWS ~ OR see photos - here (Peter) & here (Kathy)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Other announcements ~
~ news from the 50th National ~
It is also of special interest to note in the 50th year of the National Folk Festival, that our TSDAV founding President, and mentor, Shirley Andrews (dec'd), was the chair person of the organising committee for the very first National ! Shirley started research into early Australian dances for the Victorian Folk Music Club (VFMC) in 1959, and in the '70s, published "Take Your Partners - Traditional Dancing in Australia".
We also thank the VFMC for continuing to support Shirley's legacy through the TSDAV, by sponsoring both of our dance awards.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Our most recently published TSDAV Dance Books
"Australian Contemporary Folk Dances"
Numbers 7, 8 & 9
* * * * *
Our Founder & Mentor - Shirley Andrews
- read more - see About Us / Identities
* * * * *
We hope that you will find it both useful, and easy to navigate your way around.
We are continuing to build the site with more content as we go.
- now hosted by Mooball IT
~ Dances for Dancers ~
~ Sunday 5th May 2024 ~ 1:30 - 4:30 pm ~
- some 'themed' & Seasonal dances -
May Day / Planting the May / The Sweets of May
Autumn Gifts / Leaves of Autum / Autumn Colours
& more . . .
@ the Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills ( Melway 46 H11 )
😊 TSDAV members @ $5.- others @ $7.- 😊
Inquiries: Norm Ellis 9888 5332 OR George Ansell 9890 5650