Friendly Neighbourhood
Social Dance Groups
Mondays
NOTE: Most social groups cannot report their new season dates until late summer because the venues will not commit until then. Information will be posted here as it becomes available.
Scarborough 2025: May 12 ~ SCARBOROUGH’S FINAL FLING (for the season)
Well to those who “Survived” the “Scarborough Specials” class … give yourselves a “pat on the back” … they were not “easy peasy”!
“Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder” has a “flow of formations” clockwise and counter (anti) clockwise in the beginning & end sections, supposedly to represent water going down the plughole in different directions. This depicts the fact that legendary fiddler & band leader Ian Powrie from Perth in Scotland spent 25 years in Perth Australia.
As if “Fergus McIver” (aka Waverly) wasn’t difficult enough, Hugh Foss (famed “code breaker” at Bletchley Park Cypher Centre inn WWII) decided to make a “fugue” out of it called “Fugal Fergus”. Then also comes Scarborough’s first teacher John Christie who creates a “Scarborough Special” of dancing Fergus McIver from 1st place followed by Fugal Fergus from 2nd place, “YIKES”!
On our “Final Fling” we’ll have requested dances ONLY, sans fugues or 5-Couple dances “PHEW”!
Download: May-12-Final-Fling.docx
Dance Info: Faery-Cradle-by-Donalda.docx Garry_Strathspey.docx John_of_Bon_Accord.docx Monymusk.docx
Shiftin'_Bobbins-Jute_Journalism_Jam.docx Swiss_Lassie.docx The_Gentleman.docx The_White_Heather_Jig.docx
Don’t forget to bring some treats to share at the break, as “caring is sharing”! We’ll then be on vacation till September likely resuming Monday, September 8th, as you can’t normally drag people back from the cottage over Labour Day weekend!
… HISCD Nigel & Lourdes
Instructor: Nigel Keenan 416.762-3060 | Contact: Lourdes Genosa 416.762-3060
▶︎ Royal Canadian Legion Woodbine Heights Br. 22, 1240 Woodbine Ave, East York <map>
Enter carpark off Dunkirk Ave, immediately North of the Legion. When you see the mural of Spitfires and ships, get ready to turn.
Tuesdays
Bloorlea 2025: Jan 7 to May 13
Join us as we dance in the bright and spacious Meeting Room at the Alderwood Centre, 2 Orianna Drive, Etobicoke, ON M8W 4Y1, just west of Brown's Line off Horner Avenue <map>.
Plenty of free parking in the lot in front of the main doors.
For all levels of dancers. Cost: $5 per class.
Please note: Masks are optional. Hand sanitizer will be provided for use between dances.
Please bring your own water.
Instructor & Contact: Arlene Koteff 416.272-7217
Clairside (the group formerly known as Tayside Morning) 2025: Jan 7 to May
10:30am - noon
The Tayside Morning Group has been welcomed to a different church in the same neighbourhood, and we changed our name to avoid confusion with Tayside Evening Group, which also has a new location (see below). Clairside is branding itself as a low impact class. If the spring has sprung from your steps, and you don’t like driving at night (especially in the winter), then perhaps Clairside is the class for you!
Teacher: Blair Gerrie 416.651-8933
Contact: Sandra Charlesworth 416.901-7723
We invite any interested dancers (beginners welcome) to join us on Tuesday mornings, at:
Clairlea Park Presbyterian Church, 3236 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON M1L 1V7
( • just east of Pharmacy Ave. • lots of free parking behind the church, off Eastdale Crescent )
Clairlea Park Church is on a bus route, and two blocks from Warden Subway
Don Mills 2025: Jan 7 to May 27
We dance Tuesday evenings in a very nice space, with a good wood floor.
We have a jovial, life-long dancer for our teacher: Sandra Scott.
Join us on the dance floor for an easy and pleasant social evening (with appropriate protocols).
Cost is $5 per class.
Banbury Community Centre, 120 Banbury Road, (S. off York Mills W. of Leslie) <map> Lots of free parking.
Instructor: Sandra Scott 416.447-0157 | Contact: Anne Anderson 416.449-1898
Erin Mills website 2025: Jan 14 to mid-May
(off Hurontario and S of Dundas — Go west on Floradale, TR onto Mimosa Row) <map>
Instructor: Keith Bark 905.822-1707 | Contact: Deirdre MacCuish Bark 905.822-1707
This is a beginner-friendly class. All levels of skill and experience are welcome.
We teach steps and formations early in the evening.
Tayside (7:30pm - 9:30) 2025: Jan 7 to mid-May
All dancers are invited to join the class (beginners included), to enjoy Blair Gerrie’s skillful
instruction and interesting dances. Masks are optional.
First Hungarian Presbyterian Church, 95 Jonesville Crescent <map>
Contact: Barbara Grisdale 416.759-4275
Orillia (non affiliated with RSCDS Toronto) 2025: Jan 07 to July 15 (and we participate in the Orillia Scottish Festival: Saturday Jul 19)
56 West St. N. (corner of Coldwater Road and West Street)
Cost: $3 per class Contact: Barbara Chapman
Note, at the end of our season we demo at Orillia Scottish Festival which is July 19th 2025!
Peterborough website (non affiliated with RSCDS Toronto) 2025: Jan 07 to …
Social dances are held Friday evenings at 7pm, usually on the third Friday of the month.
And our annual Scottish Country Dance Weekend at Stoney Lake will be May 23 – 25, 2025.
We dance at St. John’s Anglican Church Hall, 99 Brock St, Peterborough <map>
Monthly Friday social dances, with music by Blair Mackenzie & Helen Batten
For further details, contact Kathy Armstrong
Wednesdays
Glenview website 2025: Jan 8 to May 14
for those with some previous experience. The wearing of masks is optional but encouraged.
Glenview Presbyterian Church, 1 Glenview Avenue <map>
(West of Yonge; 3 blocks S of Lawrence; off Duplex or Glengrove)
Instructor: Moira Korus 647.378-5753 Contact: Valerie Fisher 416.497-4186
Humbercrest 2025: Jan 15 to …
Humbercrest United Church, 16 Baby Point Road (Jane & Annette) <map>
Instructor: Deirdre MacCuish Bark 905.822-1707
Contact: Barbara Kalmuk 416.766-3879
Beginner friendly; all levels welcome.
King Edward Scottish Country Dancers — Barrie (not-affiliated with RSCDS Toronto) 2025: Jan 8 to May 21
Cost is $6 per night, and first night is free for new dancers.
Masks are optional.
We dance on a really good wood floor at:
Unity Christian High School, 25 Burton Avenue, Barrie L4N 2R3 <map>
Instructor: Bill Scott 705.737-2493 | Contact: Susan Scott 705.737-2493
Cobourg Scottish Country Dancers (not-affiliated with RSCDS Toronto) 2025: Jan 8 to June 11
Mixed ability levels
Adults or young adults, join us in a welcoming atmosphere! No fancy shoes, no kilt, no partner needed!
Bring your own water; hand sanitizer provided.
C.R. Gummow School, 311 Cottesmore Ave, Cobourg, ON K9A 4E3 <map>
For further info: Diane Coulombe cobourgscd@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday June 29 at 3pm — All are welcome to our annual dance in the grandiose Concert Hall in Cobourg, Ontario. We’ll have suitably grand live music by Blair Mackenzie on fiddle and Helen Batten on piano.
Tickets are just $25, and must be purchased in advance.
For tickets, contact joanne.racic@gmail.com For further info: cobourgscd@gmail.com
Downloads: 2025-Cobourg-Dance-Poster.pdf 2025-Cobourg-Dance-cribs+links.pdf
Thursdays
Trinity website 2025: Jan 9 to May 15
Welcome to Trinity’s 51st season of Scottish country dancing.
Regular weekly classes are at Rosedale Presbyterian Church.
Teresa Lockhart is a very experienced teacher, and we enjoy her skill and enthusiasm.
Masks are optional, and dancers may bring their own refreshments for the break.
▶︎ Improvers’ Session: 7:15 - 7:30 — Teresa offers technique improvements and examines tricky formations that will figure in the evening’s programme.
The annual Membership Fee is $20. The evening class remains at $10 for members and $12 for guests.
Rosedale Presby. Church, 129 Mount Pleasant Rd. <map> (Hint: set SatNav to 67 South Drive)
Street parking is available, and the church is a pleasant 10-min walk from Sherbourne station
(walk north on Sherbourne to South Drive, and turn left).
Instructor: Teresa Lockhart Contact: Catherine Whitfield 416.960-1687
Pictures of the 50th Anniversary Trinity Assembly are available here.
Spadina Reels Scottish Country Dancers
Join our Young Adults (under 40) Scottish country dance class!
Beginners and new dancers welcomed!
Location: St Thomas's Anglican Church, 383 Huron Street (near Spadina & Bloor) <map>
Contact: tristan.gerrie@gmail.com
Oakville Afternoon Class (non affiliated)
Alma Smith teaches this Scottish Country Dance social group.
Cost is $10/class
We dance in Room 9: The Talent Room • 9 – 407 Iroquois Shore Road, Oakville L6H 1M3 <map>
( Just east of Trafalgar road, 1 block north of QEW )
Contact: Alma Smith 905.845-0649 almajoansmith@gmail.com
Wasaga Beach (non affiliated)
All are welcome. We will continue in the New Year right through until the Orillia Scottish Festival July 20th 2024.
Prime Time Club, 1724 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach. (same complex as the YMCA and Recplex) <map>
Contact: Sharon Wood
Fridays
Aurora (morning class) 2025: Jan 10 to May 30
Please bring your own water, snacks and sanitizer. Masks are optional.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Hall, 32 Mosley Street, Aurora <map>
Instructor: Halyna Sydorenko | Contact: Stella & Andrew Henderson
Beyond Third website - Visit our website for more info.
• Jan 10 & 31 • Feb 28 • March 7 & 28 • April 11 & 25 • May 9
This group aims to attract dancers who aspire to high accomplishment in dance — i.e. advanced-level dancers who wish to further develop dancing skills. Teachers are Moira Korus & Gavin Keachie.
Beyond Third will be a dance home for you if you are experienced, appreciate technique,
are comfortable with advanced-level figures, and have a good sense of phrasing.
Beginning of a class (7 pm to 8:15 pm) is dedicated to dancing at a level which requires the use of full stamina to achieve the highest level of technique (high impact dancing). This part of the class is optional. Dancers who do not dance at this level are welcome to the dance studio at 8 pm to warm up and be ready to join after 8:15 pm.
The last hour of each session is dedicated to dancing at a level which requires the use
of full stamina to achieve the highest level of technique. This part of the session is optional.
For more info, please visit https://beyondthird.ca or contact Leo Roytman.
Location: Jörgen Dance, at George Brown College, Casa Loma campus
Map and transit tips>> (https://beyondthird.ca/#venue)
Woodglen 2025: Jan 10 to …May 9
The cost is still $10/class, or $150 if you pay by the season. Cheques are payable to Sue Ann Bryce.
If you can't make it please let me know, otherwise we count on you to make up a set for the class.
As we approach the end of the dancing on May 9th, I want to wish you a wonderful summer with lots of adventures to share when we return in September.
Liz and Jim have once again offered their home for a farewell social. Please come out to enjoy the company of your dancing friends before we break. Bring a little something to share with the group.
…John Clark
This link takes you to the Strathspey Server where the dances planned for each week will be listed
(same link for each Friday but different programmes): https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/46272/
Fallingbrook Presbyterian Church, Kingston Rd. at Wood Glen, Scarborough <map> (Halfway between Victoria Park & Warden)
Instructor: Deirdre MacCuish Bark 905.822-1707 | Contact: John Clark 416.605-5483
Saturday Mornings ~ Youth Classes
Rosedale Youth >>>> SATURDAY MORNINGS — Sept 14 2024 to May 3 2025
Rosedale’s family dance class is suitable for children of all ages (starting at 3-1/2 yrs) with their parents, grandparents, siblings.
Young Improvers and Intermediates Class (10:15am - 11:15)
Young improvers are older children in the Family Class who are beginning to learn steps and formations. They are joined by volunteer tweens & teens.
Teens join the Intermediate Class and learn to dance with confidence and poise. Strong friendships are formed and leadership skills develop. Importantly, self-confidence flourishes. Teens are quick to pick up dances and thrive on challenge. That’s what they get in the last part of the class They learn just-for-fun dances, and they also concentrate on intricate, elaborate dances.
Dancers at Rosedale all become members of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (at no extra charge). Accomplished dancers can attend formal events such as the West Toronto Ball, Christmas Dance, and Youth Dance. Scholarships are available for older teens to travel to Scotland to attend Summer School in St Andrews.
New students, boys or girls, are always welcome. Come and enjoy social dancing, festivals, parties,
special events and gala days.
More info: Youth classes at Rosedale Presbyterian Church
Please contact Moira Korus for details/questions.
Rosedale Presbyterian Church, 129 Mount Pleasant Rd at South Drive <map>.
Periodic Saturday Afternoon / Evenings
The White Cockade: Social & Dance Club - Hamilton (Affiliated with RSCDS)
Monthly dances are held September to April on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
7:30 pm at Delta United Church Hamilton.
Sept 20, Oct 18, Nov 15, Dec 20, Jan 17, Feb 21, March 21, April 18
January, February & March are afternoon Tea Dances which start at 1pm.
Programs are designed to appeal to all levels of dancers.
Membership : $20 per year and entitles the holder to $5 off the cost of the monthly dances.)
I hope to see you on the dance floor soon. Download: 2025-26-White-Cockade-Membership-Form.pdf
Kind Regards, Elaine Lawrence , Secretary.
Delta United Church, 47 Ottawa St. S., Hamilton <map>
( Enter Delta United from Maple Ave, between Ottawa & London
Occasional Sunday Afternoons
(For Intermediate and Advanced dancers)
“Shiftin’ Bobbins” are 16 years directly affiliated with RSCDS Scotland.
We are aimed for dancers already comfortable with the most RSCDS formations.
The group meets one Sunday afternoon a month in the fall and spring led by a guest MC.
Join us in the parish hall of Grace Church-on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Road at Russell Hill Road, Toronto <map>
We also run an annual St. Andrew's Dance and a May ball.
Program dates and additional information are posted on the web site: sbsg-toronto.my.canva.site
Additional inquiry email: shiftinbobbins@gmail.com
-
Pictures from Shiftin’ Bobbins’ 2023 St Andrews Celebration can be downloaded from Google Drive.
To have your event posted on this website send Rob Lockhart a brief write-up, with Date, Time, Location, Cost, Contact Info, and brochure/sign-up form.
To place your event, or an article, in our monthly newsletter, Set&Link, send info to Suzanne Dubeau by the 10th of each month.
© 2014-2025 RSCDS Toronto
RSCDS Toronto is affiliated with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, based in Edinburgh, Scotland. HM King Charles III is our Patron.
Meta Tags: Scottish country dance, RSCDS Toronto, things to do in Toronto, ceilidh dance, dance schools in Toronto, dance classes in Toronto
