Friendly Neighbourhood
Social Dance Groups

 

Mondays


Scarborough                   2025:  April 28 ~  DANCES FOR THE WEST TORONTO BALL

Well-Informed Social Dancing: 7:30-9:30 pm 

   Well “thank-U, Thank-U, THANK-U” to our demo “A Team” who put on an “A+” performance yesterday, as we were “hailed by general acclaim” to have put on the best performance! Being the final demo actually “helped not hindered” us, as we we’re able to “WOW” the audience with a grand finale!

     Tomorrow’s class we’ll “get back on the horse” with dances from the West Toronto Ball, but I was remiss last week in not having a strathspey 4 dear Peggy who loyally supports us even though not being able to dance as she once did. This week we’ll have “Peggy’s Picks” of the 3 strathspeys we haven’t covered (The Sauchie Haugh, Miss Eleanor and The Dream Catcher), along with others on request.

    Just a “head’s up” that we actually have only THREE classes left “YIKES”, as normally we finish the Monday BEFORE Victoria Monday “where did the year go”! Out final nicht would B on Monday12th MAY, so start thinking about your requests!         … 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

Social dancing 10am-noon   

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

7:30-9:30 pm      

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

7:30 - 9:30 pm    | at Cooksville United Church, 2500 Mimosa Row
(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

Tayside meets in the First Hungarian Presbyterian Church in a beautiful, newly-renovated space, near O’Connor/Eglinton Ave East. No more dancing in a basement, on a tile-on-concrete floor!  Also, First Hungarian has a large parking lot.

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 

Photos of Tayside’s 40th Anniversary celebrations are available here

Orillia (non affiliated with RSCDS Toronto)  2025:  Jan 07 to July 15  (and we participate in the Orillia Scottish Festival: Saturday Jul 19)

Classes 7-9pm at Senior Centre (TIE Club),
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 …

6:45 pm - 9:30    See website for events and classes: www.pscds.ca

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

Moira Korus, assisted by Halyna Sydorenko, and Erica de Gannes, leads social dancing
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 …

7:15 - 9:15pm for in-person dancing. Closing date will be the end of April or early May. 

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

Social dancing:  7:00-9:00pm   No partner is necessary. We welcome beginners and continuing dancers.
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

7pm sharp to 9:00, $7 drop-in fee.

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 

Time:  7:30-9:30 pm  |   Teacher:  Teresa Lockhart

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      

Time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm    |    Cost: $10 per class

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


Link to Young Adults page


Oakville Afternoon Class (non affiliated) 

Thursday Afternoons:  1:00pm - 3:00 

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) 

Thursday Mornings:  10am-noon  (almost all year round)

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

10:30 am - 12:15 pm   

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. We resume Jan 10 — at a new venue!

Periodic Friday evenings, 7pm - 10pm  
• 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.

New 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

7:45 - 9:45 pm   

This session we will be dancing until May 9th, making 17 classes (no class Easter Friday <April 18>).

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.
…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 2025  

Family Class (9:30 - 10:05 am)
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.

Senior Class (10:15 - 11:30 am)

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 (not-affiliated with RSCDS Toronto)

The next White Cockade Tea Dance dance is Mar 15:  2025-Apr.12-Programme.pdf

White Cockade Tea Dances:  February 15th and March 15th at Delta United Church.

Hamilton Branch Platinum Anniversary Ball on April 5th, at the Scottish Rite in Hamilton.

I hope to see you on the dance floor soon.  Download:  2025-26-White-Cockade-Membership-Form.pdf 

Kind Regards,  Elaine Lawrence , Secretary.

2024/25 Season Dates:  Sept 21 • Oct 19  • Nov 16  • Dec 21

• Afternoon Tea Dances, 1:00pm – 4pm @ Delta United:   • Jan 18 • Feb 15  • Mar 15 

• Last Night April 12th — 7:30–10:30pm @ Delta United

Delta United Church, 47 Ottawa St. S., Hamilton <map> ( Enter Delta United from Maple Ave, between Ottawa & London )

Occasional Sunday Afternoons


(not-affiliated with RSCDS Toronto -- for Intermediate and Advanced dancers) 

“Shiftin’Bobbins” now in its 16th year is directly affiliated with RSCDS Scotland for those already comfortable with the most RSCDS formations.

Shiftin’ Bobbins’ bi-annual “Kilts & Posh Frocks” May Ball returns by popular request on May 24, 2025 8pm till late, dancing to the live music of ‘Scotch & Soda’.   2025-Shiftin-Bobbins-May-Ball-poster.jpg

A  programme to appeal to all levels of dancers  will be briefed and walked. Cribs and videos are posted on the  Strathspey Server  https://my.strathspey.org/dd/list/54895/ or linked the group’s website sbsg-toronto.my.canva.site

Past events have always sold out early so reserve as soon as possible — Early Bird price is $30 until April 15, 2025, and $40 thereafter. e-ticket purchase via 001jaf@gmail.com

Additional inquiry email shiftinbobbins@gmail.com

Grace Church-on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Road at Russell Hill Road, Toronto Parish Hall   8pm to 1l:00pm followed by “bring and share buffet”.

  1. Bullet 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.