About Us

Who we are
The International Folk Dancers of Ottawa, established in the early 1970s, is a non-profit group for the support and preservation of recreational folk dancing in the Ottawa-Hull area. It sponsors events for local folk dancers and the community at large, and stays in touch with other folk dancing groups and their events nationally and internationally.

When & Where?
The IFDO meets every Thursday night at the Jack Purcell Community Centre in Ottawa (320 Jack Purcell Lane - off Elgin, just south of Gilmour). In summer, we sometimes dance out doors.
Classes for beginners start at 7:30 p.m., followed by classes for intermediate/advanced dancers at 8:00 p.m. The first half of each of the first three Thursday evenings of the month, then, is the time to learn dances step by step. The entire evening of the last Thursday, and from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on other Thursdays, is devoted to dances the group already knows.
Except for costume parties, dress is casual.
IFDO has a new eco-friendly no-waste protocol! Please bring your own reusable cup for juice/water.

Learning
Dances are usually taught by local teachers, while guest instructors teach at workshops from time to time throughout the year. No previous experience is necessary.
Teaching starts around 7:30 p.m., followed by teaching of more advanced dances around 8:00 p.m. We have DVDs available at cost ($2).These are dances we do quite often, and are easy to learn and do. (These are homemade DVDs- not professional quality at all! )

Fees & Membership
Annual membership is $75 and runs from September; otherwise, the charge is $5 an evening. First visit is FREE! Membership includes free entrance to special Thursday-night workshops and a lower rate for local week-end workshops and other event