By Margaret Maccoll
For centuries folk dancing has been the cultural tradition of a people or region.
Each Friday morning Noosa Folk Dancers continue the traditions of other countries and have some fun and exercise along the way.
Dani MacKenzie set up the dance classes 26 years ago and Philippa Johnson took over the dance sessions 15 months ago after Dani passed away.
Philippa said the dances hailed from a variety of countries including Israel, South America and the Balkans.
“There is a whole network of folk dancing around the world,” she said.
Philippa has attended workshops in countries including Armenia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania to expand her knowledge of folk dance.
When everyone was in shutdown due to COVID-19 she zoomed folk dances from America and Albania.
“I build on it and research it,” she said. “In the US there are tertiary studies in folk dance. It’s all about the culture as well as the dance.”
Some of the dancers tell stories of love and marriage or the yearning for a loved one away at war, she said.
Philippa said the dance classes were a fun and social activity and she tried to pass on some knowledge of the culture surrounding the dance as well.
“The social side is also very important, for people who have been part of the group for many years and for newer dancers,” she said.
“We usually go for coffee after dancing each week and also have regular lunches.”
Noosa Folk Dance is held on Friday mornings from 9.30-11.30am at the Catholic Parish Hall at 5 Moorindil Street, Tewantin. Phone 0417 780 016.
