ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING
The dance
English Country Dance began as a combination of formal court dance and folk dance in the 1500s. It became wildly popular throughout Europe through the 1700s. It was revived starting in 1899. New dances continue to be devised to this day.
Everyone welcome!
We welcome dancers of all ages and backgrounds. Beginners welcome. LGBTQ+ friendly. You do not need to bring a dance partner; we switch partners every dance. All dances are taught by a dance caller, as we move in graceful patterns with a walking step to beautiful music. We dance for our own enjoyment, not as a performance or competition.
Free admission on Fridays
All of our regular Friday evening dances have free admission for everyone. Donations are welcome.
DANCE SCHEDULE
We dance every Tuesday evening at Willowdale Presbyterian Church, 38
Ellerslie Avenue, North York (map);
and every Friday evening at the Ralph Thornton Centre,
765 Queen Street East, Toronto (map), usually on the second floor.
All welcome; no experience required.
[More info]
Special monthly dances on September 13, October 25, November 22, December 27, January 24, February 28, April 3 and 4, April 25.
Save the date! Autumn dance weekend October 2 to 4, 2026, with caller Joanna Reiner Wilkinson and live music by Karen Axelrod, Anna Patton, and Eric Martin!
LOCATIONS
Ralph Thornton Centre
Second floor765 Queen Street East, Toronto
(Two blocks east of Broadview Ave)
https://www.ralphthornton.org
Note: This is the primary location for our Friday evening dances [more info]. The special dances are held at various locations. The location address is mentioned with each special dance.
Willowdale Presbyterian Church
38 Ellerslie Avenue, Toronto(near North York Centre subway station)
Entrance at the east side.
Note: This is the primary location for our Tuesday evening dances [more info]. The special dances are held at various locations. The location address is mentioned with each special dance.
Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Church
310 Danforth Avenue, Toronto(Just west of Chester subway station)
https://www.nuuc.ca
Enter through the double glass doors off Jackman Avenue, and go up a step and through double doors on your right.
Note: This is NOT our primary dance location. This is the location of a particular dance only if it explicitly says "NUUC" in the listing for that dance.
St Barnabas Anglican Church
175 Hampton Avenue, Toronto(Just west of Chester subway station)
https://www.stbarnabas-toronto.com
Enter through the children's play area off Hampton Avenue.
Note: This is NOT our primary dance location. This is the location of a particular dance only if it explicitly says "St Barnabas Church" in the listing for that dance.