Welcome to Ottawa English Country Dance Club in Canada's capital. We meet weekly in Kanata and twice a month in downtown Ottawa (downtown events suspended due to Covid).

Some of the dances we dance are traditional English Country dances, dating from the 17th & 18th centuries. Others are
more modern, some written in the last decade; mostly choreographed in the English Country Dance style, occasionally closer to the Contra style.

Dances range from lively dances that would have been danced at English village celebrations years ago, the kind you might have seen at a Barn Dance, to the elegant dances enjoyed by upper classes such as those seen in Pride and Prejudice and other costume dramas.

Here are some great examples in video. Nigel Kilby late co-founder of the club would often say "If you can walk, you can dance".

It is not necessary to bring a partner to any dance but do bring soft soled shoes. No dance experience is required although beginners should, if possible, start at one of our regular Dance Classes. Dress is usually casual although we do host the occasional dress-up events such as the Saturday Ball in our annual A Trip to Ottawa dance weekend.

In consideration of dancers with allergies or sensitivities we request that you do not use perfumes and other strongly-scented products. For occasional pot-luck events avoid the use of nuts.

Upcoming Events

Covid 19 Rules

Corona Virus

Covid is back, the following rules apply to all in attendance:

  • Masks required (frequently reviewed);
  • Hand Sanitizer available;
  • There will be a break (no tea or cookies provided).

Regular Dance (more...)

and
Dance Class

starts at 7:30pm on Sep 29th

at the Mlacak Centre

A Trip to Ottawa

Ball Logo

November 10th & 11th

Callers: John Nash, Jamie Hargrove, & Mary Shleifman

Musicians: Emily Addison, Ian Morrison, Jonathan Werk, & Keara Leibovitz, (Milan Skubnik)

More Information

Registration Form (On Oct 1st)

e-transfer Payment

Payment to Ottawa English Country Dance Club may preferably be made by Interac e-transfer. Enter at your bank web site: oedancer@gmail.com

Notable Dances

Friday Dancers' FavoritesAlice, Sapphire Sea, Well Hall, Masquerade Royale & Turn of the Tide
Wednesday Dancers' FavoritesCome with Voices Singing, Rain on the Roof, Noisette & Autumn Moon
Most Danced FridayJack's Health, Alice, Well Hall & Mendocino Redwoods
Most Danced WednesdaySafe Haven, Noisette, Rain on the Roof, Come with Voices Singing, Newcastle & Elegant Dancer ...
New Dances (in Ottawa)Flora and Phaon, Barcelona, Elephant Stair, Graham's Birthday & Salt of the Earth

More here ...

More Information

ECD Elsewhere

  • September 29th, Toronto English Country Dance Assembly, Autumn Assembly, featuring Joanna Reiner Wilkinson & Goldcrest. Registration, Payment & Schedule
  • October 6th, Minneapolis, Star of the North, English country Dance Weekend. With Caller Susan Kevra and Alchemy (Karen Axelrod, Eric Martin, & Rachel Bell). More information here.
  • Special events at Other Clubs here.
  • Regular events at Other Clubs here.

2023 at Mlacak

The Last Summer Dance, in costume. Photo of Dancers 2023
Photographer ~ Mary Shleifman

In April, Covid masks at the ready! Photo of Dancers 2023
Photographer ~ Robert Mullan (in the kilt)

A Trip to Ottawa - 2022

Videographer ~ Robert Mullan

More videos and photos from our 10th Trip to Ottawa here...

Valid HTML 4.01 TransitionalValid CSS!

Current PHP version: 5.6.40