Welcome! The Durham-Chapel Hill International Folk Dancers have been getting together to learn and enjoy international dancing since 1964. The group started in Chapel Hill. We danced in Durham for decades and are back in Chapel Hill.

The dances come from a range of countries, and are done in circles, lines, sets, etc. Partners are not needed, and everyone is welcome to dance or watch and enjoy the music from the Balkans, Greece, the British Isles, Turkey, Israel, Russia, Scandinavia, USA and more. To learn more about International Folk Dancing please see this Wikipedia page.

We usually meet three times a week at the Carol Woods Fitness Center. All group sessions are free and open to the public. No dance experience required. Most dances can be easily joined into. Partners are not necessary. 

First-time visitors are asked to sign a liability waiver. 

Here is our normal schedule:

• Wednesday International Folk Dancing from 7:00-9:30 PM
  This is the main group that has been dancing since 1964. Evenings begin with easier dances. A dance is introduced or reviewed at 8PM.
  Contacts:

  • • Ann DeMaine - demaineann42@gmail.com - 919-357-4525

    • Dan Oldman - daniel.oldman@gmail.com - 919-523-7745

• Monday International Folk Dancing from 7:00-9:00 PM
  Easy to intermediate dances. Teaching as needed. 

Contacts:

• • • Ann DeMaine - demaineann42@gmail.com - 919-357-4525 

    • Mimi Gussow - mimi.gussow1@gmail.com - 805-291-2071

• Thursday International Folk Dance Class from 7:00-9:00 PM
  A class for beginners/inexperienced dancers in the Fitness Center Classroom 1.  All dances are taught or reviewed.   

  • • Teacher: Judy Stafford (judy.stafford.nc@gmail.com)

• Pjevaj! Village Singers
  Pjevaj! is a Croatian word for Sing! We are an informal group consisting of non-experienced to experienced singers interested in singing a variety of world folk music. Our follow-the-leader style enables members to quickly learn without reading notes or knowing the languages being sung. The pieces learned can be enjoyed alone as well as to accompany the dances of the Carol Woods Folk Dancers. Come try us out! Discover new styles and challenging rhythms. No experience is necessary.

  • • Monday      9:00-9:45 PM 

    • Wednesday 6:30-7:15 PM (Classroom 1) and 9:30-10:15 PM

The group is led by Karen Chaney (elysesilver2@gmail.com).

All sessions meet at  

Carol Woods Retirement Community

Fitness Center, Classrooms 1 or 2 (which are next to each other)

750 Weaver Dairy Rd.

Chapel Hill NC 27514 

carolwoods.org

campus map with guide

To get to the Fitness Center, drive in the Carol Woods entrance, turn left at the intersection, and follow around the main loop road (Harkness Circle). Turn right at the sign for

Building 3 - Fitness Center

The Fitness Center parking lot is on Google Maps is here. Please park near Harkness Circle to leave spaces open for residents. Once you park your car, walk into the Fitness Center lobby, turn right, and walk toward the pool. Classroom 2 will be on the right. (The red area below.)