GROUP DANCING
A very unique service offered by The Wandering Minstrels is that of group dancing. The success of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance have helped to make people eager to try their hand, or foot, at Celtic group dancing. And it's not as hard as it looks. Truth is, simple dances from the Cape Breton, Contra, Irish or Square Dance traditions can be taught by our callers to a crowd of beginners in just minutes.

At weddings, group dancing brings together all generations and members of both sides of the family. At parties or corporate events it is an excellent ice-breaker in a mixed crowd and instills team-spirit among colleagues.

CAPE BRETON DANCING
Hailing from our own Celtic island in Nova Scotia is an extremely simple dance form that can be learned by three year olds to 103 year olds. It is typically accompanied by driving fiddle and bagpipe music along with piano and/or guitar. Our caller was born and bred in Cape Breton and can lead your guests in all of its different varieties of dance.

CONTRA DANCING
For the very adventurous we offer this slightly more complex dance form which originates in the New England states. Contra dancing is said by some to be a mixture of elements of English, Scottish and French country dancing. It is ideal for a crowd that is used to other types of dancing and is often accompanied by fiddle and flute and chording instruments such as guitar or piano.

IRISH DANCING
This is about on a par with Contra dancing in terms of complexity but slightly more refined looking with many different varieties. Flute, fiddle and accordian with chording instruments like guitar or piano often accompany this dance form.

SQUARE DANCING
From the Ottawa Valley to Texas square dancing has been the predominant dance form of rural areas. Actually Cape Breton dancing is one variety of this relatively easy-to-learn form. You may have heard the colourful rhyming and rhythmic calling that often accompanies this dancing along with, of course, fiddle mandolin, piano or guitar.

DANCE PERFORMANCE
Irish Dancers
Scottish Highland Dancers
Traditional Step Dancers (Ottawa Valley, Cape-Breton and French-Canadian)
Again due to the influence of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance many of the companies that specialize in these well-known dance forms have added very progressive elements to create spectacular high-energy performances. These dancers can be accompanied by live musicians for the most authentic performance or by recorded music for a tighter budget.