Berkeley Folk Dancers

Berkeley Folk Dancers (BFD) has been active in Berkeley for over 80 years! It is a group of over 100 people of all ages who enjoy doing a great variety of folk dances. All kinds of people belong to BFD, from teenagers to retired people. Couples and singles are equally welcome. Lessons on four levels are held weekly; parties and special events are scheduled throughout the year. What kinds of dances are taught? BFD has an international repertoire of over 200 dances. Dances are drawn from Europe, the British Isles, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, the USA and other places. The repertoire includes couple, set, circle, line, and square dances. They range from simple to complex, and can be choreographed or freestyle, fast or slow, partner or non-partner. A few new dances are introduced every year, so members experience ongoing learning challenges as well as the pleasure of doing familiar dances. To view samples of the kinds of dances we do see Photos and Videos below. Who teaches the classes? One of BFD's richest resources is its qualified and enthusiastic teachers. Each year the teachers attend classes taught by master teachers at the University of the Pacific, Mendocino Folklore Camp, or the North/South Teachers Conference. They learn new dances along with techniques for sharing their knowledge.