THE Perth International Folk Dance Group is celebrating 50 years of dance.

The group was established in 1976 by Eve Blair who was inspired to share dances that she learnt in the United States. 

What began as weekly meetings on a Monday night has expanded into a vibrant community with branches across Dalkeith, Fremantle, the Hills, Mandurah and Albany.

Committee member Pam Massey is putting together a reunion in August and is hoping to reconnect with old members to join an evening of dance and music to mark the milestone. 

• One of the first dances of the Perth International Folk Dance Group all the way back in 1976.

Ms Massey joined the group in January 1982, marking 44 years of membership.

She says one of her funniest memories was of a particularly determined dancer performing only in socks because he didn’t have enough time to put his shoes on. 

Ms Massey says folk music is great for people’s mental health because of its combination of physical activity, music and socialising with friends. 

“You don’t have to be good at dancing – you can just sit and enjoy the music,” she said. 

• 2025 Christmas Party of the Folk Dance Group

The group uses an eclectic range of music and dance primarily from Eastern European cultures, the most well-known being Zorba the Greek. 

Many members have been inspired to travel to Eastern Europe to learn dances to bring back and share with the group. 

Ms Massey travelled with other members to Bulgaria in 1997 to learn folk dances from an international teacher. 

“The friends I have made in the group are some of the oldest friends I have,” Ms Massey said.

Even after 50 years, the group still meets weekly to dance, enjoy music and catch up with old friends.

by ROBYN MAZZUCCHELLI