Originally known as the Cape May Dance Weekend, repairs at the Cape May Convention Hall many years ago necessitated a move across the Delaware River to nearby Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Staying in Rehoboth Beach inspired a renaming -- we are now the GWCC Fall Fling, continuing to welcome dancers and traditional music enthusiasts from across the United States, as well as from Canada and Ireland, as we have for well over 30 years. Even if life finds you elsewhere in the world, please consider taking a trip to join in the fun!
Current GWCC policy asks all participants to show proof of COVID vaccination/booster(s) and recommends wearing masks.
The Workshops
We will again be learning from Irish set dance masters Pádraig & Róisín, who have been our instructors for over 20 years, and we're thrilled to have them back in 2023. They will lead two Saturday workshops (morning and early afternoon) and one more on Sunday morning. These popular instructors have a warm and engaging teaching style that appeals to beginners and experienced dancers alike.
Workshop Dances
Our instructors choose the dances to be taught close to the event weekend — we'll be happily busy! Those who register for the Events Package will receive details on workshop dances by email before the weekend; and, as always, dance notes for all dances taught will be available on the Dance Notes page of our website after the weekend. See the Dance Notes page for all dances taught at our event since 2015.
The Ceilis:
What good would dance instruction be without the chance to enjoy it? We start things off on Friday night with a ceili! Full of favorite dances, the Friday program usually includes a dance from the previous year’s workshops. The Saturday night ceili includes an opportunity to put what we learned during the day to the test; and any workshop dances on the Saturday program will be called. Those who register for the full Events Package will receive a list of this year’s dance programs via email before the event.
To give you a feel for our past ceilis, these were the dances at our 2022 ceilis. The 2022 weekend focused on classic & popular dances to help everyone shake off the rust. As we have in the past, Friday’s ceili program this year will likely include a workshop dance from 2022. To brush up on workshop dances from recent years, see our Dance Notes page.
Friday Saturday
South Galway Set Kildownet Half Set
Paris Set workshop #1
West Kerry Set Cashel Set
Caledonian Set Clare Mazurka Set
Ballyvourney Jig Set Merchant Set
Moycullen Set workshop #2
Clare Plain Set North Kerry Set
waltz waltz
Connemara Reel Set Clare Lancers Set
The Music:
Understanding that exceptional live music is essential to any set dancing event, we invite talented and renowned traditional musicians to play for us. Fortunately, the mid-Atlantic region is blessed with many, many talented musicians! For 2023 we will again have tunes from a GWCC favorite band, Rambling House, named after the Irish tradition of the moving house party. They play energetic Irish traditional music for ceilis and contradances.
Rest assured we'll continue the popular Social Hour & Session with the Band after the Saturday afternoon workshop. Bring your instrument! If you don't play, you can enjoy the tunes while chatting with friends old and new. We will gather in the hotel restaurant (on the lower level, which opens to the boardwalk) with a cash bar available. We're looking forward to enjoying a time for all to cool down, have some refreshments and mingle.
Unscheduled time can be used to explore all that Rehoboth Beach offers! Our schedule will includes a large block of free time on Saturday afternoon and Sunday to enjoy the beach/boardwalk, walk around town, shop tax-free at local shops and outlets, and eat at the many great nearby restaurants See our Explore Rehoboth Beach page for more info about all things Rehoboth Beach.