Inaugural European Folk Dance Competition
On November 4th, 2023, the European Cultural Society of Calgary is proud to present our inaugural European Folk Dance Competition, taking place at the Engineered Air Theatre.
Featuring the talents of ten unique European cultures, the European Folk Dance Competition is the first of its kind in Canada.
Doors open at 11:30am
Ends at 5:45pm
Participating Dance Companies
Guest Appearance
Azeri Calgary Stars
Since 2014, the Azeri Calgary Stars dance group has been dedicated to showcasing Azerbaijani culture and traditions in Canada and various international venues. The group has graced stages at Stampede, GlobalFest, and Heritage festivals in Calgary, as well as on the Disneyland stage in California. Young talented performers of Azeri Calgary Stars cordially invite you to immerse yourself in Azerbaijani culture through their uniquely choreographed dance performances and exquisite national attire.
Competition Adjudicators
Keith Armbruster
Keith is honored to be President of the United Country Western Dance Council® (UCWDC®) since 2017. He is also a fully certified UCWDC dual Masters level judge, judge educator and examiner and Event Director. He is also accepted through the Canadian DanceSport Federation (CDF) as a Licentiate Level Adjudicator in Standard Ballroom, Latin, American Rhythm and American Ballroom.
Keith is one of Canada’s Top Dance Professionals and is a current UCWDC Masters Level Competitor. He has been actively competing since 2001 and holds twelve UCWDC Country Dance World Championship® titles in Couples, Choreography and Teams including the Open 8 Dance Professional division. He remained undefeated throughout his amateur career in 137 competitions before turning professional in 2006. Keith has also appeared as the feature judge on “The Amazing Race Canada” where his choreography was also featured. As well he has appeared as a professional dancer in academy award winning film “Broke Back Mountain” and on stage for the “Dancing with the Stars – Cross Canada Tour”.
He is the event director for the Calgary Dance Stampede along with his wife Christin since 2005. Together they continue to teach privately as well as coach, and perform on their professional dance team, Country Kaos Dance which has been the featured opening act for such top Country artists as Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan and Big & Rich.
Galina Mineva and Lidia Mincheva
A lifelong experience as dancers, over a decade of certified dance instruction, dedication to authenticity of dance and music origins, composition and ballet exercise implementation, are only few of the ties that keep these two instructors’ devotion to their people, culture and heritage.
Robin Murray
Robin Murray has been in the performing arts space in Calgary since he was 8 years old. From 2011 to 2019, he was an integral part of the prestigious Young Canadians of the Calgary Stampede, where he dedicated himself to the disciplines of singing and dancing. During this remarkable eight-year journey, Robin honed his skills and cultivated a profound passion for the performing arts. While with the Young Canadians, he not only received comprehensive training but also had the privilege of gracing various stages, enchanting audiences with his singing and dancing prowess. Since his run with the Young Canadians, Robin has worked on various film projects that have been shot around Calgary. He also has performed in some musicals around Calgary including “Hair” in 2021 and “Ride the Cyclone” in 2023. His unwavering dedication to the performing arts is a testament to his lifelong commitment to artistic expression and the joy it brings to both the performer and the audience alike.