Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Vancouver International Folk Dancers (VIFD) fonds
General material designation
- Textual record
- Photograph
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on name of creator.
Level of description
Fonds
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
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1959-2015 (Creation)
- Creator
- Vancouver International Folk Dancers
- Note
- Predominant 1969-2004
Physical description area
Physical description
1.9 m of textual records
35 photographs
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
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Numbering within publisher's series
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Vancouver International Folk Dancers (VIFD) was formed in 1959 with the objective of learning and teaching international folk dancing in Vancouver. The founding members were Patricia Paice Treadwell, and Beryl and Len Sawyer. When they met four other folk dancing friends at Sawyers’ home in January 1959, they decided to form the Vancouver International Folk Dancers. They were the first international folk dancing group in Vancouver at that time. The group had 12 members (Gwen and Eric Pearson, John and Norah Hemingway, Margit Hansen, Harold Kristensen, Peter Cox, Maitland Carter, Irene Howard, Beryl and Len Sawyer and Patricia Treadwell) in the first year and taught 31 dances. The membership fee was 25 cents per night. Dancing was held in the Sawyers’ basement.
In January 1960, VIFD moved from the Sawyers’ basement to the Kerrisdale Community Centre. As the popularity of folk dance grew, VIFD met twice a week – Mondays for beginners and Thursdays for intermediate dancers. In 1961, the Vancouver Parks Board asked the club to provide instruction for the Dancing in the Park program, held in Stanley Park. Since then, VIFD has been introducing people to folk dancing on Tuesday nights at the Ceperley playground in Stanley Park. VIFD has also performed for the Vancouver Folk Society Festival, and has organized many festivals, dance parties and workshops of its own.
By the turn of 21st century, the popularity of recreational folk dancing waned in Vancouver. However, VIFD still hosts a Christmas party with live music in early December and dance sessions in Stanley Park in summer.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The fonds consists primarily of records documenting the operation of the Vancouver International Folk Dancers (VIFD) from 1959 to 2015. Records reflect the major functions and activities involved in running the VIFD, including program planning and delivery, management of the group, internal and external communications, and financial management. Types of documentation include meeting minutes, correspondence, administrative files, financial reports and statements, program files, newsletters and photographs.
The fonds is arranged into the following series: Administrative files (1979-2015), Program files (1959-1999), Minutes and financial statements (1983-2004), Membership records (1969-2004), Newsletters ( 1979-2000) and Club files (1959-1983).
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Donated by Susan Pinkham, president of Vancouver International Dancers, in 2015.
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Access to some records is restricted; see series descriptions for more information on access restrictions.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
Series descriptions available.