| Location | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
|---|---|
| Tradition(s) | English longsword, rapper, Ontario step-dancing |
| Affiliation(s) | CDSS |
| Years Active | 1988 - present |
| Contact | Laurie Cumming email: laurie.cumming@sympatico.ca |
| Website |
Toronto Women’s Sword (TWS) performs traditional English hilt-and-point dances in both the long sword and “rapper” or short-sword traditions to live music. The hilt-and point- dance tradition is defined by the linking of the swords between dancers, forming a closed loop. The dancers, linked by metal or wooden swords, perform a series of intricate and elegant weaving figures, moving in a continuous flow from one to next.
TWS performances include dance and music festivals, community events, charitable events and informal public street performances, with tours including Ontario and Eastern Canada, New York City, New England, Michigan, West Virginia and North Carolina. In 1996 we were privileged to participate in the first International Sword Spectacular, held in Scarborough, England. The inaugural gathering of hilt-and-point sword dance groups from around the world, attracted over 300 hundred dancers, performing traditional dances from Belgium, France, Italy , Spain, Germany, the Czech Republic, USA, England and Canada. In 2004 we returned to England, bringing our dancing to public spaces, through street performances with our host teams in Sheffield, Barnsley and Durham. In 2018 we were thrilled to visit Durham Miner's Gala and be hosted by our Sallyport friends and lovely folks in Sheffield and Goathland. Our hearts remain full!
Over that past almost 30 years, Toronto Women’s Sword has played an important role in the dance revival movement in North America. Over the years TWS has had the pleasure of working with a talented group of dancers and musicians, and has evolved their own unique style. TWS current membership has dwindled during the cursed virus but we are rebuilding and hope to get back to dancing on a regular basis in 2023.
MAY DAY Monday May 1st, 2023:
TWS is happy to dance again at dawn in High Park to welcome in the Spring. IF THE GATES ARE CLOSED TO VEHICLES DUE TO PEAK CHERRY BLOSSOMS, Please join us just inside the Bloor St entrance at 5:30am.
IF GATES ARE OPEN, please join us in Hgh Park across from the Grenadier restaurant at 5:30am.