Erlangen Set Dance Weekend

During Valentine’s weekend (February 13-15, 2026), we traveled to Erlangen in Germany for set dancing. Friday already feels like a little Saturday anyway, so we finished work early and left right after lunch.

Friday: travel → evening ceili

We left Prague in several cars along the Via Carolina route toward Nuremberg. The drive went quickly, and soon we were turning at a cloverleaf interchange toward Erlangen.

We checked into the hotel and headed to Redoutensaal, where Andrea Forstner welcomed us. It was great to see everyone again. In the evening we danced these sets: Labasheeda, Sneem, Knocknashee, Connemara, Claddagh, Derradda, Balleyvourney Jig, Clare Lancers.

Abbey Ceilí Band played beautifully (Ger Murphy Accordion, Andrew O’Connell Fiddle, John Coakley Keyboard, Frances Curran Banjo), and Pat Murphy guided us through the dance night. After the ceili, we continued with a session across the street at Kulisse.

Note: a session is an informal pub meetup of musicians and dancers. People play favorite Irish tunes (melodies), chat, dance, and sometimes sing.

Saturday: workshops → carnival dance night

Morning workshop

In the morning, Pat Murphy taught us his new dance, the Mayflower Set. During the workshop, we practiced all core steps and, at a comfortable pace, also learned Roscahil Set and Knockanore Set.

Pat Murphy also introduced his seventh dance collection, The Lark in the Morning. Fun fact: there is also a tune with the same name. It includes instructions for sets such as Croisloch, Kilcoona, Mayflower, Merchant, Prague, Rinkinstown, Treacle Town Set, and many more.

Evening carnival ceili

As always, it was great. This year’s theme was “Be my Valentine”.

After the break at the ceili, part of our group performed a short dance piece with their favorite steps. Ondřej Slánský, Tereza Macoszek Jindrová, Ludmila Palečková, Markéta Utišilová, Conor Hayes, Pete Davies, and Tim Coakley danced.

After the dance night, we continued with a session in Kulisse.

Sunday: ceili → workshop → return to Prague

We did not sleep much 😅, but we still managed breakfast and got to the morning ceili. At the final ceili, we danced: Kilfenora Plain, Rinkinstown, Black Valley Jig, Cashel, Caledonian, West Kerry, BVJ, Connemara, Clare Lancers.

Between the ceili and the workshop, we also saw a showcase of traditional Franconian folk costumes. 🤩

After that, Pat Murphy taught us the Rockfield House Set.

After the program, we headed back to Prague. See you next year!

Photos by Markéta Utišilová:

Thanks

Big thanks to Andrea Forstner, her family, and the whole Erlangen dancer group for organizing everything so well. We really enjoyed it. Thanks also to Abbey Ceilí Band for great music and to Pat Murphy for excellent calling.

We were very happy to see all our friends again, especially our dance “parents” Kevin and Carol Monaghan from SetsMad, whom we will see again soon:

• March 20-22 Spring Equinox Set Dance Weekend (Basingstoke, UK)
• April 24-26 Set Dance Weekend in Prague (Prague, CZ)

What we danced during the weekend

ℹ️ Note for beginners: It may look like a lot of sets, but no stress. It is completely normal that you, us, and even dancers from Ireland do not know all sets by heart. Just listen to the caller announcing what comes next into the microphone. People make mistakes sometimes, and that is fine.