excerpted from Folk Dancing ’Round Boston
the Folk Dance Calendar published by the Folk Arts Center of New England

© Copyright 2009 by the Folk Arts Center of New England.
You may make use of this material as you wish, but if you publish it in any way, please credit the Folk Arts Center of New England. Thanks!

International Dancing in and around Boston
January/February 2010

(for an overview of folk dancing in general, see NEFFA’s excellent Dancing)

every Monday
*BULGARIAN/BALKAN DANCING – Green St. Dance Studios, 185 Green St., Cambridge (Central Sq), 7:30-9 pm, beginners’ session 6:30-7:30. $15, or $50/4 classes. Info: (617) 840-2362.

1st Mondays
*GREEK FOLK DANCING – Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown, 7-9. Dances taught at all levels of skill. Donation $10. Info: 617/491-5463.

every Wednesday
*FRAMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE Parish Hall of Edwards UCC Church, 39 Edwards St., Framingham, 7:30-10. Party Feb. 24 with Zdravets. Instruction & requests. Soft-soled shoes please! $6/FFD members $5/student or senior $1 discount/1st time FREE. Info: 978/897-7549.

4th Wednesdays
WEDNESDAY MUSIC JAM SESSIONS Peacuddy’s Café and Bakery, 506 Franklin St., Melrose, 7:30-9:30. Open jams. Free. More details. Info: FAC, 781/662-7475.

every Thursday
EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE – 1st Parish of Watertown Church, 35 Church St., Watertown Sq., 8-10:45. Instruction & requests. $8/FAC memb $6/students $5. More details. Folk Arts Center: 781/662-7475.

every Friday
*INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 8-11. NOTE! NO DANCE Jan. 1. Instruction & requests, beginners always welcome! Frequent special events/guest teachers/live music—check flyers or here for more info. $8/FAC members $6/students $5. More details. Info: Folk Arts Center, 781/662-7475.

*BULGARIAN/BALKAN DANCING – Green Street Dance Studios, 185 Green St., Cambridge MA (Central Sq), 7:30-9 pm. NOTE! NO DANCE Dec. 25. $15, or $50 for four classes. Info: (617) 840-2362.

One Friday or Saturday a month
“TUESDAY NIGHT REVIVAL” (experienced Balkan) DANCEChurch of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington. 8-11. Jan. 8, Feb. 5, Feb. 19, all Fridays. $4. Info: 781/648-6887.

2nd Saturdays
*BALKAN DANCE PARTY & CONCERT with ZDRAVETS Church of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington, 8-11 pm. Dancing & music from Bulgaria and her neighbors. Protect our floor–bring clean shoes, please! $7. Info: <zdravets.music_AT_gmail_DOT_com> or 617/964-2003.

usually 4th Saturdays
FAC INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE PARTY – Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont. 8-11. NOTE! Jan. 30 (5th Sat) at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant St., Arlington, music by Shining Moon. See Special Events. Also note that FAC’s Annual General Meeting, (7:30) precedes the Feb. 27 party with The Pinewoods Band. The dance, which starts at 8:30, is free to members. All requests, no teaching, live music. Refreshment donations appreciated. $12/FAC members $10/students $7. More details. Info: Folk Arts Center, 781/662-7475.

every Sunday
*INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCING at MIT – Cambridge: Student Center, second floor. Instruction & requests 8-9; requests 9-11. $1 donation requested. MIT Folk Dance Club: 617/253-FOLK.

HUNGARIAN DANCE CYCLESChurch of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington. 6:30 to 8:30. $10. Info: Website, 857/919-1926.

one Sunday/month
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC CLUB – Goddard House, 165 Chestnut St., Brookline. Jan. 24 (4th Sunday) & Feb. 21. Learn International dance repertoire! Instrumental session (Barbara Pixton) 1-3 pm; singing session (Ray Rosenstock) 3:30-5:50 pm. $10 per session, $15 for both. More details. Info: 617/734-5215.

4th Sundays
*MOSTLY WALTZ for BostonSpringstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA, 2:15-5:30. Live music, various musicians. Basic teaching until 3. Waltzes plus other couple dances. $12/students $8. NOTE! Saturday, Feb. 20, 2-4:30 One-Step workshop, $10/$6. Info: 781/395-1066.

Special Events

Friday & Saturday Jan. 8&9
*BOSTON CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL – various locations in Cambridge & Medford. Music concerts, workshops, dance performances and dance party. Various prices and packages. Discounts for FAC & Passim members. More details. Info: FAC 781/662-7475.

Saturday Jan. 23
FFD’s INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK DINNER & DANCE PARTY – First Parish Church (Unitarian) in Weston. Dinner 6:30, dance 7:30-10, music by Shining Moon. FFD/FAC member$10/$9 dance only; non-member $11/$10 dance only; various discounts, family max. Info: 978/897-7549.

Saturday, Jan. 30
GALICIAN MUSIC & DANCE WORKSHOPS – St. John’s Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant St., Arlington, with Pedro Senande. Music workshop 2:30-4, Dance workshop 4:30-6. Followed by FAC Monthly Dance party in same location. Each workshop $15/$13 FAC members/$10 students; or both workshops $28/$24 FAC members/ $18 students. Info FAC: 781/662-7475.

Saturday, Feb. 6
*FOLK FUSION – Next Generation Music and Dance! St. John’s United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Special Gypsy Dance workshop with Daniel Sandu 7:30-8:45 pm. 9pm-midnight: Dance party and performances with Scoot, Rakiya, Somerville Symphony Orkestar, Great Meadows Morris & Sword, and Mladost. Each workshop or dance $15/$12 FAC members/$10 students, or both events for $28/$22 FAC members/$18 students. Info: FAC 781/662-7475.

Sunday, Feb. 7
*NEFFA/FAC Family DanceScout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. Traditional Dances from Around the World with Marcie Van Cleave and Dana Sussman, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/662-7475, or NEFFA: 781/662-6710.

Saturday, Feb. 20
Divi Zheni 10th-Anniversary CONCERT & DANCE PARTY – Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont. 7:30 pm. Concert by Divi Zheni, followed by dance party featuring several local Balkan bands, TBA. $15/students & seniors $10. Info: 617/734-8762.

* marks a dance recommended for beginners (may include a “Newcomers” session).

Contents © Copyright 2009 by the Folk Arts Center of New England.