Folk Dancing ’Round Boston

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

marks special events, or significant changes for regular events.

This calendar includes most participatory dances in the Greater Boston area (mostly inside Rte. 128). We try for accuracy, but Life Happens.
For confirmation or more info, call the info number, visit the dance's website, or call the Folk Fone, 781/438-4389.

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!

Regularly Scheduled Events

M O N D A Y	*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. *ISRAELI FOLK DANCING – Temple Kehillath Israel, 384 Harvard Ave., Brookline, 7:30-12. Partner dances 7:30-8:30, circle/easier dances (some instruction) 8:30-10. More advanced 10-12. $5/students $3. Info: 617/308-8850 *MONDAY CONTRAS – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 7:30-10:30. Various callers and musicians. $8/full-time students 22 &: under, $5. Bring clean shoes, please! Info: website link, 781/272-0396, or 978/369-1232. *SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE – Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Dr., Medford, 7:45-10:15. Instruction till 9, social dancing 9:15 on. Live music. $8/students $4. Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Info: <CambridgeClass_AT_rscdsboston_DOT_org> or 978/368-0725.

var. T U E S	*CONTRA DANCE FOR ALL: at MIT – Student Center, 84 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, Rm. 407, 8-10:30. Jan. 10 Kresge Rehearsal Room B, Jan. 24 Kresge Rehearsal Room A, Jan. 31 Student Center Rm. 491, Feb. 14 &. 21 Student Center Rm. 407, Feb. 28 Student Center Rm. 491 Always live music. $6–$10 donation/MIT & Wellesley students free. MIT Folk Dance Club. Info, sit-ins, new/training callers, call 617/354-0864. * Gender-Free ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING – 1st Church of Jamaica Plain, Centre & Eliot Sts., Jamaica Plain, 7:30-10. Fifth Tuesdays (Jan. 31), experienced. Beginners welcome, all dances taught. $7. Info: website, 617/522-2216 or 617/512-5554

W E D N E S D A Y	*ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 7:30-10:30. Valentine’s Day Party! Feb. 15. Basic instruction at 7:10. $9/CDS members $7/students and first timers $4. For parties, etc., Country Dance Society, info: 617/721-0600. *FRAMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE – Parish Hall of Edwards UCC Church, 39 Edwards St., Framingham, 7:30-10. See Special Events, Feb. 4. Instruction & requests. Soft-soled shoes please! $6/FFD members $5/student or senior $1 discount/1st time FREE. Info: 978/897-7549. *GREEK FOLK DANCING – 2nd floor function hall, 288 Green St., Cambridge (Central Sq.), 7-9. Instruction; donation $2. Boston Lykeion Ellinidon. Info: 508/393-3563. *ISRAELI DANCE at MIT – MIT Student Center, 84 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 2nd or 4th fl., 8-11:30. Beginners’ sessions at 7:30 on Jan. 18 in the Sala and Jan. 25 in Rm. 407. $1 donation suggested/MIT students free.. MIT Folk Dance Club: 617/253-FOLK.

T H U R S D A Y	EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE – 1st Parish of Watertown Church, 35 Church St., Watertown Sq., 8-10:45. Instruction & requests. $9/FAC members $7/students $6. More details. Folk Arts Center: 781/438-4387. NEFFA CONTRAS at the SCOUT HOUSE – Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord MA, 7:30-10:30. Various local & touring performers; live music. $8 ($5 for people 22 and under). Thursday Contra Calendar & more details. Info: 617/299-1590, 781/272-0396, or 508/229-2854.

F R I D A Y	*INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 8-11. Instruction & requests, beginners always welcome! Frequent special events/guest teachers/live music—check flyers or more details for more info. $10/FAC members $7/students $5. Info: Folk Arts Center, 781/438-4387.

1^st F R I D A Y	CHALLENGING CONTRAS – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 8-11. For experienced dancers. Various callers & bands. $9/under 21; $7. Info: 978/779-6077. ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE for EXPERIENCED DANCERS – Church of Our Saviour, 25 Monmouth St., Brookline, 8-11. For dancers thoroughly familiar with basic English figures. Various leaders and musicians, all dances taught. $10/CDS members $8. Country Dance Society. Info: 617/721-0600.

2^nd F R I D A Y	*CARLISLE DANCE (Contra dancing with live music) – Unitarian Church, 27 School St., Carlisle, pot-luck at 6:30, dance 8:00-10:30. Caller Sue Rosen, music Debby Knight, David Titus, Bruce Rosen & Walter Lenk. $5. Flyer. Info: 617-661-1865 or 617-965-0542. *RENAISSANCE DANCE – New England Conservatory of Music, 241 St. Botolph St. (Boston), room G14, 7 pm. NO DANCE in Jan., check the website or call for Feb. All dances taught. Instructor Ken Pierce, music by Renaissonics. Soft-soled shoes pls! $8. Info: 617/661-3353.

2^nd & 4^th Fr	*HARVARD SQ. ENGLISH SERIES – Harvard-Epworth Methodist Church, 1555 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 7:30-9:30pm. Beginner-friendly English dancing, all dances taught. Live music. $7/$6 CDS members/$4 students. Country Dance Society. Info: 781/591-2372 or 617/744-5331.

3^rd F R I	*CONTRAS & SQUARES with ROARING JELLY – 1st Parish Church, 7 Harrington Rd., Lexington. 8-11, beginners’ session 7:45. Caller Susan Elberger, music director Debbie Knight. Adults $7; teens $5; under 12: free; family max $20. Info: 781/259-0753.

1/3 Fr or Sa	“TUESDAY NIGHT REVIVAL” (experienced Balkan) DANCE – Church of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington. 8-11. Jan. 6 (Friday), Jan. 21 (Saturday) &: Feb. 3 (Friday). $4. Info: 781/648-6887.

S A T	*GREEK FOLK DANCING – 2nd floor function hall, 288 Green St., Cambridge (Central Sq.), 12-2. Instruction; donation $2. Boston Lykeion Ellinidon. Info: 508/393-3563.

1^st Sa	*FIRST SATURDAY SQUARES – Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont, 8-11. Caller Tony Parkes, music Amy Cann & friends. Bring clean shoes, please! $5-$10. Info: website, or 978/667-7459.

2^nd S A T U R D A Y	*BALKAN DANCE PARTY & CONCERT with ZDRAVETS – Church of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington, 8-11 pm. Jan. 7 (1st Sat.) & Feb. 11 (2nd Sat.). 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. *SWING DANCE – St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Instruction 8-9, dancing 9-midnight. NO DANCE in January.. $15/student w/ID $10. Info: bands & details, or 617/901-9787.

2^nd & 4^th Sa	*BOSTON GENDER-FREE CONTRA DANCE –1st church of Jamaica Plain, Unitarian-Universalist, Centre & Eliot Sts., Jamaica Plain, 7:30-11. Jan. 7, a 1st Sat. Jan. 14 Boston Wassail, an all-day event. See Special Events. NO DANCE Jan. 28. Check the website for more details and parties. All welcome, always live music. $10/students $6/under 12 Free. Info: 617/852-4042 or 781/982-8042.

3^rd S A T	*MELROSE MUSIC #amp; DANCE PARTY – Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 W. Emerson St., Melrose, 4-7 pm. Different focus each time (contra, couple, Irish, etc.) Bring an instrument and/or dancing shoes. Donation, $6 suggested. Info: 781/665-3835.

4^th S A T U R D A Y	FAC INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE PARTY – Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont. 8-11. Jan. 28, music by Goats Without Borders. Feb. 25 Party is preceded by FAC’s Annual General Meeting, 7:30; music by The Pinewoods Band. This dance is free to members. All requests, no teaching, live music. Refreshment donations appreciated. More details. Info: Folk Arts Center, 781/438-4387. *CONTRAS & SQUARES – New Location Cambridge Friends School, 5 Cadbury Rd., Cambridge. Guest Callers and musicians with Debby Knight & Walter Lenk. Bring clean shoes, please! Flyer. $8/students $6. Info: 617/547-7781.

one Sa or Su /mo	SCANDINAVIAN DANCING for ALL – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts. Jan. 8 (Sun), 2-5 pm; Feb. 18, (Sat), 8-10:30. Always live music, brief demos on request. $7. Please bring clean shoes. Speledans, info 781/862-6096.

S U N D A Y	*INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCING at MIT – Student Center, 84 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 2nd Floor (Sala/Lobdell). NO DANCE Jan. 1. Jan. 28 dance in Rm. 407. Instruction & requests 8-9; requests 9-11. $1 donation requested. MIT Folk Dance Club: 617/253-FOLK. IMPROVISATIONAL HUNGARIAN DANCE – Church of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington. 6:30 to 8:30. NO DANCE Jan. 1. Work on Boncidai cycle both Romanian & Magyar. Teacher Dénes Takácsy. $10. Info: Website, 617/484-4870. *SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE – Church of Our Saviour, 25 Monmouth St., Brookline, 6:30-8:30. Jan. 1, NO DANCE. Jan. 8 (snow date Jan. 15): Annual Twelfth Night Dance and Supper, 6:30 pm, $12/members $10. Live Music. Flier and dance notes. Basic & experienced instruction. Bring soft-soled shoes please. $5. Info: 617/864-8945.

us. 3^rd S U N D A Y S	INTERNATIONAL MUSIC CLUB – Goddard House, 165 Chestnut St., Brookline. Learn International dance repertoire! Instrumental session (Barbara Pixton) 1-3 pm; singing session (Ray Rosenstock) 3:30-5:50 pm. Feb. 26, a 4th Sunday. $11 per session, $17 for both. More details and a flier. Info: 617/208-3862. *BIDA (Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates) CONTRA DANCE – Masonic Hall (Porter Sq.), 1950 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 7:30-10:30. Live music, various callers and bands. $5-$10 sliding scale. Info: BIDA website; 502/550-5981.

4^th S U N	*MOSTLY WALTZ for Boston – Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive, Medford, MA, 2-5:30. Basic teaching until 3. Waltzes, plus other couple dances. Jan. 22, a workshop (Cross-Step, modern Rotary) & dance with Susan Guardiola.. NO DANCE in Feb. $12/students $5. Info: 781/646-7861.

Special Events
Saturday, Jan. 7 CDS 2011 GALA HOLIDAY PARTY – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 7:30-11. Led by Brad Foster, Music Karen Axelrod, Peter Barnes, & Mary Lea. An elegant dessert buffet will be served. $15/under 25 with valid ID $5. Info: CDS, 617‑721‑0600. Sunday, Jan. 8 *NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4pm. New England Barn Dances & World Dances with Dillon Bustin & Judith Stames-Hamilton, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages (5 and up) welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781‑438‑4387, or NEFFA: 617‑299‑1590. Saturday, January 14 *2nd Annual BOSTON WASSAIL! – Afternoon tour in Jamaica Plain; evening party at 1st Church of Jamaica Plain, 6 Eliot St., 5:30pm. Traditional 12th Night party with real apple orchard wassailing, pot–luck dinner, mummers play, and molly & sword dancing. Plus singing and English, contra & couple dancing for all. All welcome. Wassail website. $10 Info: 570/690-6798, email: <bostonwassail_AT_hotmail_DOT_com>. Sunday, January 22 *NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4pm. New England Barn Dances & New England Barn Dances with Sarah Gregory Smith & Jacob Bloom, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages (5 and up) welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/438-4387, or NEFFA: 617/299-1590. Wednesday, Jan. 25 A MIDWINTER CELEBRATION – First Unitarian Society of Newton, 1326 Washington St., W. Newton, 7:30–9:30. A wintery program of traditional song, dance, drama, and storytelling. FREE. Info: 781/665-3835. Saturday, Feb. 4 PRE-PLAYFORD BALL English Country Dance WORKSHOP – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 1:30-4:30pm. Leader Helene Cornelius, music Jacqueline Schwab. $7 for ball registrants/$9 non-registrants. Info: CDS, 617/721-0600. Saturday, Feb. 4 Framingham Folk Dancers’ annual INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK DINNER & DANCE PARTY – 1st Unitarian Church, 349 Boston Post Rd., Weston, Dinner 6:30, dance 7:30-10, music by the All-Girl Band. FFD member$10/$9 dance only; non-member $11/$10 dance only; various discounts, family max. Info: 978/897-7549. Saturday, Feb. 4 FOLK FUSION 2012 – Next Generation Music and Dance! – Crosby Whistle Stop, 24 Roland Street, Charlestown MA. 7:30-11:30 pm. Live music with the Free Raisins, Blajini, and Bury Me Standing. Dan Friedman calling. $10/students $8. Details, and a flier. Info: 781‑438‑4387. Sunday, Feb. 5 *NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4pm. New England Barn Dances & New England Barn Dances & World Dances with Jacob Bloom & Dana Sussman, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages (5 and up) welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/438-4387, or NEFFA: 617/299-1590. Sunday, Feb. 12 PRE-PLAYFORD BALL English Country Dance WORKSHOP – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 1:30-4:30pm. Leader Rich Jackson, music Joyce Crouch. $7 for ball registrants/$9 non-registrants. Info: CDS, 617/721-0600. Sunday, Feb. 19 *NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4pm. Traditional Dances from Around the World with Marcie Van Cleave & Jeremy Van Cleave, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages (5 and up) welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/438-4387, or NEFFA: 617/299-1590. Sunday, Feb. 26 Pre-PLAYFORD BALL WORKSHOP – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts.,1:30-4:30. Barbara Finney leading, Joyce Crouch on piano. $9/$7 for Ball registrants. Info: CDS, 781/591-2372. Contents © Copyright 2011 by the Folk Arts Center of New England.

Special Events

Saturday, Jan. 7
CDS 2011 GALA HOLIDAY PARTY – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 7:30-11. Led by Brad Foster, Music Karen Axelrod, Peter Barnes, & Mary Lea. An elegant dessert buffet will be served. $15/under 25 with valid ID $5. Info: CDS, 617‑721‑0600.

Sunday, Jan. 8
*NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4pm. New England Barn Dances & World Dances with Dillon Bustin & Judith Stames-Hamilton, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages (5 and up) welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781‑438‑4387, or NEFFA: 617‑299‑1590.

Saturday, January 14
*2nd Annual BOSTON WASSAIL! – Afternoon tour in Jamaica Plain; evening party at 1st Church of Jamaica Plain, 6 Eliot St., 5:30pm. Traditional 12th Night party with real apple orchard wassailing, pot–luck dinner, mummers play, and molly & sword dancing. Plus singing and English, contra & couple dancing for all. All welcome. Wassail website. $10 Info: 570/690-6798, email: <bostonwassail_AT_hotmail_DOT_com>.

Sunday, January 22
*NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4pm. New England Barn Dances & New England Barn Dances with Sarah Gregory Smith & Jacob Bloom, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages (5 and up) welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/438-4387, or NEFFA: 617/299-1590.

Wednesday, Jan. 25
A MIDWINTER CELEBRATION – First Unitarian Society of Newton, 1326 Washington St., W. Newton, 7:30–9:30. A wintery program of traditional song, dance, drama, and storytelling. FREE. Info: 781/665-3835.

Saturday, Feb. 4
PRE-PLAYFORD BALL English Country Dance WORKSHOP – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 1:30-4:30pm. Leader Helene Cornelius, music Jacqueline Schwab. $7 for ball registrants/$9 non-registrants. Info: CDS, 617/721-0600.

Saturday, Feb. 4
Framingham Folk Dancers’ annual INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK DINNER & DANCE PARTY – 1st Unitarian Church, 349 Boston Post Rd., Weston, Dinner 6:30, dance 7:30-10, music by the All-Girl Band. FFD member$10/$9 dance only; non-member $11/$10 dance only; various discounts, family max. Info: 978/897-7549.

Saturday, Feb. 4
FOLK FUSION 2012 – Next Generation Music and Dance! – Crosby Whistle Stop, 24 Roland Street, Charlestown MA. 7:30-11:30 pm. Live music with the Free Raisins, Blajini, and Bury Me Standing. Dan Friedman calling. $10/students $8. Details, and a flier. Info: 781‑438‑4387.

Sunday, Feb. 5
*NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4pm. New England Barn Dances & New England Barn Dances & World Dances with Jacob Bloom & Dana Sussman, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages (5 and up) welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/438-4387, or NEFFA: 617/299-1590.

Sunday, Feb. 12
PRE-PLAYFORD BALL English Country Dance WORKSHOP – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 1:30-4:30pm. Leader Rich Jackson, music Joyce Crouch. $7 for ball registrants/$9 non-registrants. Info: CDS, 617/721-0600.

Sunday, Feb. 19
*NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4pm. Traditional Dances from Around the World with Marcie Van Cleave & Jeremy Van Cleave, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages (5 and up) welcome. $5/person, $25 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/438-4387, or NEFFA: 617/299-1590.

Sunday, Feb. 26
Pre-PLAYFORD BALL WORKSHOP – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts.,1:30-4:30. Barbara Finney leading, Joyce Crouch on piano. $9/$7 for Ball registrants. Info: CDS, 781/591-2372.