Folk Dancing ’Round Boston

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

marks special events, or significant changes for regular events.

We attempt to keep this calendar up to date, but you should call for confirmation before going to an event or a series new to you.

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!

Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Special Events

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, 8-12, easier dances & instruction 8-9. $5/students $3. Info: 617/576-5554 *MONDAY CONTRAS – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 7:30-10:30. Various callers and musicians. $8/teens & students $5. Bring clean shoes, please! Info: 781/272-0396 or 978/369-1232. *SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE – Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Dr., Medford, 7:45-10:15. Instr. till 9, social dancing 9:15 on. Live music. $8/students $4. Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Info: <CambridgeClass_AT_rscdsboston_DOT_org> or 781/862-1950.

1^st M	*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.

us. 2^nd & 4^th Tu	* CONTRA DANCE FOR ALL at MIT – Student Center, 84 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, usually Room 491, 8-10:30. Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 & Feb. 9. Feb 16 & 23 in Lobdell dining room. Great live music every week, many visiting callers (to call or play, call 617/354-0864.) $6 donation/MIT & Wellesley students free. MIT Folk Dance Club & Music-for-Robin, info. 617/354-0864. * Gender-Free ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING – 1st Church of Jamaica Plain, Centre & Eliot Sts., Jamaica Plain, 7:30-10. Fifth Tuesdays experienced. Beginners welcome, all dances taught. Brown bag supper, 7:00. $7. Info: 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. Basic instruction at 7:15. Parties on Jan. 6 and Feb. 10. $9/CDS members $7/students and first timers $4. Country Dance Society, info: 781/662-6710. *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. *ISRAELI DANCE at MIT – 84 Mass. Ave., Cambridge: Student Center room 491. Feb. 17 & 24, Sala de Puerto Rico. 8-11:30 pm. $1 donation suggested/MIT students free. MIT Folk Dance Club: 617/253-FOLK.

4^th W E D	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.

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. $8/FAC memb $6/students $5. More details. Folk Arts Center: 781/662-7475. NEW ENGLAND CONTRAS & SQUARES – Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord MA, 7:30-10:30. Feb. 18 at West Cambridge Youth Center, 680 Huron Ave., Cambridge. Various local & touring performers; live music. $8 ($5 for people 22 and under). Thursday Contra Calendar & more details. Info: 781/272-0396, 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. 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. NO DANCE Jan. 1. $15, or $50 for four classes. Info: (617) 840-2362.

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 or 781/662-6710.

1^st 3^rd 5^th Fr	*WESTON SCOTTISH DANCE – 1st Unitarian Church in Weston, School & Church Sts., 8-10:45. NO DANCE Jan. 1. Soft-soled shoes please. $7. Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. Info: 781/894-7754.

2^nd F R I	*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. Info: 617/661-1865 or 617/965-0542.

2^nd & 4^th F R I	*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: 781/662-6710 or 617/744-5331. *SALEM VINTAGE DANCE – Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Sq., Salem, 8-11 pm. Barbara Pugliese teaches and leads Civil War era Country Dances. Live music. $8, students $5. Near Commuter Rail station. Info: 781/396-2870.

3^rd F R I D A Y	*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: 781/944-3544 RENAISSANCE DANCE – NO dances in January or February, back in March.

4^th Fr	*RIP SNORTIN’ SQUARES – Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont, 8-11. Caller Tony Parkes, music Amy Cann & friends. Bring clean shoes, please! $5-$10. Info: 978/667-7459.

one Fr or Sa	“TUESDAY NIGHT REVIVAL” (experienced Balkan) DANCE – Church of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington. 8-11. Jan. 8, Feb. 5, Feb. 19, all Fridays. $4. Info: 781/648-6887.

1^st S A T	*SALEM CONTRA DANCE – Tabernacle Congregational Church, 50 Washington St., Salem, 7:30-10:30 pm. Caller, Sarah Gregory Smith; music director Bill Smith with the Salem Country Orchestra. Clean shoes, please. $8/$6 seniors & students; $20 family max. Info: 978/745-9391.

1^st & 3^rd Sa	SCANDINAVIAN DANCING – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 8-10:30. Always live music, some teaching 8-9. $7. Please bring clean shoes. Speledans, info 781/891-3207.

us. 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. 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. *NEW ENGLAND SQUARES, CONTRAS & COUPLE DANCES at the Scout House – 74 Walden St., Concord. 8-11. CDS Contra, various callers & musicians, $10/CDS members $8, $6 under 21. Info: 2nd Saturday Dance website, 857/499-8907. *SWING DANCE – St. James Armenian Church, 465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown. Instruction 8-9, dancing 9-midnight. Jan. 9 & Feb. 20 (3rd Sat.). $15/student w/ID $10. Info: 617/924-0077.

2^nd & 4^th Sa	*BOSTON GAY & LESBIAN CONTRA DANCE –1st church of Jamaica Plain, Unitarian-Universalist, Centre & Eliot Sts., Jamaica Plain, 7:30-11. Special Advanced Contra Dance Jan. 23: check the website for details. All welcome, always live music. $10/students $6/under 12 Free. Info: 617/852-4042 or 781/982-8042.

3^rd S A T U R D A Y	*NEW ENGLAND CONTRAS & SQUARES at the SCOUT HOUSE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 8-11. Caller Beth Parkes. Music: Full Tilt (C. Bittenson, J. Guinness, D. Knight). Bring clean shoes, please! $8. Flyer. Info: 978/667-7459. *MELROSE CONTRA DANCE – Unitarian Universalist Church, 70 W. Emerson St., Melrose, 7-10 pm. Call to verify. Caller Cammy Kaynor, live music. Sit-ins & newcomers welcome. Donation $6. Info: 781/665-3835.

4^th S A T U R D A Y	*CONTRAS & SQUARES – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 8-11. Caller Walter Lenk, music Debby Knight & friends.. Bring clean shoes, please! Flyer. $8. Info: 617/547-7781. FAC INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE PARTY – Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont. 8-11. 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.

S U N D A Y	*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 CYCLES – Church of Our Saviour, 21 Marathon St., Arlington. 6:30 to 8:30. $10. Info: Website, 857/919-1926. *SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE – Church of Our Saviour, 25 Monmouth St., Brookline, 6:30-8:30. Basic & experienced instruction. Jan 3 Annual 12th Night party (6:30-10), light supper at intermission, music White Cockade, $10. Bring soft-soled shoes please. $5. Info: 617/661-5899 or 781/321-7452.

2^nd S U N	*GAMMALDANS – Park Ave Congregational Church, Park Ave. at Paul Revere Rd., Arlington Hts., 2-5 pm. Easy Scandinavian dances, now with “More Mostly Waltz”. Each session begins with a workshop featuring one specific dance, followed by requests. Live music by John Chambers & friends. Please bring clean shoes. $7. Speledans, 781/891-3207.

3^rd S U N	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.

4^th S U N	*MOSTLY WALTZ for Boston – Springstep, 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. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2-4:30 One-Step workshop, $10/$6. Info: 781/395-1066.

Special Events
Saturday, Jan. 2 GALA HOLIDAY PARTY [English] – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 7:30-11. Led by Joanna Reiner, music by Karen Axelrod, Peter Barnes and Mary Lea. Festive attire is encouraged, an elegant dessert buffet will be served. $15/students under 25 w/ valid student ID $5. More details & a flyer. Info: 781/662-6710. Sunday, Jan. 3 *NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. New England Barn Dances and World Dances with Dillon Bustin and Judith Stames-Hamilton, 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. 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. Sunday, Jan. 17 *NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCES – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. New England Barn Dances with Sarah Gregory Smith and Jacob Bloom, 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, 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. Sunday, Jan. 24 Annual ENGLISH SCOTTISH PARTY – Church of Our Saviour, Monmouth St., Brookline, 3 pm. MCs Roberta Lasnik & Linda Nelson, music Anne Hooper & Ken Allen. $12/CDS-BC & Boston Branch RSCDS members $10. Info: 617/864-3410. 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. Saturday, Feb. 6 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 Joyce Crouch. $7 for ball registrants/$9 non-registrants. More details & a flyer. Info: 781/662-6710. Sunday, Feb. 7 *NEFFA/FAC Family Dance – Scout 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. Sunday, Feb. 21 *NEFFA/FAC Family Dance – Corinthian Lodge,58 Monument Square, Concord, 2-4 pm. New England Barn Dances and World Dances with Jacob Bloom and Judith Stames-Hamilton, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages welcome. $5/person, $20 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/662-7475, or NEFFA: 781/662-6710. Sunday, Feb. 28 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 Joyce Crouch. $7 for ball registrants/$9 non-registrants. More details & a flyer. Info: 781/662-6710. Contents © Copyright 2009 by the Folk Arts Center of New England.

Special Events

Saturday, Jan. 2
GALA HOLIDAY PARTY [English] – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 7:30-11. Led by Joanna Reiner, music by Karen Axelrod, Peter Barnes and Mary Lea. Festive attire is encouraged, an elegant dessert buffet will be served. $15/students under 25 w/ valid student ID $5. More details & a flyer. Info: 781/662-6710.

Sunday, Jan. 3
*NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. New England Barn Dances and World Dances with Dillon Bustin and Judith Stames-Hamilton, 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.

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.

Sunday, Jan. 17
*NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCES – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. New England Barn Dances with Sarah Gregory Smith and Jacob Bloom, 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, 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.

Sunday, Jan. 24
Annual ENGLISH SCOTTISH PARTY – Church of Our Saviour, Monmouth St., Brookline, 3 pm. MCs Roberta Lasnik & Linda Nelson, music Anne Hooper & Ken Allen. $12/CDS-BC & Boston Branch RSCDS members $10. Info: 617/864-3410.

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.

Saturday, Feb. 6
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 Joyce Crouch. $7 for ball registrants/$9 non-registrants. More details & a flyer. Info: 781/662-6710.

Sunday, Feb. 7
*NEFFA/FAC Family Dance – Scout 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.

Sunday, Feb. 21
*NEFFA/FAC Family Dance – Corinthian Lodge,58 Monument Square, Concord, 2-4 pm. New England Barn Dances and World Dances with Jacob Bloom and Judith Stames-Hamilton, music by Cal Howard & Friends. All dances taught, all ages welcome. $5/person, $20 family max. Bring clean shoes, please! Info FAC: 781/662-7475, or NEFFA: 781/662-6710.

Sunday, Feb. 28
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 Joyce Crouch. $7 for ball registrants/$9 non-registrants. More details & a flyer. Info: 781/662-6710.