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, Room 491, 8-10:30. March 2, 9 & 16, April 6 & 20. 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, 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 (March 31). 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 March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) and April 21. $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. 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 407 or 491. March 3, 24, 31 & April 21, 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. 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 April 23. 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. $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, 349 Boston Post Rd., Weston, 8-10:45. 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. April 9 & 30. 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.

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 – 1st Church Congregational, 11 Garden St., Cambridge, 7:30 pm. English, French & Italian dances of the 15th-17th centuries. Instruction Ken Pierce, music by Renaissonics. Soft-soled shoes please! $8. Info: 617/661-3353.

4^th Fr	*RIP SNORTIN’ SQUARES – Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont St., Belmont, 8-11. NO DANCE in April. 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. March 27, April 17, both Saturdays. $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 and guests; 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. March 6 (1st Saturday, April 10. 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. $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. See website for all-day event on March 13. April 3 & 10, NOT April 24. 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. NO DANCE in April. Caller Walter Lenk, music Debby Knight & friends.. Bring clean shoes, please! Flyer. $8. Info: 617/547-7781. FAC INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE PARTY – St. John's Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant St., Arlington. 8-11. March 20 (3rd Sat.), preceded by workshop, see “Special Events”. NO DANCE in April. 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. March 7, Greek night, with live music by Maraki. April 11, Kresge Rehearsal rm. A; April 25, possible cancellation, check website. $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. 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”. Special teaching sessions by Wendy Ernst & invited Instructors. 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. additional class March 7. 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. Info: 781/395-1066.

Special Events
Sunday, March 7 NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. Traditional Dances from Around the World with Regina Laskowski & Marcie Van Cleave, 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, March 13 25th Annual BALKAN MUSIC NIGHT – Friends of the Performing Arts in Concord, 51 Walden St., Concord, 7 pm-2:30 am. Concert & dance party, all live music. $25 (concert only $20, party only $15); discount for FAC members, seniors., under 12. Advance ticket purchase recommended! Info & tickets: FAC, 781/662-7475. Saturday, March 20* LEE OTTERHOLT: Dances from the Balkans and Beyond! – St. John's Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant St., Arlington. Workshops at 2:30 & 4:30 Each wkshp $15/FAC members $13/students $10, or both: $28/ FAC members $24/students $18. Followed by FAC's monthly Saturday party in the same location. More details. FAC, info 781/662-7475. Sunday, March 21 NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. New England Barn Dances with Jacqueline & Dudley Laufman, 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.

Special Events

Sunday, March 7
NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. Traditional Dances from Around the World with Regina Laskowski & Marcie Van Cleave, 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, March 13
*25th Annual BALKAN MUSIC NIGHT – Friends of the Performing Arts in Concord, 51 Walden St., Concord, 7 pm-2:30 am. Concert & dance party, all live music. $25 (concert only $20, party only $15); discount for FAC members, seniors., under 12. Advance ticket purchase recommended! Info & tickets: FAC, 781/662-7475.

Saturday, March 20
LEE OTTERHOLT: Dances from the Balkans and Beyond! – St. John's Episcopal Church, 74 Pleasant St., Arlington. Workshops at 2:30 & 4:30 Each wkshp $15/FAC members $13/students $10, or both: $28/ FAC members $24/students $18. Followed by FAC's monthly Saturday party in the same location. More details. FAC, info 781/662-7475.

Sunday, March 21
NEFFA/FAC FAMILY DANCE – Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, 2-4 pm. New England Barn Dances with Jacqueline & Dudley Laufman, 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.