Community dances

Outdoor folk dances

Copley Square | Greater Boston

Outdoor FAC folk dances in Greater Boston

(see Copley Square for Folk Dancing by the Fountain on Tuesday evenings in July and August)

FAC’s free outdoor summer folk dances offer basic instruction and dancing for all, often accompanied by live music. It is not necessary to have previous dance experience or to attend with a partner – beginners and singles are welcome. For more information, see About folk dancing.

FAC’s FolkFone provides a recorded announcement with information about current Boston-area folk dance events. For the final word on cancellation of outdoor dances because of inclement weather or other unforeseen events, call the FolkFone at 781-438-4389, or check the home page on this website.

Outdoor folk dance schedule for 2010:

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Balkan village dance, 5:30–7:30 pm

(rescheduled from 7/10/10 because of wet conditions)

Somerville Community Growing Center

22 Vinal Avenue at Summer Street (four blocks from Union Square), Somerville, MA

FAC’s Balkan village dance features basic Balkan dance instruction by leader Jo Crawford and music by the local band Skorosmrtnica (John Chambers, Glenn Dickson, Sonia Lipson, Marguerite Ostro, Charlie Rapport, Dan Salomon, Barry Shapiro, Yaron Shragai, Ariel Weinberg). The Growing Center is an urban oasis providing paved and grassy space for dancing. The MBTA 87 bus (Lechmere/Clarendon Hill) stops nearby on Somerville Avenue; bus routes 80, 86, 88, and 91 go through Union Square.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Folk dance in Harvard Square, 7:30–9:30 pm

Forbes Plaza, Holyoke Center

1350 Massachusetts Avenue at Dunster Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA

FAC’s Harvard Square folk dance features basic international folk dance instruction by leaders Jo Crawford and Yaron Shragai, and music by the local band Calling All Goats (Dean Brown and friends). The plaza is in front of Holyoke Center’s Au Bon Pain café at the corner of Dunster Street, near Harvard Square Station on the MBTA Red Line.

Saturday, September 11, 2010
Balkan village dance at the Winchester Farmers Market, 11:30 am
Winchester Town Common
Laraway Road/Waterfield Road/Church Street, Winchester, MA
FAC’s Balkan village dance in Winchester Center features basic Balkan dance instruction by leader Jo Crawford and music by the local band Skorosmrtnica (John Chambers, Glenn Dickson, Sonia Lipson, Marguerite Ostro, Charlie Rapport, Dan Salomon, Barry Shapiro, Yaron Shragai, Ariel Weinberg). Parking in the Aberjona lot (off Waterfield Road, by the commuter rail tracks) is free on weekends, including the permit spaces at the end of the lot.

Saturday, October 2, 2010
Folk dance at the Waltham Farmers Market (dance time to be announced)
Sovereign Bank parking lot
1 Moody Street at Main Street (across from Waltham Common), Waltham, MA
FAC’s folk dance in downtown Waltham features basic international folk dance instruction by leader Jo Crawford and music by Dean Brown and friends. The Sovereign Bank parking lot is at the left of the bank building. Parking is available in the lot behind the bank, between Main and Charles Streets.