About Folk Dancing
Folk dances are the traditional social dances of ethnic groups, both rural and urban, from all over the world. Social dances are participatory dances done at weddings, parties, and other gatherings.
Recreational international folk dancing is based on social dances, adapted to 2-to-5 minute formats to provide a sampling of a variety of cultures. Some of the dances we do use simple village steps; others might be choreographed to fit a particular recording. Tempos range from relaxed to lively.
FAC's repertoire includes dances from:
- the USA, Canada, Mexico, and South America
- the British Isles and Scandinavia
- Western, Central, and Eastern Europe
- the Balkan, Baltic, and Mediterranean regions
- the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine
- South Africa, Japan, and the Philippines.
How do I Start?
If you are new to folk dancing, beginner friendly FAC events to start with are the Friday Night Folk Dancing or Dancing on the Greenway summer series.
Come at the beginning and step right in; we are a friendly, supportive group. It isn't necessary to bring a partner or to have previous dance experience. Beginners and singles are always welcome! Comfortable, lightweight casual clothes and low-heeled, soft-soled, non-marking shoes are best for folk dancing.
In a typical FAC Friday evening, you will see many line and circle dances, plus some couple and set dances, each to a different recorded or live folk tune. Local folk dance bands occasionally provide music.
Each week, several dances are taught or called, and most others can be followed by watching the leading dancers. Some dances are favorites or classics that are done almost every week; others are less often done. If you attend regularly, after a while many dances will look, sound, and feel familiar to you.
The FAC video pages offer a sampler of some dances done at the FAC Friday dance and other events, as well as music and dance clips from performances, parties, and camps.