*if you use this donation method, please let us know where and when we should be ready to catch your flying shoe.

Calendar

2023

Belfast Flying Shoes programs, below, w/ details on our monthly dances, weekly Radio Hour and First Friday Sponsors

Looking for more music & dance?!?  Check the DownEast Friends of the Folk Arts online calendar ~ deffa.org/events/

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NEWSFLASH! Trying a new First Fri venue on Oct 6 – UU Church of Belfast, 37 Miller St, Belfast (2 blocks from our regular venue at First Church)  AND… we’ll have a photographer at the dance (you can opt out of being pictured in promo images if you wish)

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First Friday Dance DETAILS:

    • 6:00 pm ~ Musicians Warmup ~ Tunes on the All Comers Band page
    • 6:30-7:30 pm ~ Community Dance ~ Lisa Newcomb & Chrissy Fowler calling with the All Comers Band, led by Benjamin Foss & Willy Clemetson ~ Community Dance admission is $1 kids, $2 adults
    • 8:00-11:00 pm ~ Contra Dance ~  various callers & musicians ~ We use the terms lark and robin to identify the dance roles. (More about roles, here.) ~ Contra Dance Admission is $15 – $20 (this sliding scale lets us cover expenses, including paying the performers; all are welcome; pay what you can)
    • First Church in Belfast UCC, 8 Court St, Belfast (Fellowship Hall entrance is on Spring St)
    • See Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ ~ BFS programs are chem free (please be sober) ~ Stay home if you don’t feel well
    • First Friday Sponsors:  Artisan Builders, Belfast Community Co-op, Colburn Shoe Store, First Light Community Midwives, The Grasshopper Shop, Grace Chiropractic, The Green Store, Holly No. 7, North Branch Farm, Searsport Shores, Thomas Fowler PE, and Worth Real Estate
    • Everyone is welcome at this two-part monthly dance series. From neophytes to lifelong participants, and so many other demographic variations, we all collaborate to make this community-building participatory arts program a joyful success. See you at the dance!

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Upcoming BFS Programs & BFS-sponsored Events:

SEPT 22 – OCT 5  All Week Long 24/7! ~ Special two-part Flying Shoes Radio Hour show, recorded live in the WBFY studio, with Chrissy Fowler interviewing guest musicians, Willy Clemetson & Benjamin Foss, the talented leaders of the All Comers Band. Tune in! 100.9 FM, via livestream on Wednesdays at 1pm and Fridays at 6pm, or on demand via the short term archive ~  Part 1 aired Friday Sept 22, will re-air Wed Sept 27, and is available on demand until Thurs Sept 28. Part 2 will air Friday Sept 29, re-air Wed Oct 4, and will be available on demand until Thurs Oct 5.  (We’re also hoping to make both shows available as a podcast, so stay tuned!)

OCT 4, Wednesday ~ Square Dance at Searsport Shores ~ partnership program with the Makers Guild of Maine ~ 5:-00 – 7:00 pm, old time square dance with Sue Hulsether (calling) and Emily Jeffries (fiddle), Eric Dayan (guitar), and Alex Scala (bass) in the dance pavilion at Searsport Shores, part of Wednesday at the Shores, at Searsport Shores, 216 West Main St in Searsport. Music, dancing, food, and community!  More details.

OCT 5, Thursday ~ Pop-up! Dance/Song Workshop for Educators and Teaching Artists ~ Sue Hulsether will facilitate a participatory session, sharing tips and repertoire from her experiences helping kids (and adults) in the public school setting learn and benefit from the joys of community dance and song (including some of the dances in her book, Join Up Hands).  Circa 6:45 – 8:45 pm at the Belfast Dance Studio, 109 High St, Belfast, free of charge. (Freewill donations accepted to the Belfast Flying Shoes Annual Appeal.) Email [email protected] for more details.

OCT 6 ~ First Friday Dances ~ NEWSFLASH! Trying a new First Fri venue on Oct 6 – UU Church of Belfast, 37 Miller St, Belfast (2 blocks from First Church) and a photographer will be on hand (opt out at the dance if you don’t to be in promo images) ~ (Scroll to top of page for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ) The contra dance features Sue Hulsether calling, with music by Sycamore (Cedar Stanistreet & Michael Sokolovsky) and John Pranio on sound.

OCT 22 ~ Sun at 4:00 pm: BFS sponsors Live Outside the Library, free music series at Searsmont Town Library ~ Halcyon String Quartet

OCT 26 ~ Thurs at 7:00 pm: BFS sponsors Live Outside the Library, free music series at Searsmont Town Library ~ Rupert Wates

NOV 3 ~ First Friday Dances ~ (Scroll up for details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ)

NOV 17, Friday ~ OH! Flying Shoes! ~ Special 3rd Friday dance while the Brooks dance is on winter break ~ Program partnership with the Rockport Opera House and the Town of Rockport ~ 6pm All Comers Band Warmup | 6:30-7:30 Community Dance: Chrissy Fowler calling with the All Comers Band | 8-11 pm Contra Dance: Nils Fredland calling with Red Case Band (Clara Stickney – fiddle & harp; Max Newman – guitar & mandolin; Stuart Kenney – upright bass & banjo; Matthew Kenney – percussion) $15-25 sliding scale admission. The Rockport Opera House is at 6 Central St in Rockport. Come let your shoes fly at this special program in a gorgeous & historic hall on the harbor in the coastal village of Rockport!  (*for folks only attending community dance, it’s $1kids/$2adults) 

DEC 1 ~ First Friday Dances ~ Celebrating our 18th BFS Birthday Party! ~ (Scroll up for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ)

JAN 5 ~ First Friday Dances ~ (Scroll up for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ)

FEB 2 ~ First Friday Dances ~ (Scroll up for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ)

MARCH 1 ~ First Friday Dances ~ (Scroll up for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ)

MARCH 15 ~ OH! Flying Shoes! ~ Special 3rd Friday dance while the Brooks dance is on winter break ~ Program partnership with the Rockport Opera House and the Town of Rockport ~ 6pm All Comers Band Warmup | 6:30-7:30 Community Dance: Chrissy Fowler calling with the All Comers Band | 8-11 pm Contra Dance: Lisa Greenleaf calling with Eloise & Co. (Becky Tracy – fiddle; Rachel Bell – accordion; Bethany Waickman – guitar) $15-25 sliding scale admission. The Rockport Opera House is at 6 Central St in Rockport. Come let your shoes fly at this special program in a gorgeous & historic hall on the harbor in the coastal village of Rockport!  (*for folks only attending community dance, it’s $1kids/$2adults) 

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Every WEEK ~ Flying Shoes Radio Hour: 

An hour-long program that highlights the roots and branches of the contra dance music we love, here in Belfast and beyond; the musicians who play it with and for others; and the dancers of all ages that it inspires.

Every MONTH ~ “Flying Shoes First Fridays”

Participatory social dance programs (see info above). Supported in part by these fabulous First Friday Sponsors:

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Past Programs:

JANUARY 6 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ Chrissy Fowler and the Gawler Family Band (Ellen, John, Molly, Edith & Elsie Gawler, Ethan Tischler & Bennett Konesni) with Eric Weest Johnson on sound.

FEB. 3 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ This month’s contra dance features Chris Ricciotti and SpringTide (Elsie Gawler, Willy Clemetson & Ethan Tischler) with John Pranio on sound.

MARCH 3 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ This month’s contra dance features Maggie Robinson and Drive Train (Ed Howe, Stuart Kenney & Bennett Konesni) with Ed Howe on sound.

MARCH 11, Saturday ~ **POSTPONED** OH! Flying Shoes ~ Community Dance & Contras at the Rockport Opera House, Rockport ME  ~ Due to water damage at the Opera House, we’re rescheduling our collaboration with the Rockport Opera House.

APRIL 7 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ (Scroll to top of page for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ) This month’s contra dance features Hannah Chamberlain calling, with music by Benjamin Foss, Alden Robinson & Glen Loper, and Eric Weest Johnson on sound.

MAY 4, Thursday ~ Musicians’ Workshop: Playing for Dances ~ Partnership Program w/Waterfall Arts ~ Practical wisdom and tools of the trade from stellar dance musicians, Emily Troll & Larry Unger. Emily leads open bands in Maine and beyond; Larry teaches dance musicians at camps and festivals throughout North America. We’re thrilled to have them offer this workshop in Belfast! The two-hour workshop starts at 6:00 pm at Waterfall Arts, 256 High St in Belfast. Doors open at 5:30. Come early to get tuned up! Sliding scale admission $10-25. Check the BFS Community Care Policy.

Emily Troll parading
Larry Unger at a Boating Party

MAY 5 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ (Scroll to top of page for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ) This month’s contra dance features Chrissy Fowler calling, with music by Emily Troll & Larry Unger and Eric Weest Johnson on sound.

MAY 7, Sunday ~ Waltz Time ~ Special Waltz Workshop* & Open Waltzing ~ Workshop* starts at 2:00-3:00 pm, with workshop* leader Alyssa Adkins and music by Benjamin Foss & Larry Unger. Open waltzing 3:15-5:00 pm with Benjamin, Larry & the All Comers Band, featuring waltz tunes composed by Larry Unger.  At the Unitarian Universalist Church, 37 Miller St in Belfast. (Greater Belfast has a variety of eateries, if you want to extend the evening  with a meal!) Check the BFS Community Care Policy. Suggested admission $15. Everyone is welcome. Pay what you can, knowing that admission supports the performers and the BFS nonprofit.

* About the waltz workshop, Alyssa says: “You’ll be dancing in no time after this introductory waltz workshop!  We’ll look at what makes up good partner dance frame, go over basic steps and turns, and do fun connection games so we can work towards flowing, satisfying waltzing.  Come if you’ve never waltzed before, or if you’re experienced and want to brush up.  No partner necessary, just be sure to bring shoes you can spin well in.”

JUNE 2 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ (Scroll to top of page for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ) The contra dance features Hannah Chamberlain calling, with music by Alden Robinson, Benjamin Foss & Bennett Konesni, and Alex Hennings on sound.

JUNE 10, Saturday ~ Special Community Contra Dance with music by John Pranio, Toki Oshima, Benjamin Foss and the All Comers Band (all musicians welcome!) Calling by Chrissy Fowler. At the Searsmont Town Library, 37 Main St South, Searsmont, ME.  Outdoors on the lawn (rain location in the community room). Dancing starts at 4:00 pm. Bring your own picnic to enjoy after the dance! Come to dance, play, or just listen to the music.  Part of the Live Outside the Library free music series supported by BFS and the Onion Foundation.

JUNE 24 ~ Sat at 4:00 pm: BFS sponsors Live Outside the Library, free music series at Searsmont Town Library ~ Blues Prophets

JUNE 29 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Jaded Ravins | Hot Suppers

JULY 6 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Undertow Brass Band

JULY 7 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ (Scroll to top of page for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ) The contra dance features Nils Fredland calling, with music by Spintuition (Willy Clemetson, Samuel Foucher & Silas Hamilton) and Lincoln Clapp on sound.

JULY 13 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Fully Funktional  | Bone Broth

JULY 15 ~ Sat morning: BFS sponsors Live Outside the Library, free music series at Searsmont Town Library ~ Book & Bake Sale w/ The Pinwheel Brothers

JULY 20 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Searsmont Street Band

JULY 27 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Monday Nite Jazz Orchestra (MOJO)

JULY 29 ~ Sat at 4:00 pm: BFS sponsors Live Outside the Library, free music series at Searsmont Town Library ~ Primo Cubano

JULY 30, Sunday ~ Armenian Picnic at Searsport Shores ~ partnership program with the Makers Guild of Maine ~ Daylong Armenian Picnic, 11-4, with music, dancing, food (order ahead!), and community. Featuring Leo Derderian & Bob Arzigian. Dancing taught & led by Carolyn Okoomian Rapkievian with dance music by Kotwica ensemble, led by David Rapkievian.  More details.

AUG 3 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Louisa Stancioff + the Kelly Brothers | Becca Biggs

AUG 4 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ (Scroll to top of page for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ)  The contra dance features Dereck Kalish calling, with music by Don & Cindy Roy, and Eric Johnson on sound.

AUG 10 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Phil Hummer + The White Falcons | The Right Track

AUG 12 ~ Sat at 4:00 pm: BFS sponsors Live Outside the Library, free music series at Searsmont Town Library ~ Sorcha Cribben-Merrill Trio

AUG 17 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Eric Lilliquist | Jacob McCurdy + His Large Adult Sons

AUG 24 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Tuba Skinny

AUG 31 ~ Thurs at 5:30 pm: BFS sponsors Summer Nights at Steamboat Landing ~ Noah Fishman + Friends | Three Button Deluxe

AUG 31, Thursday ~ Dance Caller Geek Out ~ A collegial get-together in Belfast for folks who lead contra/square/community dances, facilitated by Lisa Greenleaf. 7:00-8:30 pm at Social Capital, 28 Spring St in Belfast. Suggested donation $5-10.

A gifted teacher, dedicated mentor, and a caller with decades of experience in myriad dance settings, Lisa will help attendees explore ways that dance leaders can cultivate positive style habits, enhance dancer satisfaction, and connect a whole room full of people through this awesome form of social dance. All are welcome. More info: [email protected]

SEPT 1 ~ Flying Shoes on First Fridays ~ (Scroll to top of page for dance details, incl. Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ) The contra dance features Lisa Greenleaf calling, with music by Rebecca Weiss, Rose Jackson & Benjamin Foss, and Eric Weest Johnson on sound.

SEPT 9,  Saturday~ Scandinavian Music Workshop ~ partnership program w/ Bagaduce Music ~ Andrea Larson and Bennett Konesni team up to lead some great Scandi tunes and techniques for musicians. All levels welcome, simple fun tunes for dancing, and learning about melody and harmony in the Nordic folk context. For strings and keys. At Bagaduce Music, 49 South Street, Blue Hill, ME, 2:00-5:30 pm. Register.

SEPT 10,  Sunday ~ Scandinavian Dance Party ~ partnership program w/ Bagaduce Music ~ Award-winning musician and dance leader, Andrea Larson, returns to Belfast to teach easy-to-learn Scandi dancing, including slängpolska, schottis, and waltzes. Andrea hails from Virginia, and will be joined by local musicians who delight in playing Scandi tunes. Doors Open at 2:30;   Workshop from 3-4 pm;   Open Scandi Dancing w/ music by the Belfast Spelmanslag from 4:15-5:30 pm.  At the Unitarian Universalist Church, 37 Miller St in Belfast. (Greater Belfast has a variety of eateries, if you want to extend the evening with a meal!) Check the BFS Community Care Policy. Admission $15. Everyone is welcome.

SEPT 15-17,  Friday – Sunday ~ Strung Together: Old Time & Bluegrass Camp Out ~ partnership program with the Makers Guild of Maine  Head on over to Searsport Shores for a weekend of tunes, jams, and even some contra dancing!  At 12 noon on Sat, Willy Clemetson will lead a lunchtime workshop on playing for dances. On Saturday evening at 5:30 pm, Willy is joined by caller Chrissy Fowler to help folks do-si-do and swing on the new dance floor, just before the evening coffee house. And you’ll get to hang out w/ lots of folks from the contra dance community, including the Montville Project (George, Art & Fred); Bluebird (Tom & Annadeene, John & Toki) and local musicians from Midcoast groups like SeaStrings & the Belfast Bay Fiddlers. Plus, the headliners include Cindy Kallet & Grey Larson and Erica Brown & Matt Shipman. Wowee! Come for the weekend, come for the dancing! (Dancers for Saturday evening can register in advance or pay on arrival.) More info https://makersguildmaine.org/strung-together/ or on the BFS calendar.

SEPT 23 ~ Sat at 7:00 pm: BFS sponsors Live Outside the Library, free music series at Searsmont Town Library ~ Kala Farnham

See top of page for Upcoming Programs!