Wow, it’s been way too long since we posted on our blog. And a LOT has been happening for BFS! Programs proceed apace, the 2024 Annual Report just came back from the printer, the Flying Shoes website has a fresh new design, and over the past few months, we’ve quietly acknowledged several transitions in BFS leadership.
Programs
As our e-news subscribers know, BFS has plenty of programs! The monthly First Friday series is thriving, and we’ve already had a bunch of other public programs so far this year (springtime youth jam sessions, the weekly Flying Shoes Radio Hour, and a workshop/showcase for brand new callers.) Program partnerships have included the 3rd Sunday Midcoast Maine Community Square Dance Parties, an Equinox dance in Rockport, a conference for dance organizers (Puttin’ On the Dance), and a maypole dance. And we continue to invest in our work with preK-12 students, with older adults, and with incarcerated men at the Reentry Center. To find out about all the BFS happenings to come, you can sign up for e-news on our website: belfastflyingshoes.org
FSRH Podcast
With CDSS and WBFY, we launched a Podcast version of the Flying Shoes Radio Hour, featuring conversations and tunes with musicians who play for contra dances. One enthusiastic listener emailed, “I smiled all the way through both episodes, and am about to listen to Wild Asparagus a second time. What a gift! Thanks for the time you put into this.” The FSRH podcast is available across all platforms – search on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also subscribe here.
BFS Annual Report 2024
Our latest Annual Report is hot off the presses, and available digitally here. Once again, the Board compiled images, words, charts, and lists to convey the state of our nonprofit and the impact and joy of our programs. Let us know if you want a copy!
Website
Alden Robinson of Waterbound Web Works did a phenomenal job redesigning our website over the past year. We love the new look and functionality, from event listings and blog posts to our support page and program descriptions… and more! Enjoy clicking around in the online BFS world.
Ethan Tischler
In December 2024, Ethan completed his 3 year term on the Board. As a new board member during the Covid-19 pandemic, he was essential to BFS work, including motivating the Board to decide when, how, and why we needed to resume our dance programming. His perspective as a professional musician and educator was invaluable, especially related to his interest in youth engagement. The Board and ED treasured Ethan’s ability to thoughtfully pause, think beyond the obvious, and use his heart with intention. With a warm smile that envelops his entire face, Ethan brought an upbeat, optimistic, and caring quality to his contributions to BFS. We miss him, and are grateful for his involvement!
Peg Pickering & Chuck Markowitz
Earlier in 2024, we had the good fortune to welcome to the Board two longtime members of the All Comers Band: Chuck Markowitz and Peg Pickering. Peg is a member of many local musical ensembles and a retired Registered Nurse, with deep roots in our region. Besides being in love with all things musical, she’s a natural promoter, with a deep willingness to help and a diligent eagerness to learn. Chuck also loves being part of a community, especially the vibrant musical community in Midcoast Maine, where he plays with local ensembles and Bagaduce Music programs. As a retired ER Physician, he’s honest and forthright, and generously shares his extensive prior board experience to enhance his service on the BFS Board, including as a member of the finance committee. We’re thrilled the two of them are making an impact on Flying Shoes! (Learn more about Chuck & Peg here: About BFS.)
Willy Clemetson & Benjamin Foss
Willy and Benjamin assumed leadership of the All Comers Band at a critical moment, shortly after we resumed First Friday dances in 2022. They often led the band together, but could carry it solo whenever their touring schedules required. As energetic musicians with great instincts, they brought new tunes, humor, and talent to their leadership with the ACB. From raucously singing “Possum Up a Gump Stump”, to the easy-to-follow “pied piper” rhythm of Benjamin’s banjo and Willy’s foot percussion, they connected with the various members of the band, offered tips, learned names, and, most importantly, encouraged the ACB forward. We’re grateful for their contributions!
Maisie Newell
Our new All Comers Band leader, Maisie Newell, has an upbeat “can-do” attitude and an infectious smile on top of her lifelong musical talent. With her rich experiences playing diverse genres, Maisie is also open to bringing new things to the ACB, including other members of her musically talented family. We’re glad she’s leading the band!
Lisa Newcomb
Last, but certainly not least, we celebrate Lisa Newcomb! A gifted dance teacher and founder of the Belfast Dance Studio, where BFS currently shares office space, Lisa loves all things dance-related, drawing on countless cultural traditions for her work and her She regularly contra danced “back in the day” in Liberty and Bowdoinham, and she was a member of the Union Harvest renegade mixed morris dance team. After BFS was founded, Lisa often brought her kids and grandchild to the 1st Fri dances. (In fact, Lisa and her family appear during the Flying Shoes portion of the amazing “Belfast is Happy” video from 2014.)
With encouragement and excitement from Chrissy Fowler, Lisa began co-calling the Community Dance most months, starting around 2018. The two women loved their collegial partnership as they learned new material, planned the evening’s program together, and established new traditions for the thriving series. It was a process that enriched both women as well as the dancers!
A lifelong learner, Lisa also honed her skill with others, including at a weekend for community dance leaders (Pourparler) and a CDSS dance camp at Pinewoods. Recently, she decided to step down as co-caller, to make room for travel and other projects (including her parent-child class at Ashwood Waldorf School and her Tuesday morning movement and fitness class at the Dance Studio.) We’re deeply grateful for the years of passion and enthusiasm that Lisa devoted to the BFS Community Dance, and hope she dances with us on many First Fridays to come! (Now that would definitely make Belfast happy!)
