The Flying Shoes First Friday Dance Series includes:
- 6:00 pm ~ All Comers Band warms up and chooses tunes
- 6:30 pm ~ Community Dance with music by the All Comers Band and calling by Chrissy Fowler and Lisa Newcomb
- 7:30 pm ~ Social Break
- 8:00 pm ~ Contra Dance with various musicians and callers
Why the FAQ?
When we moved to First Church in November of 2022, it had been a very long time since First Fridays looked like this (32 months, in fact!) Some things changed, and other things remain the same. We hope this FAQ will be useful to old-timers and new folks alike, as we joyfully tie on our flying shoes.
Why so much information?
Well… we know it’s kind of over the top, but we want to be transparent about communicating various aspects of First Fridays, from the comfortably familiar to the brand new. We welcome input from our community; send an email if you have questions or want to offer constructive feedback.
What is in the BFS Community Care Policy?
Available via links on the BFS website, the Community Care Policy articulates our nonprofit’s guiding principles and values, explains expectations for BFS participants, asks participants to do three things (act with kindness, respect our sober/chem free status, and be responsible), makes note of special considerations related to illness, and outlines what BFS will do with respect to the topics in the policy. Attending a BFS program entails each participant’s agreement to abide by the expectations in the policy.
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What is the Community Dance?
Fun and simple dances for all ages, such as those presented at weddings or schools. Calling by Chrissy Fowler and Lisa Newcomb. Music by the All Comers Band, led by a core ensemble and open to all musicians. New dancers, experienced dancers, families, and musicians all collaborate to create the event.
What is the Social Break?
A sociable half-hour between the Community Dance and Contra Dance, with emphasis on strengthening community connections through shared conversation.
What is the Contra Dance?
Zesty dances and tunes in a program of contras and other dances presented by a variety of talented callers and musicians. All participants collaborate to create the event.
How can I help to make these Flying Shoes dances happen?
- Volunteer – Many hands make the shoes fly! To lend your hands for dances or other programs, and to learn about ways you can help, complete the BFS volunteer info form or send us an email.
- Contribute – Tax-deductible donations to the BFS Annual Appeal provide critical support to our small nonprofit and its many programs, including First Friday dances. Find out more at belfastflyingshoes.org/support.
- Become a First Friday Sponsor – These local businesses were the First Friday Sponsors in 2022: The Green Store, Coyote Moon, First National Bank, First National Wealth Management, Thomas Fowler Professional Engineer, and (of course!) Colburn Shoe Store. Let us know if you want to be a sponsor this year!
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Where is the dance?
The fellowship hall at the First Church in Belfast, UCC, located at 8 Court Street, Belfast ME with entrance on Spring Street (to the left of the rainbow flag in photo).
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- A beautiful wood floor and lots of windows
- The second floor fellowship hall is accessible by elevator
- Multiple areas to change and/or clean your (flying) shoes
Why the new venue?
During the pandemic, the Legion leadership changed their policies for rentals, doubled the rent, and considered reconfiguring the hall for other purposes. As we researched other possibilities, the First Church emerged as a great fit.
Plus, it’s got some history! As many know, Flying Shoes is just one thread in the longstanding fabric of participatory social dancing in Belfast. (For example, a map displayed at the Belfast Free Library shows local contra dance venues from the 19th century.) In more recent years (1980s-1990s) a bunch of folks played, called, and danced at First Church, including the Tugmutton Trailsiders, Bennett Verbeck, Gregory Moore, Small Craft Advisory, Shana Hansen, Oakum Bay String Band, Calliope, John McIntire, and Joanne & Morten Moesswilde, to name a few. We’re tickled to bring dancing back to the First Church!
Where’s parking?
Street parking (or the Post Office lot, Camden National Bank plaza off Main St, and City parking lot off Church St)
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How much is admission?
- Community Dance – $1 for kids, $2 for adults, and free for the All Comers Band musicians.
- Contras – $15-20 sliding scale. Everyone is welcome. Pay as much as you can, to cover expenses and compensate performers.
What does “pay as much as you can” mean?
We can cover our costs if people pay $15-20 admission for the contra dance, so that’s what we’re asking. And, everyone is welcome!
BFS dancers come from all walks of life, and we believe financial accessibility for dancers is as important as fiscal responsibility for our nonprofit and equitable compensation for performers.
We know some folks might pay a little less, and we hope that other folks will pay a little more. We don’t need explanations or justifications for your admission choice. When you come to the contra dance, knowing that $15-20 admission, we trust you to pay as much as you can.
How can I pay?
Cash ~ Check ~ Venmo* ~ Credit/Debit/PayPal*
*Electronic payment… Use your phone to scan the QR code for Venmo or our online payment system (credit/debit/PayPal)
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What do Larks and Robins have to do with contra dancing?
At the contra dance (& sometimes the community dance), dance partners assume two different dance roles – one role for each person. At the BFS contra dance, callers will use gender-neutral role terms: Larks and Robins. If you’re curious to learn more or are accustomed to other role terms, see “Role Terms at BFS Contras”.
What should I wear?
- Clean-soled shoes that won’t mark the floor
- Comfortable layers
What else might I bring?
- Reusable water bottle (for hydrating)
- Extra shirts to change into (in case you get sweaty)
- Masks if you want to wear one (and a variety of masks will be available at the door)
- Your favorite hand sanitizer (simple, low-scent ones will be available at the dance)
- A warm layer, for when you are sitting down or playing in the All Comers Band (the windows will be open, with fans going)
Anything to not bring or wear?
- Heavy perfumes or deodorants (some folks are sensitive to strong scents)
- Alcohol or drugs (BFS events are sober/chem free)
- Pets
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Why the Contact List?
Attendees can optionally provide their name and email address, indicating if they want to receive (a) Health updates (See Community Care Policy), (b) Volunteer invitations (to trade help at the dance for free admission), (c) Emails from BFS.
What about reducing the spread of illness?
This kind of dancing brings together people from all walks of life in really beautiful ways. It is high touch and high joy, and is incredible for building face-to-face community among the participants!
At the same time, this close contact activity carries an increased possibility of transmitting illness. While this is a relatively low concern for some folks, for others it’s a significant issue, especially with Covid, flu, and colds still circulating.
Please stay home if you feel ill.
Also, in our local community and in cultures worldwide, people wear masks to reduce transmission of illness. (See CDC for one study, which cites other research.) The BFS Community Care Policy (on our website, and posted at dances) asks attendees to consider wearing a mask, especially indoors and when dancing. If you want to wear a mask, bring your favorite one or get one at the dance. (BFS is offering masks at the door, including N95, KN94, and FFP2 types.)
We also have fans. Ventilation and air exchange can help keep us all healthy. Plus, when shoes are flying and the music & dancing are hot, it’s nice to have fresh air!
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Is there anything else?
We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor! But if you aren’t feeling ready to join us on First Fridays, we understand. We hope that you’ll find other places to fill your cup of participatory music and dance–-whether at different BFS programs or at other dance and music offerings in Belfast & beyond. Keep in touch and keep your flying shoes tied on!