Programs of the Folk Arts Center of New England

Dance series

Friday night dances
FAC’s weekly Friday night dances offer international folk dance instruction as well as request dancing for all levels of experience. Live music and guest teachers are often featured.

Thursday night dances
FAC’s weekly Thursday international folk dances offer mostly request dancing and limited teaching for folk dancers with previous experience.

Monthly dance parties
FAC’s monthly Saturday or summer Friday dance parties offer international folk dancing for all levels, with all-request programs and live music by various bands.

Mostly Waltz for Boston
FAC and Mostly Waltz for Boston present monthly Sunday afternoon couple dancing (waltz, tango, polka, swing, schottis, hambo), with a teaching session followed by open dancing to live music.

Scandinavian Sundays
FAC and Scandia Boston present once- or twice-monthly Sunday afternoon workshops in Scandinavian music and couple dancing (hambo, reinlender/schottis, waltz, various polkas, pols, and polskas), followed by open dancing to live music.

Outdoor folk dances
FAC presents a FREE outdoor summer folk dancing series in Copley Square, Boston, plus occasional other FREE dances in Greater Boston locations such as Depot Square, Lexington; Robbins Farm Park, Arlington; and Harvard Square, Cambridge.

Dance and music camps

Hungarian Dance Weekend at Pinewoods
Co-sponsored by FAC and Boston’s Forgás Hungarian Dance Group, this early June weekend at Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth, MA offers Hungarian and Transylvanian improvisational folk dance workshops, evening dance parties, and various special events.

International Pinewoods
FAC’s late June extended-weekend and weekday sessions at Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth, MA feature international folk dance and music workshops and evening folk dance parties with music by The Pinewoods Band.

Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods
Co-sponsored by FAC and Country Dance Society, Boston Centre, this four-day session at Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth, MA offers American, English country, and international dancing, plus international music workshops, children’s classes, and parties.

Oktoberfest
FAC’s Columbus Day weekend at Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT features international folk dance and music workshops and evening folk dance parties with music by The Pinewoods Band.

Annual events

Balkan Music Night
FAC’s feast of Balkan music presents more than a dozen bands in a six-hour Balkan dance party. This late-winter event also features sing-alongs and a “kefana” for acoustic music. The 35th Balkan Music Night is on March 21, 2020.

FAC Benefit Gala
FAC’s annual fundraising event features food, entertainment, a silent auction, and folk dancing for all. Our 45th anniversary Benefit Gala is on March 28, 2020.

New Year’s Eve dance
FAC rings in the New Year with four hours of international folk dancing with music by The Pinewoods Band, plus festive decorations, plentiful refreshments, and a midnight toast.

Music programs

International Music Club
FAC’s International Music Club presents monthly Sunday afternoon workshops in international folk dance music for instrumentalists and singers of all levels. IMC members play and sing once a month for our Friday dances.

Special events

Tour in Czech Republic with Dvorana’s Jan Pumpr and FAC’s Marcie Van Cleave
FAC and Dvorana Travel of Prague present a tour of Prague and parts of Bohemia and Moravia, featuring culture, history, and scenic attractions, September 16–27, 2020.

Online events

During a period of social distancing, FAC presents a series of online dance workshops, reviews, dance parties, and a culture corner.

Additional events

FAC presents a variety of workshops, celebrations, themed Friday dances, and other special occasions throughout the year, in addition to our regular weekly, monthly, and annual events. Stay tuned for details!

School and community programs

FAC offers school-based folk dance and music programs and residencies that promote acceptance and appreciation of diverse cultures. These programs are designed to complement many aspects of a school’s curriculum and can be tailored to reflect the ethnic composition of local populations. FAC dance leaders are also involved in community outreach projects with adult education programs, senior citizens, Girl Scouts, Campfire Boys and Girls, and special needs groups. Contact FAC to set up a program with your school or group.