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17 April 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

Events This Week

Thursday Night Folk Dancing

April 17 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

Please join us at tonight's Thursday Night Dance, programmed this week by Julie Sussman!  Sue Rose will review Dani Dassa's Ashrei Ha'ish, and Laura Billmers will review Dick Crum's 5 Figure Čačak. We hope to see you there!


Thursday's live music schedule through June:


May 1 -- JUNE CAMP TRIO

(Tom P, Ralph I, Brian W)


May 15 -- WOODSHED BAND

(their Thursday Night debut ❤️)


June 5 -- GOATS 

rescheduled from February ***** BLEAT!!


--Sue Rose

Friday Night Folk Dancing

April 18 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

April in New England is such an exciting month!  Four seasons’ worth of weather, packed into just 30 days. You never know how you should self-attire every morning - and if you’re batting better than .250 in the “guessed correctly about what to wear department”, you’re an All-Star!!


Fortunately, in the Certainty Department Friday night dances are much more dependable than Mother Nature in April.  If you make the decision to join us this week, chances are excellent that you will score a hat trick: great company, great music and dance, and great exercise.


If you make it to Arlington Heights this week, you can definitely put the day in the Win Column!


--Marcie

Calendar

Special Events


Friday, May 16: Dance Workshop with Lee Otterholt (Arlington, MA)



50th Anniversary Events


Saturday, July 26: The Village Table Potluck Picnic (Lexington, MA)


Saturday, September 27: Benefit Gala (Belmont, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Thursday, April 17: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Friday, April 18: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Thursday, May 1: Thursday Night Folk Dancing - June Camp Trio (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, May 3: Monthly Dance Party - Pixton Iverson Wilson (Belmont, MA and online)



Camps and Tours


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


October 23 – November 2:  Cultural Tour of the Czech Republic

This week's contributors:

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: 50th Anniversary Committee, Updates proofreader

Sue Rose: Thursday Night Folk Dancing coordinator

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director, Friday Night Folk Dancing coordinator

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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10 April 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

This Week

Friday Night Folk Dancing

April 11 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

Oh, dear. It looks like we are heading into another wash-out weekend starting tomorrow. I suggest that the best thing you can do is wear your Wellies, let a smile be your umbrella, and come to the Friday night dance!


There will be treats in store and fun galore! The treats will be in the form of friendly faces (and maybe some tasty snacks, too); the fun element will be created together, dancing, talking, and laughing the night away!


Can’t make it this week? Perhaps your calendar (and the weather) will be more forgiving next Friday (April 18)! 


--Marcie

Mostly Waltz

April 13 • Concord, MA • 2pm

We hope you can join us Sunday for another Mostly Waltz dance at the Concord Scout House. Dance musician extraordinaire Karen Axelrod will be back playing this month, alongside Boston-area fiddler Molly Tucker! 


In the pre-dance lesson, Tim Lamm will focus on cross step waltz, including "cross behind" moves as well as some of the moves taught by Susan at our workshops last month. He will also devote some time to working on ochos.


Next dance, May 17: Music by Stairwells and Snowdrops (Cecily Mills & Steven Bluestein)


--Diane Gonzales

Special Event Coming Up

Workshop with Lee Otterholt

May 16 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

Heads up! FAC has been given an opportunity we couldn’t – and wouldn’t – pass up! A dance workshop with Lee Otterholt on Friday, May 16 is now on the schedule. While en route to Europe to lead several overseas tours, Lee is stopping in New England. While here he will be teaching a couple of workshops – one in Brunswick, Maine (May 9) and one at our May 16 Friday night dance in Arlington Heights!


Over the years we have enjoyed learning dances from Lee what are now repertoire favorites like Çobankat and Mori Shej, and during the pandemic we enjoyed his company online; now in May we will once again get to enjoy his teaching and dances in person!


--Marcie

Camp News 

Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods

August 29 - September 2, 2025

Pinewoods Camp sign at Cornish Field Road

FAC and the Country Dance Society, Boston Centre, are very happily collaborating on another sure-to-be-great-fun Labor Day Weekend session at Pinewoods Camp! The team of four who have been laying the groundwork are: Bella Pisani, Vince O’Donnell, Audrey Jaber, and me … and have we got a lineup of top-notch leaders and musicians! One could go so far as to say the session will fly by at full staff!


Dance leaders for the weekend are: Lisa Greenleaf (American dance caller), Melissa Running (English country dance leader), and me (International dance leader). Our musician line-up features band leaders: Vince O’Donnell, Audey Jaber, and Patrick Yacono, along with: Karen Axelrod, Kate Barnes, Anna Patton, Robert Penny, Julia Poirier, Maranda Weinstein, and Brian Wilson.


Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 29, when registration opens. Priority will be given to members of FAC and/or CDS, BC; young adult (age 16+) and adult members are also entitled to a discount. You will find all the details outlined in this newsletter and on the FAC website late next week.


-Marcie

From the Executive Director

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I share with you the news that Susan Lind-Sinanian passed away last Saturday, April 5.


Susan, along with her husband Gary, enjoyed a long history with Conny Taylor and Marianne Taylor and the Folk Arts Center … including as recently as dancing every week during the pandemic at the Sunday afternoon Cut a Rug series. She also led three workshops for FAC during the pandemic: an Armenian dance workshop with Gary, and two SOFA presentations, one on making paklava and the other as part of a Crafters Panel, describing the Armenian style of needlework, a art form at which she excelled.


In fact, Gary met Susan in part because of FAC! Gary had been dancing with Conny and Marianne on Friday nights back in the 70s, and heard them announce the 1975 Whole World Festival, sponsored by the International Institute at the Hynes Auditorium in Boston. Gary went, and who did he meet at the door, but a perky, vivacious, beautiful woman named Susan! The gods must have been smiling on him, because his name was drawn at the Festival’s raffle. The prize was dinner for two at the Averof Restaurant in Porter Square, Cambridge, and the person standing next to him at the drawing just happened to be Susan! And he just happened to ask her if she wanted to go with him. And she just happened to say yes! They wed in 1977 and had 48 years of marriage together.


We know that Susan was quite small of stature, but as Gary said, she was a giant on the campus of Perkins School for the Blind, where she worked for 40 years. He said that her strengths included always considering the best part of a person and having enormous patience in every aspect of her life.


If I was only allowed one memory of Susan, it would be of her sharing and teaching her beloved Armenian dances. The utter grace and sheer fluidity of her movements always took my breath away. This is how I will remember her - dancing Sepastia Bar as though the movements originated from her very soul.  

Calendar

Special Events


Friday, May 16: Dance Workshop with Lee Otterholt (Arlington, MA)



50th Anniversary Events


Saturday, July 26: The Village Table Potluck Picnic (Lexington, MA)


Saturday, September 27: Benefit Gala (Belmont, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Friday, April 11: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Sunday, April 13: Mostly Waltz - Karen Alexrod & Molly Tucker (Concord, MA)


Thursday, April 17: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Friday, April 18: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Thursday, May 1: Thursday Night Folk Dancing - June Camp Trio (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, May 3: Monthly Dance Party - Pixton Iverson Wilson (Belmont, MA and online)



Camps and Tours


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


October 23 – November 2:  Cultural Tour of the Czech Republic

This week's contributors:

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: 50th Anniversary Committee, Updates proofreader

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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3 April 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

Dancing Tonight

Thursday Night Folk Dancing

April 3 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

Please join us at tonight's Thursday Night Dance with programmer, Carl Lazarus, who has prepared an ambitious teaching agenda for us!


Laura Billmers will review Serbian Medley #1, Meyer Billmers will review Jaap Leegwater's Kostadino Mili Sino, and Carl will review Theodor Vasilescu's Gaida.  


Live music Thursdays coming up!


  • May 1 - JUNE CAMP TRIO (Tom P, Ralph I, Brian W)
  • May 15 - the WOODSHED BAND (their Thursday Night debut ❤️)
  • June 5 - GOATS have been RESCHEDULED!!! BLEAT!!!


--Sue Rose

The Latest From the Little Shop of Horas 

Our Little Shop of Horas, New England’s most comprehensive source for traditional music, dance, and folk arts, has been busy.


We carry:


Lately, The Barnes Book of English Country Dance, Vol. I -recently reprinted- has been flying off the shelves, alongside the other two volumes in the series. On the digital side, our selection of "Gently Loved" CDs continues to grow with music from a variety of genres from children's songs to tangos.


We also have a extraordinary collection CDs with of folk music from around the world, published by Syncoop in the Netherlands; these CDs are out-of-print and will not be restocked, so if you see something you like don't let it pass you by.


Your purchases support FAC’s mission of perpetuating and promoting the folk arts of cultures from around the world.


--Katy

Calendar

FAC 50th Anniversary Events


Saturday, July 26: The Village Table Potluck Picnic (Lexington, MA)


Saturday, September 27: FAC Anniversary Gala



Dance & Music Series


Thursday, April 3: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Friday, April 11: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Sunday, April 13: Mostly Waltz - Karen Alexrod & Molly Tucker (Concord, MA)


Thursday, April 17: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Friday, April 18: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Thursday, May 1: Thursday Night Folk Dancing - June Camp Trio (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, May 3: Monthly Dance Party - Pixton Iverson Wilson (Belmont, MA and online)



Camps and Tours


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


October 23 – November 2:  Cultural Tour of the Czech Republic


This week's contributors:

Katy Bishop: FAC Office Manager, Updates editor

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: 50th Anniversary Committee, Updates proofreader

Sue Rose: Thursday Night Folk Dancing coordinator

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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27 March 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

Events This Week

Friday Night Folk Dancing

March 28 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

I asked the question "Who wants to go to the Friday night dance this week?" And Patrick Yacono's hand was the first to go up!!! I am also super happy to report that Jeanne Clifford also was up for the fun, so she, too, will be teaching (with Patrick) this week!


You would be well advised to take my sage advice: it will be well worth your while to put your hand up in the air and say you want to go, too!


--Marcie

Monthly Dance Party

March 29 • Belmont, MA • 8pm

in-person and online

Orkestar Banitsa

This Saturday, we are excited to welcome back Orkestar Banitsa, a fabulous band from the Greenfield, MA area! Becky Ashenden, Barbara Blumenthal, Joe Blumenthal, Addie Rose Holland, and Gawain Thomas will bring us an evening of (mostly) Balkan music and dance.


Join us for energetic dancing and great music! Contributions to the refreshments table are always welcome. The party will be Zoomed, so join us online if you can't make it in person; the free link will be posted on the event page. We hope to see you there!


--Janet Yeracaris

Victorian Ball with Spare Parts & Chris Ricciotti

March 29 • Berlin, MA • 1pm workshop & 7pm Ball

The third annual Victorian Ball is only a few days away and we are so looking forward to the sprightly dances, scrumptious refreshments, and blithesome company!


Enchanting music for the evening will be provided by Spare Parts, including Liz Stell on Flute, Bill Matthiessen on piano, and Spare Part Susan Conger on fiddle. Bill and Liz have been playing delightful music for contra & square dances, vintage balls, and English country dances since the late 1980s, with a host of talented musicians -- most often fiddlers -- rounding out the group as the "Spare Parts."


Their excellent musicianship and ability to recreate authentic sounds of the Victorian era will provide the sweetest music this side of heaven. Those of you who been to our past balls know how exquisite the music is. Attendees who have never been before are in for a real treat. 


Our dancemaster, Chris, always plans a splendid program of dances and ensures there is fun for all! The free dance workshop at 1pm we will review steps in a relaxed setting and get a sneak peek at the Quadrille that Chris has included in his ball program!


While we encourage period dress from any era, fear not; modern dress is perfectly welcome.


Online registration is currently open. Walk-in admission is also available; we accept Venmo, checks, or cash at-the-door. Please email any questions to Katy at the FAC office.


--Katy Bishop & Chris Ricciotti

Cultural Tour of the Czech Republic 

October 23 - November 2, 2025

 

The Folk Arts Center and Dvorana Travel are pairing up again to present an autumn tour through Bohemia!

Jan and I have been having great fun planning this ten-day excursion to various nooks and crannies of Bohemia, starting with Prague and including towns such as Plzeň, České Budějovice, Karlsbad, and Český Krumlov. The full itinerary can be found here.

 

The tour dates are October 23 – November 2, an incredibly beautiful time of year to be in Central Europe!

 

It is worth noting that this is NOT a dance tour. In fact, just one of the evenings will, in fact, be centered around meeting with a local dance group, enjoying their performance of traditional Czech dances, and then combining forces to dance together for a bit … but one does not need to be a dancer to thoroughly enjoy the tour! There will be hiking and a brewery tour (of the ORIGINAL Budweiser brewery!), and we will employ various ways of traversing the countryside, including a ski lift and a narrow-gauge railway. Castles and culture, views and vistas, meals and museums … all the alliterations you’d like, and so much more!

 

The tour will be limited to 25 people. I am happy to enthusiastically talk your ear off about how great this tour will be and answer any questions you may have! 


--Marcie

Calendar

Special Events


Saturday, March 29: Victorian Ball (Berlin, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Friday, March 28: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Monthly Dance Party - Orkestar Banitsa (Belmont, MA and online)


Thursday, April 3: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Friday, April 11: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Sunday, April 13: Mostly Waltz - Karen Axelrod & Molly Tucker (Concord, MA)



Camps & Tour


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


October 23 – November 2:  Cultural Tour of the Czech Republic


This week's contributors:

Katy Bishop: Victorian Ball coordinator, Updates editor

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: 50th Anniversary Committee, Updates proofreader

Chris Ricciotti: Victorian Ball coordinator

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director

Janet Yeracaris: Monthly Dance Party coordinator

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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19 March 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

Events This Week

50th Anniversary SOFA Series

March 19 • online • 7pm

Community at the Core of the Folk Arts Center

with Andy Taylor-Blenis and Alex Blenis-Gittens


Partners, spouses, friends, dance buddies, volunteers, and helpers of all sorts: these connections are what has made and continues to make FAC the wonderful, supportive community that it is. Join us as we spotlight some of these special people and relationships!


The Zoom link to this free presentation can be found on the event page.


It will also be recorded and made available in the Little Shop of Horas, along with other 50th Anniversary presentations and merch.


--Lynne Janbergs

Thursday Night Folk Dancing

March 20 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

Please join us on Thursday at the PACC Church for an evening of dance, with programmer Jeanne Clifford and special musical guests.


As a wonderful treat this week, we will have a special set at 9pm, featuring live music by Red Drum! This will be their debut at a Folk Arts Center event!


Red Drum is a local band of musicians who play tunes for dancing from Greece and Macedonia. Members include the familiar faces of Dean Brown, Martha Cohen, Barbara Gotfried, Sonia Lipson, David Skidmore and Marc Wolman.

 

Enjoy classic and followable dances to live music!


The (regular) dance starts at 8pm. See you there!  


--Sue Rose

Mostly Waltz Weekend

March 21-23 • Concord, MA

It's not too late to join dance teacher and historian Susan de Guardiola for workshops this coming weekend at the Scout House. You can save a few dollars with advance signup through 3/19, or just come and pay at the door. Friday evening kicks off with a Cross-step Waltz Review & Variations workshop, followed by open dancing and practice time. Intermediate and advanced cross-step waltz workshops will take place on Saturday & Sunday.


Saturday afternoon, Susan will teach some fun vintage inspired workshops for all levels, including: Allemande, Dances of Bridgerton, and Sequence Dances from the pre-WWII era. A special evening dance will cap off the day, filled with waltzes and other couple dances -- plus sequence dances taught earlier -- all DJ'd by Susan.


We will have a number of out-of-town guests here for the weekend; we hope locals will attend too and make them welcome! See the website for all the details.


--Diane Gonzales

Mostly Waltz

March 23 • Concord, MA • 2pm

We hope you can join us on Sunday afternoon for our regular Mostly Waltz dance, with fabulous waltzing and couple dancing to the music of Audrey Jaber (fiddle) and Karen Axelrod (piano). 


Audrey used to play frequently for Mostly Waltz years ago, and we are thrilled to have her back from San Diego to play for us!  


The 2pm pre-dance lesson will be 'Cross-hand Waltz Variations" with Susan de Guardiola.


  • Please visit the Waltz Weekend event page for schedule, pricing and a registration link.
  • See the Mostly Waltz page for details about Sunday afternoon's events.


Remember, discounted Waltz Weekend registration closes at 11pm tonight! We hope to see you this weekend.


--Diane Gonzales

Calendar

Special Events


Wednesday, March 19: Community at the Core of FAC - 50th Anniversary SOFA Series (online)


March 21-23: Waltz Weekend - Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Victorian Ball (Berlin, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Thursday, March 20: Thursday Night Folk Dancing - Red Drum (Arlington, MA)


Sunday, March 23: Mostly Waltz - Audrey Jaber & Karen Axelrod (Concord, MA)


Friday, March 28: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Monthly Dance Party - Orkestar Banitsa (Belmont, MA and online)



2025 Camps


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


This week's contributors:

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: 50th Anniversary Committee, Updates proofreader

Sue Rose: Thursday Night Folk Dancing coordinator

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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13 March 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

Coming Up This Week

Friday Night Folk Dancing

March 14 • Arlington Heights, MA • 8pm

Pi Day Friday!


Since pi is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, it seems only appropriate that we should support the theme by dancing together in circles!


I have baked two pies to celebrate the occasion! Bring your dance shoes and your sweet tooth!

--Marcie


50th Anniversary News 

March Madness!


Many people equate March Madness with college basketball, but I use it to construct awesome alliterative opportunities!


March Madness Merch!

Available now in the Little Shop of Horas: FAC's 50th anniversary celebratory swag!


The festive four-color logo, designed by Barbara Pixton, is emblazoned on t-shirts and 4” stickers, both of which are now available for you to show off, and in the process, declare your pride in, and support of, the Folk Arts Center of New England.

You can order shirts and stickers through the Shop if you would like them mailed to you. 


To skip the cost of shipping, you should send us an email request and we will make arrangements with you to pick up the items up at an FAC event. 


Flaunt your sticker(s) (buy two, they're small!) and wear your t-shirt with pride! Shout out to Sam Baumgarten and his Bridgewater, MA folk dance group (featured in the photo) for his superbly splendiferous sartorial selection!

--Marcie

50th Anniversary SOFA: Community at the Core of FAC

March 19 • online • 7pm

In this episode, Andy and Alex will focus on the individuals who helped build the Folk Arts Center into the vibrant organization it is today – volunteers sitting at the door or bringing refreshments, coordinating dance series and camps, putting out the newsletter and calendar, serving on the Board, designing flyers and sending out mailings, etc. – and the relationships they’ve developed through folk dancing.


From the beginning, FAC has fostered welcoming spaces and activities for all, regardless of background in dance or elsewhere. This has led to many enduring friendships, partnerships, marriages, and working relationships that are the core of our community.


The SOFA presentation is free to all and the Zoom link will be available on the event page. It will also be recorded and made available in our Little Shop of Horas.


-the 50th Anniversary Committee

Calendar

Special Events


Wednesday, March 19: Community at the Core of FAC - 50th Anniversary SOFA Series (online)


March 21-23: Waltz Weekend - Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Victorian Ball - Spare Parts (Berlin, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Friday, March 14: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Thursday, March 20: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Sunday, March 23: Mostly Waltz - Audrey Jaber & Karen Axelrod (Concord, MA)


Friday, March 28: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Monthly Dance Party - Orkestar Banitsa (Belmont, MA and online)



2025 Camps


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


This week's contributors:

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: 50th Anniversary Committee, Updates proofreader

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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5 March 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

Events This Week

Thursday Night Folk Dancing

March 6 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

Please join us in Arlington Heights at the PACC Church (50 Paul Revere Rd.), for a glorious evening of live dance music with Zdravets, Boston's favorite Friendly Neighborhood Bulgarian Band!


As always, food contributions for the refreshment table are appreciated.


Since a Live Music Party is definitely a Special Event, the following pricing is in effect for this evening:


Special Event Admission

  • $10 - FAC members
  • $12 - Non-members
  • $ 7 - Students


The dance starts at 8pm. See you there! 

 

--Sue Rose

Balkan Music Night

March 8 • Somerville, MA • 6pm

The 36th annual Balkan Music Night is finally here! Hosted again at the Arts at the Armory, the doors open at 5:30pm, with dance teaching in the Dance Hall at 6:00pm, and music performances in the Kafana starting at 6:10pm.


If you haven’t already, please purchase your tickets now! Online discounts will end Friday, March 7, at noon. Buying in advance also speeds up entry to the event, so click here to reserve your spot today.


Please join us for a fantastic evening at Balkan Music Night! View the Armory’s Getting here page for directions and transportation options.

 

And visit the Balkan Music Night website for full details.


--the Balkan Music Night Committee

Balkan Music Night FAQs

Tickets:

For tickets purchased at the door, we accept payment via cash, Venmo, and credit cards. 

 

Parking:

There is ample FREE parking available near the Arts at the Armory, with off-street lots within walking distance of the venue, as well as limited metered parking on Highland Ave (free after 8pm). Set your GPS in advance!  

 

Food/Drink:

As is our tradition, we will provide complimentary food and drink, with a selection of light snacks available on the mezzanine level. Water stations will be located in the Dance Hall to quench your thirst.

 

More substantial food will be available from the Armory’s kitchen, with a menu that includes a variety of small plate options (soup, salad, sandwiches, hummus, flatbread pizza, etc.). The Armory will also sell beer, wine, and  an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages.

 

New this year, these food and drink orders will be handled from the Armory’s cash bar, located in the Dance Hall. Due to state regulations, you may not carry alcohol outside of the Dance Hall.

 

Kafana changes:

In response to feedback from last year’s attendees, we’ve made a few significant changes to the Kafana experience:

  • No food or drink service in the Kafana (too noisy)
  • Limited reservations may be made for one Kafana performance per guest upon check-in at the Armory
  • Unreserved seating will be possible for each performance, if still available
  • Read our About Balkan Night page for more details



Calendar

Special Events


Saturday, March 8: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)


Wednesday, March 19: Community at the Core of FAC - part of the 50th Anniversary SOFA Series (online)


March 21-23: Mostly Waltz Weekend - Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Victorian Ball (Berlin, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Thursday, March 6: Thursday Night Folk Dancing - Zdravets (Arlington, MA)


Friday, March 14: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Thursday, March 20: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Sunday, March 23: Mostly Waltz - Audrey Jaber & Karen Axelrod (Concord, MA)


Friday, February 28: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Monthly Dance Party - Orkestar Banitsa (Belmont, MA)



Camps


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


This week's contributors:

Balkan Music Night Committee

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: 50th Anniversary Committee, Updates proofreader

Sue Rose: Thursday Night Folk Dancing coordinator

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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27 February 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

This Week

Friday Night Folk Dancing

February 28 • Arlington, MA • 8pm


Tomorrow is an auspicious day, indeed! Did you know that on February 28 we celebrate:


National Chocolate Soufflé Day … as well asNational Tooth Fairy Day

(Coincidence? I think not.)

National Skip the Straw Day


National Floral Design Day


And my personal favorite:

 

National Public Sleeping Day


I heartily recommend honoring this final day of the year’s shortest month at this week’s Friday Night Dance in Arlington Heights! 


Feel free to bring yourself and a chocolate souffle – but bring spoons, not straws – and we can raise a spoon to toast the Tooth Fairy herself. Flowers are always lovely! And if you pay tribute to public napping by falling asleep on the dance floor, the rest of us will simply dance around you!


This is all very silly, of course, but it would be most delightful to dance with you tomorrow night! 


--Marcie

Special Events in March 

36th Annual Balkan Music Night

March 8 • Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA • 6pm


Balkan Music Night is just one week away! The discounts on advanced purchase sales will end next week, so reserve your spot today - click here for tickets!

Now in its 36th edition, Balkan Music Night has held true to its initial motivation: to bring Balkan music and dance enthusiasts together with fabulous musicians for an evening of dancing and listening to this soul-stirring music. 

 

The event this year offers six hours of music and dancing, with twelve different ensembles performing on two stages. And don’t miss the electric performances of two local dance troupes - Grachanitsa and Boston Lykeion Ellinidon - right on the Dance Hall floor!

 

Come and join the festivities, whether by joining the dancing, taking in a Kafana performance, participating in our traditional events such as Horo na pesen (dancing to group singing) and Ličko kolo (a “silent kolo”), or dancing to the thunder of Balkan drums in Kopačkata.

 

For complete information on the Balkan Music Night events, performers, transportation options, and more, please visit the Balkan Music Night website. Consult the performance schedule, plan your night, and be open to surprises, and click here to purchase your ticket today!

 

--the Balkan Music Night Committee

Community at the Core of the Folk Arts Center

50th Anniversary SOFA Series Presentation

March 19 • Online • 7pm

The second episode of FAC's 50th Anniversary SOFA Series will be about the supportive communities and relationships built over the Folk Arts Center’s first half-century, with their focus on welcoming people of all backgrounds and levels of dance prowess.


We will share tales of the FAC’s spiritual and earth-bound angels, as well as stories of the healing power of folks dancing and hanging together. As time permits, we will share your How We Met anecdotes and note the enduring friendships and partnerships that have been forged over the years.


If you would like to share your stories you can upload photos or stories here. Please let us know whether we can share your stories publicly.


--the 50th Anniversary Committee

Boston Waltz Weekend

March 21-23 • The Scout House, Concord, MA

A quick reminder that discounted early-bird registration ends on Friday, February 28th!


Registration is now open for individual workshops, in addition to the full weekend and various other packages like the Saturday Vintage Dance Special (for all levels), which includes: Allemande + Bridgerton Dance Workshop + Sequence Dances for All + Sat. Dance Party. See the website for all the details!

--Diane Gonzales

Victorian Ball

March 29 • Berlin, MA • 1pm (workshop) • 8pm (ball)

The third annual Victorian Ball is only a few weeks away! We invite you to spend a rollicking evening enjoying entertainments from the the Victorian era:


  • dancing to the lively music of Spare Parts
  • enjoying amusing and clever parlor games
  • feasting on scrumptious home-baked refreshments!


There will be a dance workshop starting at 1:00pm, led by the fabulous Chris Ricciotti, to run through the basics of the evening's dances. Chris will also call all of the dances during the ball.


All are welcome; period dress is encouraged but not required. You can find more details on the event page. Advance registration is recommended.

--Katy Bishop

From the Board of Directors

Happy Birthday FAC!

We celebrated the Folk Arts Center's 50th Anniversary last Saturday night! We had this amazing cake, courtesy of Board Member Barbara Merson (she's also in the All Girl Band!) and we all sang "Happy Birthday to FAC."


If you were there, you know what a great evening it was, filled with an indulgent dessert bar, an information-packed Annual General Meeting, and an enchanting dance party. If you weren't, we missed you, but don't worry - there will be plenty of upcoming opportunities to celebrate FAC turning 50 throughout 2025. Stay tuned and visit the 50th website often to be in the know!


--Carolyn Ramm, FAC Board of Directors

Calendar

Special Events


Saturday, March 8: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)


Wednesday, March 19: Community at the Core of the Folk Arts Center - part of FAC's 50th Anniversary SOFA Series  (online)


March 21-23: Waltz Workshops - Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Victorian Ball (Berlin, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Friday, February 28: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Thursday, March 6: Thursday Night Folk Dancing - Goats (Arlington, MA)


Friday, March 14: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Thursday, March 20: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Sunday, March 23: Mostly Waltz - Audrey Jaber & Karen Alexrod (Concord, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Monthly Dance Party - Orkestar Banitsa (Belmont, MA)



2025 Camps


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


This week's contributors:

50th Anniversary Committee

Balkan Music Night Committee

Katy Bishop: Victorian Ball coordinator, Updates editor

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: 50th anniversary committee, Updates proofreader

Carolyn Ramm: FAC Board of Directors

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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19 February 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

Events This Week

Thursday Night Folk Dancing

February 20 • Arlington, MA • 8pm

Please join us at our Thursday Night Dance, when Patrick Yacono, our programmer, and Jeanne Clifford will review Lipa Ma Marcya, a Slovenian couple/set dance from Steve and Susie Kotansky.  

Our next Thursday night dance, on March 6, will have Live Music with Zdravets!  


Speaking of fabulous dance events, mark your calendar for these life music events coming up:

  • March 6 - ZDRAVETS
  • March 20 - RED DRUM!
  • May 1 - JUNE CAMP TRIO (Tom P, Ralph I, Brian W)
  • May 15 - the WOODSHED BAND (their Thursday Night debut ❤️)
  • June 5 - GOATS have been RESCHEDULED!!! BLEAT!!!


--Sue Rose

Inclement Weather Event Cancellation Policy

If an event must be cancelled due to challenging weather conditions, notifications will be posted in the following places:



Monthly Dance Party

February 22 • Belmont, MA • 8pm

Come one, come all to FAC’s Monthly Dance Party on Saturday, February 22!

 

This dance is FREE to all current FAC members! If you are not yet a member for this, our 50th anniversary year, no worries; you can join online - or at the door - and receive membership benefits immediately! As a member, aside from financially supporting FAC, you are also invited to the evening’s Dessert Bar and Ice Cream Social (6:00pm), followed by the Annual General Meeting (7:00pm).

 

All are welcome to the dance party that begins at the culmination of the AGM (approximately 8:00pm). During the dance party, enjoy dancing and listening to the melodious musical meanderings of the Flying Squirrel Orchestra, and savor snacks and drinks, supplemented by some excellent desserts!

 

(We apologize, but despite the wild opportunities Zoom has enabled, allowing us to share the joys of camaraderie, conversations, music, and dance across great distances, they have not yet figured out how to share the gastronomical delight of a Dessert Bar and Ice Cream Social. So while the meeting and dance party will be streamed online, you will have to supply your own comestibles.)

 

The FAC Board of Directors is thrilled to host this event, and we hope to see you there, in person or online!

 

- Carolyn Ramm

President, FAC Board of Directors

Jewish Arts Festival

February 23 • Boston, MA • 11am

The Jewish Arts Festival this Sunday at Temple Israel of Boston will be an amazing extravaganza of Jewish culture featuring 40 – yes, 40! – musicians, dance leaders, presenters, and vendors over the course of the four hour celebration!


The Folk Arts Center is one of the event co-sponsors, and I will be leading international dancing from 11:15am – 12:45pm. It would be so much fun to have folks from the FAC community with me to share the joy of dancing with others, some of whom might be trying it out for the first time! More dancing follows my session, with Rina Wagman leading an Israeli folk dance session.


I could wax eloquent about all the great music, dancing, lectures, and demos that will be featured throughout the day, but may I suggest you go to the website, where you can get lots more details about the delights that await you on Sunday!  


--Marcie

Mostly Waltz

February 23 • Concord, MA • 2pm

Musicians Julie Metcalf and Larry Unger

We hope you can join us on Sunday afternoon for another fabulous afternoon of waltzing and couple dancing at the Scout House with Larry Unger & Julie Metcalf. Larry is the composer of many favorite waltz tunes, and we're thrilled to welcome them back for more wonderful music. 


The 2pm dance lesson will be 'More Cross-step Waltz' with Tim Lamm and Diane Gonzales. We will work more on the cross-step waltz turn and some easy variations, in preparation for the upcoming weekend of cross-step waltz workshops in March with dance historian and teacher Susan de Guardiola. Cross-step is a lovely, flowy form of waltzing perfect for those slower waltz tunes. If you're not familiar, check out this classic video.


And speaking of the upcoming workshops, Susan is finalizing the content, so look for that information on the website soon. Discounted registration is open now for the full weekend and packages; registration for individual workshops opens on February 21st. Early bird pricing ends soon, so don't delay!


-- Diane Gonzales

36th Annual Balkan Music Night

March 8 • Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA • 6pm

About the Kafana at Balkan Music Night


Come to Balkan Music Night to listen to beautiful Balkan vocals and instrumentals in the Kafana, a quieter venue with informal concert seating, located in the Armory café. In a change from last year, the café kitchen will be closed, so no need to contend with blender noises (smoothies!).


Two performers who packed the Kafana last year will return, namely Sophia Bilides, presenting Greek Anatolian songs of her Asia Minor heritage, and Beth Bahia Cohen & Friends, performing an acoustic set of traditional Turkish folk music.


New to the Kafana stage, but no strangers to the FAC community, Pixton Iverson Wilson (yes, Tom, Ralph and Brian) will present a set of Romanian songs (from urban, rural, and modern traditions) which Tom collected during his travels in the 1990s.


Returning to Balkan Music Night after long absences are Elitsa Stoyneva-Krastev and members of the Yale Slavic Chorus, in two different ensembles who perform “a capella” Balkan music, with its astonishingly beautiful harmonies. Elitsa will be joined this year by Anne Stancioff Tatgenhorst, Helena Tatgenhorst, Erica Weiss, and Sarah Hipkens.


So peruse the Kafana schedule, and make a plan to see your favorites! Please visit the Balkan Music Night website to view details on the performers, the new Kafana seating plan, and to buy your tickets at early bird prices!


--The Balkan Music Night Committee 

Calendar

Special Events


Saturday, February 22: FAC Annual General Meeting (Belmont, MA)


Saturday, March 8: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)


March 21-23: Waltz Workshops with Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Victorian Ball (Berlin, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Thursday, February 20: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, February 22: Monthly Dance Party - Flying Squirrel Orchestra (Belmont, MA)


Sunday, February 23: Mostly Waltz - Larry Unger & Julie Metcalf (Concord, MA)


Friday, February 28: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)



2025 Camps


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


This week's contributors:

Balkan Music Night Committee

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: 50th anniversary committee, Updates proofreader

Carolyn Ramm: President, FAC Board of Directors

Sue Rose: Thursday coordinator

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.


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View as Webpage

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12 February 2025

Katy Bishop, Editor

Upcoming Events

This year has started off strong with so much wonderful music and dance, and the rest of February promises to be jam-packed with fun.


We are looking forward to Friday Night Folk Dancing on the 14th (this Friday!) and on the 28th, as well as Thursday Night Folk Dancing coming up on the 20th.


And be sure to mark your calendar for the weekend of the 22nd, because it is full to the brim with events, starting with the Annual General Meeting in Belmont, MA. This is a time for FAC members to gather, enjoy an ice cream and dessert buffet hosted by our Board of Directors, reminisce about the past year, discuss FAC's 50th Anniversary celebrations, and learn about strategic plans for FAC's future!


The meeting will be followed by the Monthly Dance Party with the Flying Squirrel Orchestra which is open to all (and free to members!).


Finally spend your Sunday in Boston at a Jewish Arts Festival, a new event FAC is helping as a sponsor, or in Concord with Mostly Waltz, featuring live music by Larry Unger and Julie Metcalf!


--Katy

Special Events in March

Balkan Music Night

March 8 • Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA • 6pm

36th Annual Balkan Music Night – About The Main Dance Hall


Advance purchase tickets (prices discounted $5 from door) are available now! Just click here for details, and buy now to lock in the best price.

Dancing to live music is reason number one to come to Balkan Music Night! With seven different bands on stage (or on the dance floor!), you will find yourself driven by the beat of the tapan and the thrilling sounds of the accordion, Balkan bagpipe (gaida), and the brass section.


No dance experience? No partner? No worries! Come early to the Dance Hall to learn and enjoy simple line dances from the Balkans, taught by expert local dancers, and accompanied by The Dark-Eyed Devojki band! The dancing begins in the Dance Hall at 6:00 pm, and continues until midnight.


The Dance Hall bands will present traditional folk dance music from across the Balkans, including the sounds of Balkan Brass from Conical Cacophony and Kavala Brass Band; traditional village and urban Greek dance music from Revma (with Sandy Theodorou!); sonorous Bulgarian dance tunes by Lubomir Smilenov played on traditional instruments (Bulgarian bagpipes, and gadulka); and much more! You can view the full Dance Hall schedule and the Performers page for more details.


Between each band set – there are no breaks! - find a spot, sit back, and enjoy performances from two local ensembles – the Grachanitsa Serbian Folk Dance Troupe, and the Boston Lykeion Ellinidon Dance Troupe (Greek dances). And be ready to participate in traditional dances (and singing) during the other entr’actes.


Please visit BalkanMusicNight.com for more information, and stay tuned for more details next week. Reserve your place today!


--Balkan Music Night Committee

Boston Waltz Weekend

March 21-23 • The Scout House, Concord, MA

Special Vintage Dance Package

Vintage dance lovers (and the vintage curious): Dance historian and teacher Susan de Guardiola will be teaching several historical (or historically inspired!) dance workshops on Saturday afternoon, March 22, as part of the Boston Waltz Weekend.


The workshops are open to all levels, and we invite you to register now for a special discounted package, which includes three workshops and the Saturday evening DJ'd dance party that follows. The workshops included are:

  • Allemande -- an 18th century dance whose figures are often used as modern waltz variations
  • Bridgerton Dances -- a fun mix of historically inspired and modern movements taken from the popular TV series
  • Sequence Dances from the pre-WWII era -- easy, fun, and a little bit silly!
  • The Saturday dance party -- DJ'ed by Susan, will include waltzing, couple dances, and a chance to practice dances taught earlier!


See the full schedule of Waltz Weekend events on the event page.


--Diane Gonzales

FAC 50th Anniversary

FAC Benefit Gala

September 27 • Belmont, MA

Save the Date! The FAC Benefit Gala returns September 27th for fundraising fun!


This event, at the First Church in Belmont, Unitarian Universalist, will feature a silent auction (ethnic, handmade, and vintage decor, clothing, and other items will be on display); there will also be gift certificates and enriching experiences to bid on; live music by the Pinewoods Band for dancing; appetizers and desserts; beer and wine; and folk performances.


This benefit extravaganza will definitely be an evening to remember, as we gather to joyously acknowledge FAC’s 50th anniversary and contribute to the the bottom line so that the programs we cherish can continue into the future!


--FAC 50th Anniversary Committee

Calendar

Special Events


Saturday, February 22: FAC Annual General Meeting(Belmont, MA)


Saturday, March 8: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)


March 21-23: Boston Waltz Workshops with Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)


Saturday, March 29: Victorian Ball (Berlin, MA)



Dance & Music Series


Friday, February 14: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Thursday, February 20: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)


Saturday, February 22: Monthly Dance Party - Flying Squirrel Orchestra (Belmont, MA)


Sunday, March 23: Mostly Waltz with Larry Unger and Julie Metcalf (Concord, MA)


Friday, February 28: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)



2025 Camps


June 19 - 26: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)


August 29 - September 2: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)


October 10 - 13: Oktoberfest Weekend at Potash Hill (Marlboro, VT)


This week's contributors:

50th Anniversary Committee

Balkan Music Night Committee

Katy Bishop: FAC Office Manager, Updates Editor

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: 50th anniversary committee, Updates proofreader

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a nonprofit organization promoting participation in the traditional dance and music of many cultures. FAC sponsors community dances, annual camps, workshops, and other programs in the greater Boston area, elsewhere in New England, and online.


The Folk Arts Center thanks

the Massachusetts Cultural Council

for its generous support.