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It’s a Hat-Trick Kind of Weekend!

According to Wikipedia: A hat-trick or hat trick is the achievement of a generally positive feat three times in a match, or another achievement based on the number three.

However, this august source had a typo in its definition, and should correct the spelling from “feat” to “feet”! This weekend, we are offering you the opportunity to score your own hat-trick on a variety of dance floors:

• Friday night – folk dance fun in Arlington Heights March 15
• Saturday night – Balkan Music Night in Somerville March 16
• Sunday afternoon – Cut a Rug (online) in your own domicile March 17

A hat-trick is an accomplishment in many sports: soccer, baseball, hockey, and cricket, to name a few. But if you score a hat-trick this weekend on the dance floor it would not be cricket …. It would be WICKED!

--Marcie

Balkan Music Night

March 16, at the Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA

The 35^th annual Balkan Music Night is finally here! 

If you haven’t already, please purchase your tickets now, as the online discounts will end this Friday, March 15, at noon. Buying in advance will also speed up entry to the event, so click here and reserve your spot today. 

Balkan Music Night FAQs:

Tickets:

Tickets will be sold at the door, and we are accepting payment via cash, Venmo, and credit cards. 

Parking:

There is ample FREE parking available near the Arts at the Armory, with parking lots within walking distance of the venue, as well as limited metered parking on Highland Ave (free after 8pm). Please view a summary of all transportation options here, and set your GPS in advance.

Food/Drink:

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

More substantial food will be available for purchase in the Armory’s ROOTED Café, with a menu that includes a variety of small plate options (soup, salad, sandwiches, hummus, flatbread pizza, etc.)

The Armory provides cash bars serving beer and wine, plus an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages. The bars are located in both the Dance Hall and the Kafana. Due to state regulations, you may not carry alcohol outside of these rooms (or between the rooms).

Date/Time:

The doors will open at 5:30pm, with the fun starting at 6:00pm in the Dance Hall, and the music in the Kafana at 6:45pm.

Please join us for a fantastic evening at Balkan Music Night! Visit the Balkan Music Night website for full details.

--the Balkan Music Night Committee

From the Executive Director

Friendship

A community is created by interests shared

Relationships made by passions declared.

The stories collect as the years fly by,

And we don’t give much thought to that final good bye.

Whether it comes as moving on or passing away

There will come the bad news, to our great dismay.

We will pause in sadness, say their name, say farewell,

And keep our memories as a sprig of immortelle.

Make that call, write that note, don’t put it off

Always to your friends, the proverbial hat doff.

Dancing is life, and not just for the the moves,

It’s those with whom we share it is how our life improves.

I’ve said it before, and I must say it again

You make my life richer …. thank you …. amen.

Special Events

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

March 22-24: Waltz Weekend with Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Friday, March 15: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, March 17: Cut a Rug (online)

Thursday, March 21: Thursday Night Folk Dancing with the Pixton-Poirier Band (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, March 23: Monthly Dance Party with The Dark-Eyed Devojki (Belmont, MA)

Sunday, March 24: Melrose Community Dancing (Melrose, MA)

Sunday, March 24: Mostly Waltz with Jacqueline Schwab & Dave Langford (Concord, MA)

Friday, March 29: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Camps and Tours

June 20 to 27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 2024: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

The Balkan Music Night Committee

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: GASP Committee member, 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.

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Coming Soon!

Balkan Music Night

March 16, at the Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA

The 35^th annual Balkan Music Night is only a week away! This is the time to reserve your tickets – advance purchase discounts end on March 15 at noon. Click here to purchase yours today!

With so many fabulous musicians all together at Balkan Music Night, it can be difficult to decide who to dance to, or who to hear.  Look at these performers scheduled in the Kefana:

Iveria, an a capella men’s singing group, performing Georgian folk and liturgical music. The rich harmonies and haunting textures of this beautiful music will capture your heart.

Sophia Bilides, long a beloved performer in both folk music and cabaret genres. She will perform songs of her Greek Asia Minor heritage, accompanied by Mal Barsamian; Sophia will transport you with the resonant beauty of her deeply expressive and evocative singing.

And be sure to check out these performers in the Dance Hall:

Conical Cacophony, a Boston-based eight-person brass band that is strongly influenced by Macedonian, Serbian and Bulgarian music. High energy and high spirited, their dance music will not let you sit still!

Niva, a four-woman band playing Izvoren (village style) songs from Macedonia on traditional instruments. Their lovely singing voices will create achingly beautiful songs with closely blended harmonies -- here’s a short clip.

Finally, we have some fabulous news to share: acclaimed Greek clarinetist Lefteris Bournias will be joining Kavala Brass Band for their set of traditional dance music of Northern Greece. Don’t miss it!

For further details, visit the Balkan Music Night website. Tickets are available here.

--the Balkan Music Night Committee

Special Events

Saturday, March 9: Victorian Ball with Spare Parts (Berlin, MA)

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

March 22-24: Waltz Weekend with Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Thursday, March 7: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Friday, March 15: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, March 17: Cut a Rug (online)

Thursday, March 21: Thursday Night Folk Dancing with the Pixton-Poirier Band (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, March 23: Monthly Dance Party with The Dark-Eyed Devojki (Belmont, MA)

Sunday, March 24: Mostly Waltz with Jacqueline Schwab & Dave Langford (Concord, MA)

Sunday, March 24: Melrose Community Dancing (Melrose, MA)

Friday, March 29: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Camps and Tours

June 20 to 27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 2024: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

The Balkan Music Night Committee

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz Coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: GASP Committee member, 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.

View as Webpage

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Friday Night Folk Dancing

Arlington, MA

The leap year has given us an opportunity to enjoy Friday night folk dancing two weeks in a row! Come enjoy an evening together where we enjoy each other's company and - dare I say it - leap for joy!

--Marcie

Balkan Music Night

March 16, at the Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA

Balkan Music Night returns this year with its 35^th edition, and we are thrilled with the lineup of talented musicians who will grace the stages at the Arts at the Armory in Somerville. Six hours of music and dancing, on two stages, in one beautiful venue!

Interested in being part of the effort?

Making Balkan Music Night happen requires hours of work before, during, and after the event. Work exchange for reduced or free admission is still possible. Please contact the FAC office via email - a Committee member will get back to you and tell you which volunteer jobs are still open.

The Arts at the Armory is convenient to public transportation, and we encourage the use of the MBTA (both Green and Red lines have stations within a mile). The “Getting Here” page on the Armory website describes travel options in detail. The Balkan Music Night committee is also working on identifying additional parking lots for the event, and we will post that information soon on the “Location" page of our website.

With the fun less than three weeks away – now is the time to purchase your tickets, and benefit from the discounted rates! Visit our tickets page for prices, and on-line purchasing. For complete details, visit the Balkan Music Night website.

--Balkan Music Night Committee

TODAY HAS BEEN AN AMAZING DAY

This extra day of the year kicked off magnificently this morning in the innocuous form of an email. It was just one of many awaiting my undivided attention, nestled among Balkan Music Night ticket orders, Mostly Waltz registrations, questions on a breathtaking array of subjects, and not-to-be-missed spam offers.

The news that caused me to abandon my coffee and sit quietly in a state of awe and gratitude for a prolonged period of time is this: an anonymous donor gifted the Folk Arts Center of New England $10,000.

This money, coming as it does when so many arts organizations are struggling financially in the post-pandemic world (and FAC is no exception), lifted a weight off my shoulders that I wasn't even fully aware was there. And the vote of confidence it transmitted - the message that FAC is doing a job worth doing, and doing it well - also warmed my soul on this windy and brisk February 29.

I will probably never know who gave FAC this extraordinary gift, but if you are reading this, please know that I speak for many and from the heart when I say the two little words that barely seem up to the task of expressing the extent of our appreciation: thank you.

Special Events

Saturday, March 9: Victorian Ball with Spare Parts (Berlin, MA)

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

March 22-24: Waltz Weekend with Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Friday, March 1: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Thursday, March 7: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, March 17: Cut a Rug (online)

Saturday, March 23: Monthly Dance Party with The Dark-Eyed Devojki (Belmont, MA)

Sunday, March 24: Mostly Waltz with Jacqueline Schwab & Dave Langford (Concord, MA)

Sunday, March 24: Melrose Community Dancing (Melrose, MA)

Camps and Tours

June 20 to 27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 2024: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

The Balkan Music Night Committee

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz Coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: GASP Committee member, 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.

View as Webpage

Website | Support | Shop | Facebook | Instagram

We hope you will make the time to join us on the dance floor this weekend - it will be jam-packed with music, dance, and community!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



Start your weekend with Friday Night Folk Dancing in Arlington, with Marcie Van Cleave. A variety of delightful dances with convivial company will be the perfect way to start the weekend!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The weekend continues with the FAC Dessert Social and Annual General Meeting for current FAC members on Saturday, "Life is short, eat dessert first" being our motto, the Social begins at 6:30, followed by the meeting at 7pm. It will be a great opportunity to meet your fellow members and learn about FAC's past fiscal year and the plans for the rest of this one, plus a glimpse at what might await us next year - FAC's 50th!!! The meeting is for members, so if you haven't renewed yet, now is your chance!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the meeting stick around for the Monthly Dance Party at 8pm, with live music by the Flying Squirrel Orchestra! This part of the evening is open to non-members as well, so make sure to join us!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Finally finish off this lovely weekend at Mostly Waltz for Boston monthly dance on Sunday afternoon, with fabulous live music by Autumn Rose Lester & Eric Eid-Reiner. Tim Lamm and Diane Gonzales will teach cross-step waltz during the pre-dance lesson at 2pm.

We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!

35th Annual Balkan Music Night - The Program

Come to Balkan Music Night and groove to the music of our fantastic Balkan bands. These musicians never fail to delight, whether playing on stage or right there on the dance floor, and you will surely enjoy being in a rhythmic community with your fellow dancers! Don’t miss brass bands Zlatne Uste, Kavala, and Boston’s own Conical Cacophony playing dance tunes from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Northern Greece and beyond; REVMA (with Sandy Theodorou!) playing an energetic set of Greek dances; and too many more to list!

We begin early with simple dance walkthroughs (no partner required), and continue non-stop until midnight, filling any breaks between band sets with EVEN MORE dances - performances by local dance troupes Grachanitsa and Mladost Folk Ensemble. We have done our best to create this year's best Balkan dance experience; we hope you enjoy it!

Balkan Music Night also offers a chance to sit and listen to beautiful Balkan vocals and instrumentals in the Kafana, a quieter venue next to the Dance Hall where you can also order and enjoy a special beverage or snack. So many amazing musicians will play and sing, including Sophia Bilides, Beth Bahia Cohen, Gogofski, and more. Be forewarned -- you may be so captivated that you might not make it back to the Dance Hall!

So plan your evening strategically to see as many of your favorite groups as you can. Please visit the Balkan Music Night website for details, and to buy your tickets at early bird prices!

Parking is available both on-street and in nearby lots.

We hope to see you there! 

-- Balkan Music Night Committee

From the Executive Director

It's Been Awhile

It's late in the day, and I've a poetic urge,

But will it be uplifting or emerge as a dirge?

I’m hoping the muse will treat me as favored

And inspire my quatrains that will be (mostly) savored!

Will "sublime" end up as the word of the day,

Or will “pithy” summarize the artful array

Of words on a screen, of feelings in the heart?

Will it be doggerel, or will it be art?

Can I finish three stanzas or stop just at two?

Ooops, too late now, so I know what to do!

Come up with a finale that’s funny and sassy,

How about “Happily Ever After” - it’s so terribly classy!

Special Events

Saturday, March 9: Victorian Ball with Spare Parts (Berlin, MA)

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

March 22-24: Waltz Weekend with Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Friday, February 23: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, February 24: Monthly Dance Party with The Flying Squirrel Orchestra (Belmont, MA)

Sunday, February 25: Mostly Waltz with Eric Eid-Reiner and Autumn Rose Lester (Concord, MA)

Thursday, March 7: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, March 17: Cut a Rug (online)

Sunday, March 24: Melrose Community Dancing (Melrose, MA)

Camps and Tours

May 1 to 12: Czech Tour to South Bohemia

June 20 to 27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 2024: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

The Balkan Music Night Committee

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz Coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: GASP Committee member, 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.

View as Webpage

Website | Support | Shop | Facebook | Instagram

Thursday Night Folk Dancing - with Gogofski!

February 15, Arlington, MA

Right on the heels of last Friday's amazing Bulgarian Night with Divi Zheni, Zornitsa, and Tatiana, and with March's Balkan Music Night fast approaching, Thursday Night Folk Dancing is proud to join the Balkan Parade of excellent live music.  

We invite you to dance the night away with us tomorrow night for a fabulous Live Music Party with Gogofski! Band members Dave Golber, Gawain Thomas, Henry Goldberg, and singer Kasia Sokalla will give us a divine program of our favorite dances.

Masks are optional (but entirely welcome) at FAC dance events.

-Sue Rose

Weather Cancellation Policy

Challenging or dangerous weather conditions may sometimes force us to cancel an event; if a cancellation occurs, we will make every attempt to get the word out as soon as possible. Information will be posted in the following locations:

• The FAC Homepage
• The FAC Facebook Page
• Calling the office (781-438-4387) for a recorded message (after hours)

Special Events

Saturday, March 9: Victorian Ball with Spare Parts (Berlin, MA)

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

March 22-24: Waltz Weekend with Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Thursday, February 15: Thursday Night Folk Dancing with Gogofski (Arlington, MA)

Friday, February 23: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, February 24: Monthly Dance Party with The Flying Squirrel Orchestra (Belmont, MA)

Sunday, February 25: Mostly Waltz with Eric Eid-Reiner and Autumn Rose Lester (Concord, MA)

Sunday, March 17: Cut a Rug (online)

Sunday, March 24: Melrose Community Dancing (Melrose, MA)

Camps and Tours

May 1 to 12, 2024: Czech Tour to South Bohemia

June 20-27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 2024: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz Coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: GASP Committee member, Updates proofreader

Carolyn Ramm: President, FAC Board of Directors

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.

View as Webpage

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Friday Night Folk Dancing - Bulgarian Night!

February 9, Arlington, MA - with Divi Zheni and Zornitsa

The night is almost upon us, when the musical talent of so many of our community members will be dedicated to our dancing and listening pleasure Bulgarian Night!

Tatiana Sarbinska (director), with Divi Zheni and Zornitsa, will supply the musical motivation, and we will respond in joyous kind with a night of Bulgarian dancing.

With this Friday's dance, we also honor a person whose devoted his life to furthering the appreciation of Bulgarian music. The evening will be dedicated to the memory of Koliu Kolev - renowned Bulgarian singer, instrumentalist, and composer - who was Tatiana's husband and singing partner and who supported both bands in many ways.

Let us dance together tomorrow night!

-Marcie

News

FAC's Annual General Meeting and Dance Party*!

February 24, Belmont, MA

If you are a 2024 member of the Folk Arts Center, then you are cordially invited to our Annual General Meeting (AGM), at the Payson Park Church in Arlington and online, where you will hear about how the organization is faring and what our plans are for the future.

And to literally sweeten the deal - the Board of Directors is hosting a Dessert Social!

The Social commences at 6:30 and the AGM begins at 7:00. The dance follows the meeting, at approximately 8:00.

Now you are probably wondering, to what did the asterisk in the title refer? Well ... since you asked ...

* The dance party is FREE to 2024 members!

If you are not a member, or you haven't yet renewed your membership from years gone by, worry not! You can join by clicking right here. If membership isn't in the cards for you this year, fret not -- you can stop by at 8:00pm and join in the evening fun! This dance is open to all, and all will be most welcome!

The members of the Board and I will be delighted to see everyone at this evening that celebrates the Folk Arts Center of New England’s community.

-- Marcie

Special Events

Saturday, March 9: Victorian Ball with Spare Parts (Berlin, MA)

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night - Ticket Sales Now Open! (Somerville, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Friday, February 9: Bulgarian Night at Friday Night Folk Dancing with Zornitsa and Divi Zheni (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, February 11: Cut a Rug (online)

Thursday, February 15: Thursday Night Folk Dancing with Gogofski (Arlington, MA)

Friday, February 23: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, February 24: Monthly Dance Party with The Flying Squirrel Orchestra (Belmont, MA)

Sunday, February 25: Mostly Waltz with Eric Eid-Reiner and Autumn Rose Lester (Concord, MA)

March 22-24: Waltz Weekend Workshops with Susan de Guardiola (Concord, MA)

Sunday, March 24: Melrose Community Dancing (Melrose, MA)

Camps and Tours

May 1 to 12, 2024: Czech Tour to South Bohemia

June 20-27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 2024: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: GASP Committee member, 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.

View as Webpage

Website | Support | Shop | Facebook | Instagram

35th Annual Balkan Music Night!

Saturday, March 16, 6:00pm • Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA

2024 marks the 35th annual celebration of Balkan Music Night! We are excited to relaunch our series in a new venue – the Arts at the Armory – much closer to Boston (and to public transportation!), with food options (and a cash bar) on site.

We’ve booked more than a dozen talented ensembles to play for dancing (in the Main Hall), and/or acoustic listening (in the Kafana). Zlatne Uste and Kavala Balkan brass bands return, as will local favorites Beth Bahia Cohen and friends, Sophia Bilides, Sandy Theodorou (with REVMA), and many more, all in one night! Find additional details on our performers, the schedule, and tickets on the event site. Ticket sales open next week.

Arrive early to participate in selected simple dance walkthroughs, led by experienced dancers, alongside music by Conical Cacophony; stay late to enjoy the entire program, including our traditional participatory events such as the Hora na pesen, Ličko kolo, and more!

Join us at Balkan Music Night ’24!

-Balkan Music Night Committee

Annual Appeal Update

The Folk Arts Center of New England is a many-splendored thing, with wide-ranging events (participatory dance and music events, residential camps, tours, and online lectures and workshops), a music shop with a unique and ever-changing assortment of books, music, and event recordings, volunteers that support all FAC's efforts, and an office staff which keeps the organization humming along.

We launched our annual appeal in mid-December, and the response from the community has been gratifying. We have members from 25 states and the District of Columbia, plus two Canadian provinces! THANK YOU!

If you would like to support FAC, there is still time (in fact, there is always time!). The funding element we most treasure is your contribution, be it in the form of an annual membership, a donation, or asking the question "how can I help?".

Thank you for whatever you can do to support this organization, the traditional arts, and the people who cherish and support both.

-Marcie

February 2 - The Month's Most Awaited Day

I always have a hard time with ol' Punxutawney Phil.

Trying to make a good rhyme is something of a pill.

And Punxutawney doesn't really roll right off the tongue,

It's not even an alliteration, all about it's wrong!

But soldier on I must, despite the aggravation,

I'm appealing to the universe in earnest adjuration.

Please let the clouds just do their thing, and no shadow would there be,

Spring is right around the corner then, well-deserved by you and me.

Special Events

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Thursday, February 1: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Friday, February 9: Bulgarian Night at Friday Night Folk Dancing with Zornitza and Divi Zheni (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, February 11: Cut a Rug (online)

Thursday, February 15: Thursday Night Folk Dancing with Gogofski (Arlington, MA)

Friday, February 23: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, February 24: Monthly Dance Party with the Flying Squirrel Orchestra (Belmont, MA)

Sunday, February 25: Mostly Waltz with Rose Lester & Eric Eid-Reiner (Concord, MA)

Camps and Tours

May 1 to 12, 2024: Czech Tour to South Bohemia

June 20-27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

August 30-September 3: Labor Day Weekend at Pinewoods (Plymouth, MA)

October 2024: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

Nick Bishop: Tech troubleshooter, Updates proofreader

Sue Rose: Thursday Night Folk Dancing Coordinator

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director

The Balkan Music Night Committee

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.

View as Webpage

Website | Support | Shop | Facebook | Instagram

Special Events

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Friday, January 26: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, January 27: Monthly Dance Party with Balkan Fields (Belmont, MA and online)

Thursday, February 1: Thursday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Friday, February 9: Friday Night Folk Dancing Bulgarian Night with Zornitsa and Divi Zheni (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, February 11: Cut a Rug with Marcie Van Cleave (online)

Sunday, February 25: Mostly Waltz with Autumn Rose Lester & Eric Eid-Reimer (Concord, MA)

Camps and Tours

May 1 - 12: Czech Tour to South Bohemia

June 20 - 27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 17 - 31: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

Nick Bishop: Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: GASP Committee member, 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.

View as Webpage

Website | Support | Shop | Facebook | Instagram

Weather Cancellation Policy

Challenging or dangerous weather conditions may sometimes force us to cancel an event; if a cancellation occurs, we will make every attempt to get the word out as soon as possible. Information will be posted in the following locations:

• The FAC Homepage
• The FAC Facebook Page
• Calling the office (781-438-4387) for a recorded message (after hours)

Cut a Rug

online with Marcie Van Cleave

"Hurry, hurry, hurry. Step right up to the greatest show on Earth!"

OK, perhaps (perhaps?!?!) that's a bit (a bit?!?!) hyperbolic, but it matches the picture Katy picked out for this announcement!

In any event, Sunday afternoon's Cut a Rug dance will be great fun, particularly if you are there!

--Marcie

Camp News

June Pinewoods - registration details

It is almost time to register for FAC's June 2024 Pinewoods International Dance and Music Sessions, featuring Richard Powers and Emily Saletan (American & international couple dances), Efie Derkson (Bosnian dance) and Hans Derkson (accompanying Efie on accordion), and the Flying Squirrel Orchestra!

Registration opens on Monday, January 22; priority will be given to current (2024) FAC members. Not a member? Not a problem! Here's the link!

The link for registration will be posted Monday on the Pinewoods event page.

Once you have registered (via the linked Google form), you will receive a copy of your registration as proof of success! We will send you a separate email letting you know whether you are accepted or wait-listed.

Now, let the countdown to summer - and the fun and warm weather it brings - begin!

--Marcie

Special Events

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Thursday, January 18: Thursday Night Folk Dancing with Shining Moon (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, January 21: Mostly Waltz with Anna Patton & Karen Axelrod (Concord, MA)

Sunday, January 21: Cut a Rug (online)

Friday, January 26: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, January 27: Monthly Dance Party with Balkan Fields (Belmont, MA and online)

Camps and Tours

May 1 - 12: Czech Tour to South Bohemia

June 20 - 27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 17 - 31: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Anna Alter: FAC Program Manager

Nick Bishop: Updates proofreader

Diane Gonzales: Mostly Waltz for Boston coordinator

Lynne Janbergs: GASP Committee member, 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.

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My Travel Travails

I'm back once again, with conflicting emotions.

(This always happens when I travel over oceans.)

My conundrum is a happy one, as wherever I wander,

I'm blessed with great friends of whom I grow ever fonder.

Whether at home or abroad, my life's interesting to the hilt

I happily recall stories without any guilt!

How I get through my travels is a question oft asked,

"Careen" comes to mind, and it leaves witnesses aghast!

Whether watching my suitcase go AWOL through the bus,

Or a shrewmouse in my dance class that left me nonplussed.

Sitting on stinging nettles may not have been my best move,

And just what, by trying to ski, was I hoping to prove?!!

People have suggested that I compile my stories.

This tome would have multitudinous categories!

I love going away, for it's always character-building,

And coming home to you all is what's called lily-gilding!

Special Events

Saturday, March 16: Balkan Music Night (Somerville, MA)

Dance & Music Series

Friday, January 12: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Thursday, January 18: Thursday Night Folk Dancing with Shining Moon (Arlington, MA)

Sunday, January 21: Mostly Waltz with Anna Patton & Karen Axelrod (Concord, MA)

Sunday, January 21: Cut a Rug (online)

Friday, January 26: Friday Night Folk Dancing (Arlington, MA)

Saturday, January 27: Monthly Dance Party with Balkan Fields (Belmont, MA)

Camps and Tours

May 1 - 12: Czech Tour to South Bohemia with FAC and Dvorana

June 20 - 27: Pinewoods International Sessions (Plymouth, MA)

October 17 - 31: Autumn in Bulgaria Cultural Tour with Iliana Bozhanova and Todor Yankov

This week's contributors:

Balkan Music Night Committee

Nick Bishop: Updates proofreader

Lynne Janbergs: Updates proofreader

Marcie Van Cleave: FAC Executive Director, Updates contributor

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.