BELFAST– On Friday, Oct. 3 take a spin on the dance floor and let your shoes fly at the First Friday Community Dance & Contras. The intergenerational program begins at 6 p.m., when the All Comers Band warms up and chooses tunes with Maisie Newell. The band is open to all ages, instruments, and skill levels; a collection of tunes is posted at belfastflyingshoes.org.
Chrissy Fowler calls the easy-to-learn community dance starting at 6:30 p.m. This first hour is great for new dancers, families with kids, singles, and longtime enthusiasts who love the joy of simple folk dances to tunes by an exuberant megaband.
This month’s 8 p.m. contra dance features Hannah Chamberlain calling and music by the Clementines (Willy Clemetson on fiddle & foot percussion and Moon Clemetson on piano). The three performers all went to contra dances as children (Hannah in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts and Willy & Moon here in Belfast); as young adults in Maine, they are important tradition-bearers. Hope-based musician and teacher, Ethan Tischler, will provide sound.
The First Church is at 8 Court St. in Belfast. Admission is $15-25 for the whole evening. For just the first hour’s Community Dance, admission is $1 kids/$2 adults.) First Friday FAQ, BFS Community Care Policy and other information at www.belfastflyingshoes.org.
Support for Belfast Flying Shoes comes from the Belfast Community Co-op, Belfast Bay Fiddlers, Colburn Shoe Store, GO Logic, the Green Store and Thomas Fowler PE. Contributors also include grantors, individual donors and other local sponsors. Founded in 2005, Belfast Flying Shoes builds community and cultivates well-being through the joy of traditional music and dance for people of all backgrounds and identities in Midcoast Maine.
