BELFAST — On Friday, Dec. 5 let your shoes fly at the First Friday Community Dance & Contra Dance. This month Belfast Flying Shoes celebrates its 20th anniversary. Participants can expect extra frivolity, a tasty treat potluck, door prizes, party hats, and the usual joyful social connection!
The intergenerational program begins at 6 p.m. when the All Comers Band warms up and chooses their tune sets. The ACB is open to all ages, instruments and skill levels; frequently-played tunes are posted at belfastflyingshoes.org. The easy-to-learn community dance led by Chrissy Fowler starts at 6:30 p.m. Whirling around the floor are families, new folks and longtime dancers of all ages.
This month, the 8 p.m. contra dance features hometown caller Chrissy Fowler, who co-founded Flying Shoes two decades ago and now directs the nonprofit. She is joined on the contra stage by fiddler Julie Metcalf, guitarist Larry Unger, and sound provider John Pranio. It’s especially exciting to celebrate this 20 year milestone with Larry, since he anchored the band at the very first Flying Shoes contra dance!
Friday, Dec. 5 also marks the conclusion of the nonprofit’s Annual Fundraising Appeal, with over 250 individuals contributing $25,000 to support the local music & dance nonprofit and its many programs.
The First Church is at 8 Court St. in Belfast. Admission is $15-20 for the whole evening. Just the community dance is $1 kids/$2 adults. For info, First Friday FAQ and BFS Community Care Policy, visit www.belfastflyingshoes.org or contact [email protected].
Support for Belfast Flying Shoes comes from the Belfast Community Co-op, Belfast Bay Fiddlers, Colburn Shoe Store, GO Logic, the Green Store and Terra Firma 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. Among the nonprofit’s diverse programs are concerts, workshops, dances, a radio hour & podcast featuring contra dance musicians, and music & dance programs in schools, older adult residences and a corrections facility.
