Belfast—Sundays in the Park – Irish music & dance

Sundays in the Park starts at 2:30 p.m. with a music workshop focusing on a distinctive branch of the contra dance music repertoire, followed by a 3:30 p.m. percussive dance workshop, to help participants discover and practice exciting ways for their shoes to fly. Guest performers and workshop participants will strut their stuff at the 5 p.m. concert and showcase, and the event concludes with a 6 – 8 p.m. open jam session for musicians of all ages and experience levels, hosted by the Belfast Bay Fiddlers.

The July 18 event features Irish and Irish-American music and dance. Alden Robinson (fiddle) and Christian “Junior” Stevens (button accordion and concertina), have played together for years — in Irish sessions in greater Portland, with their bandmates in the Press Gang, and on staff at Maine Fiddle Camp. They’re joined by Miles Isacke (banjo & guitar).

The trio of Maine musicians will impart their skills and knowledge of the tradition. Boston-area dance teacher, Jackie O’Riley, will lead a workshop in old-style — yes, accessible and simple! — Irish step dancing, sean-nós dance, and will delight audience members with her percussive dance skills.

Sundays in the Park is free and open to the public, with suggested donations on a sliding scale of $1 to $30, and Belfast Flying Shoes welcomes individual supporters and business sponsors. Current Maine CDC guidelines for outdoor events will be followed.

See www.belfastflyingshoes.org for rain info and other details.