Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts
Music and Dance for the Maine community
Thanks so much to all who waltzed with us at our event in January. We're excited to offer you another one in March! We're trying a new location in Freeport and a new lesson schedule this time. Schedule: 1:45 -- Show Up 2:00 - 3:00 -- Intermediate Waltz / Flourishes 3:00 - 3:30 -- […]
Playing jigs, reels, hambos, waltzes, marches, etc. Music traditions include contradance tunes, Irish, Scottish, Quebecois, Swedish, Southern. Fiddles, guitars, accordions, concertinas, mandolins, dulcimers, etc. welcome. We also have a keyboard available. Many of our tunes come out of the on-the-go collections - Portland, Waltz Books, Fiddlers Fake Book, Fiddlers Repertoire. We love to try tunes […]
Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dancing of Scotland. We dance in sets, usually longwise, of 3, 4, or more couples. We meet Sunday evenings, September through June, to learn and practice the dances. Beginners are welcome, partners not necessary, soft, flexible shoes are good. We usually have a session for beginners and newer dancers […]
Note New location The Maine Balkan Choir Hancock County Oblast will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church fellowship hall in Ellsworth. 121 Bucksport Rd, Ellsworth, ME 04605 This group was started in 1998 by the late Kirsten Stockman and Joe Niemczura. We were in pandemic hibernation. This […]
Bring your foolish self and some foolish friends and find yourself where the fun is at the Cherryfield Contra Dance taking place on Saturday, April 1st from 7 to 10pm at the Cherryfield Academy Community Center! The triple fun talents of Shepsie Eaton, Molly Gawler and Bennett Konesni will be on full display playing and […]
Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dancing of Scotland. We dance in sets, usually longwise, of 3, 4, or more couples. We meet Sunday evenings, September through June, to learn and practice the dances. Beginners are welcome, partners not necessary, soft, flexible shoes are good. We usually have a session for beginners and newer dancers […]
Note New location The Maine Balkan Choir Hancock County Oblast will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church fellowship hall in Ellsworth. 121 Bucksport Rd, Ellsworth, ME 04605 This group was started in 1998 by the late Kirsten Stockman and Joe Niemczura. We were in pandemic hibernation. This […]
English country dancing returns to 317! A living tradition, ECD has for centuries served as a means of community interaction, exercise for the body and mind, and practice of the social graces. Related to New England contra dancing and Scottish country dancing, but generally less physically demanding, ECD is a great way to make friends, […]
Belfast Flying Shoes presents the First Friday Community Dance and Contra Dance Series. The evening kicks off at 6:00 with a warm-up session for the All Comers Band, led by Willy Clemetson & Benjamin Foss and open to all musicians, instruments, and skill levels. Tune list available on the website. At 6:30, Chrissy Fowler & […]
The Huddled Masses Orchestra was active in Maine a few years back and you may recall that we played the first Zwiefacher dance sessions at the Down East Country dance festival. Our members also played at the folk dance party for that event, as well as festivals and wedding receptions around the state. We also […]
Join us on April 8 for our annual FREE community event featuring entertainment, egg hunts, concessions, bunnies and more! Rain or shine, bring your own basket and join in the fun! All are welcome. Please register on our website: www.falmouthcongregationalchurch.org/easter-egg-hunt
Join us every Second Saturday from 3-5pm at the Old Sow Grill, 31 Water St in Eastport. In the warm tradition of Irish pubs, musicians and listeners are invited to the monthly jam - come to play music or come simply to listen and enjoy. Music books are provided and all levels are welcome - […]
This brand new contra dance in Surry starts up April 8th! Continues every 2nd Saturday from 7-10pm. $10-$20 suggested (no one refused entry due to lack of funds). All ages welcome, no experience necessary. All dances are taught & no need to bring a partner. Attendees are invited to bring potluck snacks to share! The […]
On Saturday, April 8, 7:00 pm, an evening of singer/songwriters at the Vienna Union Hall will honor the joy, wit, and musical talent of “Jenny” Lois Hinckley, our neighbor recently deceased. Elsie Gawler, Ruth Hill, Stan Keach, Steve Richardson, and Sagittarius Rising will each share their unique songwriting talents. Check out their individual websites and […]
Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dancing of Scotland. We dance in sets, usually longwise, of 3, 4, or more couples. We meet Sunday evenings, September through June, to learn and practice the dances. Beginners are welcome, partners not necessary, soft, flexible shoes are good. We usually have a session for beginners and newer dancers […]
Note New location The Maine Balkan Choir Hancock County Oblast will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church fellowship hall in Ellsworth. 121 Bucksport Rd, Ellsworth, ME 04605 This group was started in 1998 by the late Kirsten Stockman and Joe Niemczura. We were in pandemic hibernation. This […]
English country dancing returns to 317! A living tradition, ECD has for centuries served as a means of community interaction, exercise for the body and mind, and practice of the social graces. Related to New England contra dancing and Scottish country dancing, but generally less physically demanding, ECD is a great way to make friends, […]
Hear original works with a focus on storytelling and skilled musicianship by songwriter Gordon Bok.
Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dancing of Scotland. We dance in sets, usually longwise, of 3, 4, or more couples. We meet Sunday evenings, September through June, to learn and practice the dances. Beginners are welcome, partners not necessary, soft, flexible shoes are good. We usually have a session for beginners and newer dancers […]
Music provided by beloved local band, Some Reel People, with caller Allison Aldrich Smith. All dances are taught, no experience needed. Refreshments will be provided. Suggested donation $10. Under 18 free of charge. No one turned away for lack of funds.
The Maine Balkan Choir has been preparing a program of Ukrainian folk music this winter. We have gathered weekly in three subgroups - Ellsworth, Belfast and Portland. The goal is to sing as authentically as possible. The tunes for this event include love songs, pop tunes and lullabies. The charity event will take place May […]
Kennebec Contra Dance in the Hallowell City Hall Ballroom 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm: Newcomers' orientation 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm: Contra Dance Suggested donation: $15 to $25. Pay more if you can; our musicians are worth it. If you can't pay $15, pay what you can. Even if you have no money, you should […]
After a three year break, the beautiful hall of the Freeport Grange is ready to host Puckerbrush (musicians) and Kathryn Larson (caller) for a superb event of dancing. A time of review for newer dancers will begin at 2pm. The event will run until 4pm, or longer if the energy prevails…A fee of fifteen dollars […]
Playing jigs, reels, hambos, waltzes, marches, etc. Music traditions include contradance tunes, Irish, Scottish, Quebecois, Swedish, Southern. Fiddles, guitars, accordions, concertinas, mandolins, dulcimers, etc. welcome. We also have a keyboard available. Many of our tunes come out of the on-the-go collections - Portland, Waltz Books, Fiddlers Fake Book, Fiddlers Repertoire. We love to try tunes […]
Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dancing of Scotland. We dance in sets, usually longwise, of 3, 4, or more couples. We meet Sunday evenings, September through June, to learn and practice the dances. Beginners are welcome, partners not necessary, soft, flexible shoes are good. We usually have a session for beginners and newer dancers […]
English country dancing returns to 317! A living tradition, ECD has for centuries served as a means of community interaction, exercise for the body and mind, and practice of the social graces. Related to New England contra dancing and Scottish country dancing, but generally less physically demanding, ECD is a great way to make friends, […]
The Gawlers are a fun-loving, fiddling family band with shining smiles and joyful sounds. John and Ellen Gawler are master fiddle and banjo players and their three daughters, Molly, Edith and Elsie grew up with the music and formed a band of their own - The Gawler Sisters. The band includes "brother" Bennett Konesni and […]
Join us for our seasonal 5th Saturday Contra Dance at the beautiful and rather wonderful East Vassalboro Grange. Pot luck at 5:30 pm with beginners dance at 7 pm and main dance 7:30 to 10pm. All dances taught , families welcome.
On Saturday April 29, from 6-9 pm, Eastport Arts Center will host the Moose Island Contradance Etc. (MICE) band, a talent pool of Washington County’s finest musicians featuring Alice Schuth on fiddle, Susan Luthin on octave mandolin and whistle, Joan Lowden on bass, Kara McCrimmon on piano accordion, guitar and Irish whistle, and Jim O’Neil […]
Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dancing of Scotland. We dance in sets, usually longwise, of 3, 4, or more couples. We meet Sunday evenings, September through June, to learn and practice the dances. Beginners are welcome, partners not necessary, soft, flexible shoes are good. We usually have a session for beginners and newer dancers […]
A monthly contra dance in Portland, Maine. Event details at www.CommonFloorContra.dance
English country dancing returns to 317! A living tradition, ECD has for centuries served as a means of community interaction, exercise for the body and mind, and practice of the social graces. Related to New England contra dancing and Scottish country dancing, but generally less physically demanding, ECD is a great way to make friends, […]
Belfast Flying Shoes presents the First Friday Community Dance and Contra Dance Series. The evening kicks off at 6:00 with a warm-up session for the All Comers Band, led by Willy Clemetson & Benjamin Foss and open to all musicians, instruments, and skill levels. Tune list available on the website. At 6:30, Chrissy Fowler & […]
Calling all Larks and Ravens, Robins and Red Winged Blackbirds! You are cordially invited to join us for a Spring Fling Cherryfield Contra Dance on Saturday, May 6th from 7 to 10pm. The Cherryfield Academy Community Center is excitedly hosting a first time appearance by the world traveling and world famous, gifted musician Larry Unger, […]
Back by popular demand, singer-songwriter Ellis Paul will appear at the UUCB Concerts for a Cause concert series at the UU Church in Brunswick on May 6, 2023 at 7:30. He will be accompanied by Radoslav Lorkovic on piano. The proceeds from this concert will benefit the Brunswick Area Teen Center and Maine Family Planning. Ellis […]