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. 6:00 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. 6:30 Community Dance (Chrissy Fowler & Lisa Newcomb calling with music by […]
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 - […]
Community Dance 6pm - 6.45pm ... 2nd Saturdays in Surry at 6! This is a fun and friendly dance for all ages, Bennett Konesni of Bagaduce Music heads up the Open Band (open to all musicians, instruments & skill levels). Show up 15 minutes early to get situated if you'd like to play with us! […]
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.
Hear original works with a focus on storytelling and skilled musicianship by songwriter Gordon Bok. FYI Gordon is only doing limited concerts so here's your chance to see him. Wonderful songs and tunes. Fund raiser for Meeting House Arts in Freeport. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/574896941227
Community Contra Dance, Music provided by Birds On A Wire, called by Maggie Robinson. Please Note: If you are looking for directions on google maps, enter ONLY the words "Otisfield Community Hall, Otisfield, Maine" We have found that if the street number is used, google does not know our location!
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 Ballroom Come join us and dance to welcome in the spring (oh, and just because it's fun). T-Acadie is a well-know local Maine band that specializes in all things Acadian. We should have a blast. 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm: Newcomers’ orientation 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm: Contra […]
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, […]
April 28 Contra dance - Fundraiser Come support TWO wonderful organizations: Atlantic Challenge and our very own Ecology Learning Center. There will be a contra dance at the Belfast boathouse from 7 - 10pm with a break in the middle. Benjamin Foss and Bennett Konesni will be our band for the evening along with John […]
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 […]
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
The Eastport Arts Center is pleased to present a series of Fiddle workshops being led by renowned Irish fiddler, Gerry O’Connor. Gerry O’Connor is an experienced and talented fiddle teacher who has taught at the Willie Clancy Summer school in Co. Clare, Ireland, as well as having held master-classes throughout Europe. As a fiddle maker […]
The Eastport Arts Center is pleased to present a series of Fiddle workshops being led by renowned Irish fiddler, Gerry O’Connor. Gerry O’Connor is an experienced and talented fiddle teacher who has taught at the Willie Clancy Summer school in Co. Clare, Ireland, as well as having held master-classes throughout Europe. As a fiddle maker […]
Two hours of ECD every other Wednesday in May, then moving to Tuesdays for the summer, open to the public. Recorded music. $5 Great caller. Dancers must be fully vaccinated and masked. Dancing starts at 7:00 Doors open at 6:45 For details, see https://folkdancers.org/BrunswickECD.html ,and also the Covid Policy at https://folkdancers.org/BrunswickCOVID.html
MAY 4, Thursday ~ Musicians’ Workshop: Playing for Dances ~ Partnership Program w/Waterfall Arts ~ Practical wisdom and tools of the trade from stellar dance musicians, Emily Troll & Larry Unger. Emily leads open bands in Maine and beyond; Larry teaches dance musicians at camps and festivals throughout North America. We’re thrilled to have them […]
The Eastport Arts Center is pleased to present a series of Fiddle workshops being led by renowned Irish fiddler, Gerry O’Connor. Gerry O’Connor is an experienced and talented fiddle teacher who has taught at the Willie Clancy Summer school in Co. Clare, Ireland, as well as having held master-classes throughout Europe. As a fiddle maker […]
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. 6:00 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. 6:30 Community Dance (Chrissy Fowler & Lisa Newcomb calling with music by […]
The Eastport Arts Center is pleased to present an evening Concert with Gerry O’Connor and Kevin McElroy performing a selection of Irish fiddle compositions. O’Connor has played and recorded with such highly-regarded groups as Lá Lúgh (Eithne Ní Uallacháin, Sony Music) and Skylark (Len Graham, Gary O’Briain & Mairtin O’Connor), recording four CDs on the […]
Join Gerry O'Connor for a traditional, participatory jam session at the Old Sow Grill in Eastport. Bring your instrument of choice, or just come to listen. This event is open to all who enjoy traditional Irish fiddle. The Old Sow Grill is located at 31 Water St in Eastport, ME, 04631.
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 […]