Category: dance

Dancing in Literature: A resource for discovering books, esp. for young people, about dance

dance

If you’ve ever yearned to read a bunch of books about traditional New England social dance to your child or your students, we have a resource for you! Belfast Flying Shoes funded the compilation of “Dancing in Literature: A Partial Bibliography”, with additional support from the Maine Arts Commission. This collection–of fiction and non-fiction books related to all sorts of dance–emphasizes children’s & young adult books that connect to traditional, participatory, social dance & music. Enjoy!

Link to Belfast Flying Shoes Bibliography

Drawing of English Country Dancers

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance on May 20th, 2018

dance, Events

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the last in its 2018 series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On May 20th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at the Town Hall in Nelson, NH, with Sue Rosen teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Lovely music will be provided by fiddler Mary Lea and pianist Bruce Rosen.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 876-4211 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

Hastings House in Walpole NH

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance | Walpole

dance, Events

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the third in its series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On Sunday, March 18th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at Hastings House in Walpole, NH, with Brad Foster teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers. Hastings House is on Union Street in Walpole, up the hill from the Walpole Unitarian Church.

Lovely music will be provided by pianist Kate Barnes with lydia ievins on violin.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 876-4211 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance in Nelson

dance

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the last in its series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On May 15th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at the Nelson Town Hall in Nelson, NH, with Brad Foster teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers. Lovely music will be provided by performers lydia ievins, fiddle and Kate Barnes, piano.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 209-3304 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance in Peterborough

dance

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the third in its series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On March 20th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held in Bass Hall at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture, 19 Grove Street in Peterborough, NH, with Rich Jackson teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers.

Lovely music will be provided by performers Jacqueline Schwab, piano and Emily O’Brien, recorder.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 209-3304 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance | Peterborough NH

dance, Events

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the third in its series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On March 15h from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at Bass Hall in the Monadnock Center for History and Culture in Peterborough, NH, with Brad Foster teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers.

Lovely music will be provided by performers Peter Barnes, piano and lydia ievins, violin.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 209-3304

☼ ☼ ☼ Family Dance | Peterborough NH

dance, Events

Family Dance

6:30 – 8:30 PM

Bass Hall at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture

19 Grove Street

Peterborough NH

Part of the “Gents Bow, Ladies Know How: Traditional Dance and Music of the Monadnock Region 1750-2015” exhibit at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture

Amy Cann, Gordon Peery

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance | Keene HSCC – CANCELED

dance, Events

This dance is canceled due to weather — our musicians can’t get to Keene.

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the second in its 2015 series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On February 15th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will NOT be held at the Cheshire County Historical Society in Keene, NH. For more information call (603) 209-3304

Trip to Nelson plays a Concert and Contra Dance at Grand View Barn

Concerts, Contra Dance, dance, Dance Music, Events

ttnsmallAs part of the ecclectic June in Jaffrey Music Festival , Electric Earth concerts will be presenting the band Trip to Nelson, performing a combined concert and contra dance at Grand View Barn on Friday, June 27.

Trip to Nelson was formed in 2012  by several musicians who met at the Nelson (NH) Monday night dance. They quickly developed a reputation as being a high energy band who embraced innovation while still respecting the parameters of traditional New England contra dance music. Their recording, The Winding Road, gives full display to the breadth and versatility of the band, which consists of Perin Ellsworth-Heller, fiddle; Richard Backes, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo; Lizza Backes, concertina, flute, whistle; Matt Garland, flute, whistle, accordion; and Gordon Peery, piano and guitar. Since it’s sold out CD release concert in January 2013, the band has played throughout New England, and has quickly become a favorite for contra dancers in the Monadnock region.

The June 27 program opens with a concert, at 7 p.m., giving the band a chance to play some arrangements that would not typically be played at a contra dance, and giving the audience a chance to listen in greater detail to the tunes. At 8 pm, the irresistible urge to dance will become satisfied, as the concert flows seamlessly into a contra dance under the direction of caller Lisa Sieverts. Sieverts is a popular caller (from Nelson, of course), who is especially skilled at providing welcoming instruction to new dancers, while delivering dances that are equally satisfying for experienced dancers.

Concert-goers are invited to arrive with picnic baskets at 6 pm to enjoy dinner on the lawn with its dramatic proximity to Mt. Monadnock.

Admission is $15 for the concert and dance, with an $8 option for those just wishing to attend the dance. For more information or reservations: http://electricearthconcerts.org/, 646-522-3352

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance | Keene NH

dance, Events

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the last in its series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On May 11th from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at the Keene UU Church in Keene, NH, with Adina Gordon teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers.

Lovely music will be provided by performers TBD, piano and TBD, violin.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 209-3304