BELFAST – On Friday, Aug. 7 elevate your spirits at the Flying Shoes contra dance with a band and caller new to Belfast: Joy Factor and Jeremy Korr.
Every first Friday the program kicks off at 6 p.m., when the All Comers Band warms up and chooses tunes. Open to all ages, instruments and skill levels, the free-flowing ensemble works from a collection of tunes posted on the Flying Shoes website.
The easy-to-learn community dance begins at 6 p.m. with caller Chrissy Fowler. New dancers, families with kids, singles and longtime enthusiasts can revel in the simple folk dances accompanied by music by local musicians in the All Comers megaband.
The contra dance starts at 8 p.m. with Massachusetts-based musicians Joy Factor. Rebecca Rose Weiss and Gianna Marzilli Ericson provide the group’s melodic foundation with their classic twin fiddle sound, while Henry Yoshimura holds down the solid rhythm on guitar. The evening’s caller Jeremy Korr hails from southern California and anchors his dance leadership on a lifetime of folk dancing. His warm demeanor and careful programming support both experienced dancers and newcomers. Jesse Ball, who has played music for countless contra dances throughout Maine, will provide top-notch sound.
The First Church is at 8 Court St. in Belfast. Admission is $15-25 for the whole evening. For just the first hour’s Community Dance, admission is $1 kids/$2 adults. First Friday FAQ, BFS Community Care Policy, All Comers Band tune lists and other information is at www.belfastflyingshoes.org.
Support for Belfast Flying Shoes comes from grantors, individual donors and local sponsors, including Zach Watson, Terra Firma PE, SeaStrings, Searsport Shores Ocean Camping, the Green Store, Colburn Shoe Store, Belfast Community Co-op and 1Mill.
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. The nonprofit offers diverse programs, including participatory dance residencies in local schools and instrument lessons at the Maine Coast Regional Reentry Center.