Look through our calendar below to find both in person and online events.
The FSGW Calendar can be viewed two ways:
FSGW and Voices in the Glen invite storytellers and listeners to an evening of shared stories. Anyone is welcome to tell a tale; no one ever has to. Event details here. Event is in-person, so please check the link and message ahead for directions.
Cost: FREE!
General information on Story Swaps
Swanky Kitchen Band, Live at the Library!
Co-Sponsored with the Library of Congress Homegrown Concerts Series
When: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT
Where: Thomas Jefferson Building - Whittall Pavilion (LJG45E) Ten 1st Street SE, Washington, DC 20540
Ticketing Information:
Free and Open to the public, but tickets are required: The event is free, but tickets are required, and there may be special restrictions. Get Tickets
Accessible seating is available upon request. Please request ADA accommodations at least five days in advance by contacting 202-707-6362 or ada@loc.gov.
Swanky Kitchen Band is on an essential quest to revive the traditional music of the Cayman Islands. Set amidst the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, the three tiny islands are home to kitchen dance music, an infectiously danceable fiddle-driven style. The kitchen dance sound, created through a crossroads of European and African influences, might have disappeared save for the efforts of Swanky Kitchen Band, the last of the Caymanian Kitchen Bands. Kitchen dance bands were led by master fiddlers, including the late Radley Gourzong, who performed at the Grand Ole Opry in 1987, a surprising feat for a Caribbean fiddler. Kitchen dance music owes its name largely to architectural necessity: because Caymanians traditionally lived in easily burned thatched-roof homes, their kitchens were constructed in open-air/semi-enclosed detached structures. Thus, the cooking of meals often became a community-wide event, with much comradery and celebration which often included music. In 2003, Samuel Rose, along with guitarist Nicholas Johnson, created Swanky Kitchen Band to preserve and revitalize this rapidly disappearing musical art form.
General information on Concerts
The Glen Echo Folk Dancers will be meeting in-person every Wednesday evening at Glen Echo Park (7300 MacArthur Blvd).
7:30 pm: beginning/intermediate/advanced teaching
8:30-10 pm: open request dancing
Admission: $10
We strongly urge everyone to be vaccinated and fully boostered, but do not require it. If you have not done so already, please send your email address to dancingplanet@erols.com.
Note: if you are having symptoms, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, or may be positive, please attend the class via Zoom for the next week or 2. If you attend the class and then test positive, please let me know immediately, so I can inform those who attended the class (without identifying you).
For out-of-towners and those who cannot attend in person, we are offering this class via Zoom. You can enter by clicking onto the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87152651884?pwd=QWVyVEc1cm9uWTNqTkwrYTdPWlRrdz09
Meeting ID: 871 5265 1884 Password: 145
See the website for more information: dancingplanetproductions.com/folkdance
In-person dancing at Glen Echo Town Hall
You may register in advance (preferred) or at the door. Attendance will be limited to 50 dancers and spectators so if you are planning on registering at the door, please check the event page beforehand to see how many spaces are left.
If you have not previously attended a Wednesday night English country dance at Glen Echo, you may select "first time free" when registering. New dancers are welcome. If you have no previous English country dance experience or would like a refresher, please arrive at around 7:30 for a lesson.
COVID info: masks and vaccinations encouraged but not required. More info
The dance is held in the upstairs room of the Glen Echo Town Hall.
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If you'd like to get weekly reminders and other email of interest to our local dancers, please send an email to ecd.registrar@fsgw.org to be added to the list.
General information on our English Country Dance web page
Melissa Marosy and David Kidman will co-host the August Online Open Sing on 8/2/24 at 7:30PM EDT
The Topic will be: Travel and Adventure. Or, Adventure Travel. Or, Traveling Adventures.
***Only those wishing to sing need to register.***
Signup
https://bit.ly/AugustOpenSingSign-up
Singer's List
https://bit.ly/AugustSingersList
Reminder:
Registration will be open til Noon EDT on 8/2/24.
Zoom Link will be sent to the Open Sing Mailing List, if you're not a member, sign up at https://groups.io/g/FSGWOpenSings
Hosted by Linda Mansdorf, John Robinson, Ben Hole, Vita Hollander & other guest instructors. This is a FREE event.
To Register for the Zoom link contact John Robinson at j_srobinson@verizon.net
No experience or partner necessary.
More information: International Folk Dancing (Greenbelt)
On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the FSGW Board will meet from 8pm to 10pm in a video conference meeting. Please contact the FGSW President via this link or the FSGW WebMaster via this link to get the video conference information if you wish to attend.
Board meetings are open to members. If you have agenda items you wish to have considered, please contact the FSGW President at: president@fsgw.org
April Blum calls to the playing of Jeff Steinberg (fiddle), Robin Wilson (flute and concertina), and Liz Donaldson (piano)
In the Great Hall (wood floor) at the Silver Spring Civic Building.
Please note: There is no longer free parking at the Civic Center Parking Garage
Caller: TBA
Band: Seán Heely Trio (Seán Heely on fiddle, Abbie Palmer on harp, and Agi Kovacs on percussion)
Calling Terms: Larks and Robins
Lesson at 7:00pm, Dance is from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Registration is required of all participants. Pre-registration is preferred - you may pay online or wait to pay at the door. You may register at the door. Cash and credit card are accepted at the door. Registrations may be cancelled prior to the event, and any payment will be refunded as a credit for future use. No refunds will be available after the event has started.
The monthly Song Circle provides a daytime opportunity to enjoy delightful songs, old or new, humorous or serious, timeless or topical. Free!
Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience. Come for informal group singing or just to listen, in person or via Zoom.
Bring or request your favorite summertime songs, or any other songs! We'll go around the room as many times as we can, giving everyone a chance to lead or request a song (or just pass) during each round.
If you wish to request particular songs, it helps to keep the singing going if you let us know in advance using the registration form linked below.
Susan McNelis will lead songs with guitar accompaniment, and any participant may lead any song, a cappella or self-accompanied.
The in-person session will be held under FSGW's COVID-19 Policy Tier 2 guidelines.
If you can't come in person, you can join us on Zoom with any Internet-connected device--computer, tablet, or smartphone--or you can join by dialing a phone number.
If this will be your first use of Zoom, go to https://zoom.us, click on " Sign Up Free " and follow the prompts. Do this ahead of time so that you'll be all set to "join the meeting" when it's time to do so. Information about getting started with Zoom is at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697.
Before you join a Zoom session, if you installed Zoom on your computer before July 22, go to zoom.us/download to download and install the current version (6.1.5). For a smartphone or tablet, update the Zoom app from your App Store or equivalent source.
Join us on August 9 in person or via Zoom. Especially if you're just getting started with Zoom, please try to join the Zoom session 5 or 10 minutes before 1:30 p.m. so that we can help with any technical issues before the singing begins.
For more information see the Song Circles page.
No Barn Dance this month, please check back in September!
General information on our Barn Dance web page
FSGW Gospel Sing in Kensington MD
Sunday, August 11, 4 - 7 pm
The August 2024 Gospel Sing will take place at Karen Smith’s home in Kensington MD. Group singing for two hours, from 4 - 6 pm, potluck dinner from 6 -7 pm. Hymnals provided. A mask-friendly event — masks are optional but welcome. Everyone is welcome, but be sure you have had the latest COVID booster and are symptom-free. RSVP/directions: email kwren.smith@gmail.com or kpmack2@gmail.com or call/text 240-338-0180.
General information about Gospel Sings
There is no Grapevine Storytelling program in August. We are taking a rest!
The Grapevine is spoken word performance for adults and teens, celebrating the timeless art of the story, hosted by storytellers Renée Brachfeld and Tim Livengood.
Learn more about The Grapevine (Storytelling) series
FSGW and Voices in the Glen invite storytellers and listeners to an evening of shared stories. Anyone is welcome to tell a tale; no one ever has to. Event details and Zoom link here.
The Takoma Park Old-Time Jam is again at Busboys and Poets in Takoma Park, the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
More info about the Old-Time Jams
Larry Weinerwill lead an
Oldies but Goodies Night
all request evening featuring recorded music international folk dance favorites - many easy dances to just follow along -
Request dancing 8:00-9:30pm.
An evening with the Balkan Soul Band.
Bulgarian folk tunes and songs are known in the West for their complex rhythms, asymmetrical meters, melodic ornamentation, and unique harmony. “Balkan Soul” band brings the rich Bulgarian musical heritage to audiences on the East Coast at concerts, dance events, community celebrations, workshops, and lectures at universities. “Balkan Soul” band performs Bulgarian folk music from all regions of Bulgaria as well as folk music from Romania, Serbia, Albania, and Northern Macedonia. The band members are Kalin Kirilov (accordion, tambura), Yana Kirilova (vocals), and Stanley Kirilov (tapan, tarambuka).
- many easy dances to just follow along -
8:00-9:30pm.
This is a free event! Greenbelt Community Center - Dance Studio (Metropolitan DC Area) 15 Crescent Rd. - Greenbelt, MD 20770
On Monday, September 9, 2024, the FSGW Board will meet from 8pm to 10pm in a video conference meeting. Please contact the FGSW President via this link or the FSGW WebMaster via this link to get the video conference information if you wish to attend.
Caller: Perry Shafran
Band: Starling (Mo Brachfeld and Jared Kirkpatrick)
Starling is a long-distance duo, coming from Western MA and NC. The two met at dance camp many years ago and have been jamming ever since. The duo weaves together traditional fiddle styles from Appalachia to Ireland with contemporary contra dance tunes and original music!
Mo Brachfeld is a fiddler and dancer who grew up attending intergenerational music and dance events. They play traditional and original tunes for concerts and dances, including as part of the duo Starling with Jared Kirkpatrick. Mo teaches sean nós (Irish old style) dance in person and online, and is a creator and co-organizer of Dissident Rhythms, a queer percussive dance retreat. They are also a committee member of Youth Dance Weekend. Mo lives in Western Massachusetts where they work on honing their pottery skills and expanding their collection of houseplants. More about Mo
Jared Kirkpatrick (Starling, Flamingo Sketches) has been immersed in the contra dance world all his life, and has been lucky enough to play with multiple dance bands. With very broad musical influences and interests from Balkan harmony singing to fusion and jazz music, he loves focusing on the possibilities that arise when these styles influence each other and come together. Jared studied jazz vibraphone at Temple University, and is now based in NC, taking every excuse to travel and play contra dances all across the country. More about Jared
Ben Hole will lead, teach and organize the request dancing.
Lessons 8:00 - 8:30pm
Request dancing 8:30 - 9:30pm.
COME JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND CAREER OF MARY CLIFF!
As a voice on radio, as a promoter of traditional music, as a long-time President of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, and as a founding member of the international Folk Alliance, MARY CLIFF has been an unmatched leader of the folk community, not only in the Washington D.C. area, but nationally. In short, no one has contributed more to promoting folk music in the DMV than Mary Cliff.
Mary’s career dates back to the 1960s when she met DJ DICK CERRI at Georgetown’s Cellar Door and soon after became his assistant. Mary soon moved from assisting radio programming to become an on-air presence. After stints at WAVA and pre-progressive WHFS, Mary moved to WETA-FM shortly its founding in 1970. Assigned to its folk music show in 1973, her radio show, “Traditions,” became a staple of public radio, and usually introduced or followed the nationally syndicated “Prairie Home Companion.” When WETA adopted an all-classical format, both these shows found a new home on WAMU-FM. When Mary left WAMU-FM, she became a volunteer on the air at Arlington Community Radio, WERA-LP.
Mary promoted folk music -“and things you can see from here” - by playing music on “Traditions.” In so doing, she helped discover and promote many performers who went on to great things, including MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, EMMYLOU HARRIS, NANCY GRIFFITH, GARNET ROGERS, MAGPIE, MARY BLACK, and many, many others. And she also championed local performers through”Who’s Where,” her bulletin board on“Traditions,” which alerted listeners to performers and venues that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
Mary also lent her skills to the FSGW, first as a Board member, and later as President. Her calm demeanor shepherded the Board through many contentious issues. And the respect she had earned in the Washington community opened doors for the FSGW and the performers it sponsored. And every year, she emceed the program at the Cuddleup stage at the FSGW Festival.
In addition, Mary played an important role behind the scenes in the Smithsonian’s annual Festival of American Folklife. Recognizing an unfulfilled need, with the help of volunteers, every evening Mary organized food, drink, and hospitality for the performers appearing at the festival and the staff. In so doing, Mary strengthened the bonds between performers and the festival and helped them create bonds with each other.
Join us on Sunday, September 15 at 1:00 P.M. at Ireland’s Four Provinces, located at 105 Broad Street in Falls Church, Virginia, to celebrate Mary’s life and career. Some of Mary’s friends and admirers will talk about that life. And several of Mary’s favorite performers will lend their talents, too. You can expect great food at “The 4 P’s” in a 3-course lunch with multiple choices (including vegetarian). While there will be an open bar, everything else - food, soft drinks, and tip - will be included in the $50 ticket price. It will be a great afternoon, not soon to be forgotten.
Linda Mansdorf will lead, teach and organize the request dancing.
Request dancing 8:30-9:30pm.
The Getaway Friday, September 27th, with a pot-luck dinner, and runs so late on Sunday night that we serve breakfast on Monday morning, September 30th.
The Getaway is an amazing weekend-long party of folks who love to sing, play and listen to folk music. We come together in a lovely riverside retreat to join together in making music, sharing what we bring and learning from friends old and new. There will be workshops, sing-arounds, sign-up concerts, music and conversations at all hours. Participation is encouraged at any level comfortable to you in a supportive and welcoming environment. Old and new songs and tunes, recitations and stories, along with information on historical contexts and insights, have filled the Getaway, along with conversation and laughter, for over half a century; come be a part of the fun!
2024 invited guests include Sally Rogers and Howie Bursen, Bare Bones (Bill and Becky Kimmons, Dock Cutlip), David Jones, and Marcy Cochran.
Registration is now open. Although the Getaway will not occur until the weekend of September 27 - September 30, 2024, it is helpful if you can register soon. You do not need to pay immediately, but we expect you to view registration as a commitment. If you have not paid in full by September 10 we will remind you. If you have not paid or made arrangements with us by September 13 we will cancel your registration without refund.
Please fill out the entire registration form. We pay close attention to what you write; we use this information to plan workshops and assign rooms.
Here is a summary of the prices:
Overnight Registrations Day Registrations
2 Nights
3 Nights
Adult Member
Upper Bunk
$265
$310
Lower Bunk
$275
$325
Adult Non-Member
$300
$345
$360
Child age through 3
$0
Child age 4 to 12
$115
$160
Child age 13 to 17
$150
$190
Student 18 and older
$230
1 Day
2 Days
Without Meals
$50
$100
$60
$120
$8
$15
$30
See the Getaway page for details.
John Robinson will lead, teach and organize the request dancing.
Contrastock: 8+ hours of contra dancing! A premier contra dance event, featuring nationally renowned bands and callers and an amazing open air dance hall.
When: October 20, 2024 from 1pm to 10:00 PM. There is a break for dinner.
Where: Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park
Bands: Engine Room (Noah VanNorstrand, Alex Sturbaum, Kelsey Wells), Dam Beavers (Ben Schreiber and Scotty Leach), Handspring (Owen Morrison, Alexander Mitchell, and Carrie Rose)
Callers: Will Mentor, Beth Molaro, Scott Higgs
Please use fragrance sparingly or not at all. Contrastock is being called with non- gendered dance role terms
Covid protocol: Masks and vaccinations are encouraged but not required
More about the FSGW COVID-19 Response policy
Greenbelt Community Center - Upstairs Gymnasium (Metropolitan DC Area) 15 Crescent Rd. - Greenbelt, MD
Free
FSGW is thrilled to return to the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase for another fantastic New Year’s celebration. We plan a full evening of fun dances to amazing musicians. Stay tuned for the fanciest NYE in the Metro area.
Doors open at 7:15, and the Grand March starts at 8. There will be a toast at midnight, followed by Auld Lang Syne, then some final dancing.
Caller: Gaye Fifer Band: Hot Coffee Breakdown (Tom Cunningham, Kate Sanders, and Luis deLeon)
Caller: Gaye Fifer
Band: Hot Coffee Breakdown (Tom Cunningham, Kate Sanders, and Luis deLeon)
Details and updates can be found on the New Year's Eve Contra Dance Ball page.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a snack to share!
Covid protocol: If Covid transmission rates are low in Maryland, DC, and Virginia at the time of the event we will be encouraging but not requiring masks and vaccinations
SAVE THE DATE!
#Dance Weekend is an ultra challenging urban dance weekend featuring mind bending figures, non-gendered calling, and phenomenal music. Two days of amazing workshops, dancing, community, fun, and food in the fabulous open air, covered Bumper Car Pavilion; workshops throughout Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD
Bands and callers TBA
Volunteering: Full-weekend volunteers will be assigned 3 hours of work. Partial-weekend volunteers will be assigned 1 hour of work
Come join us for a fabulous time! Doors open at 7:00 pm. Dancing starts at 7:30.
Music by Hijinks featuring Miranda Weinberg on violin, Carrie Rose on flute, and Kathy Talvitie on keyboard.
Please visit the Annual Washington Spring Ball page for additional details.
Copyright 2018 The Folklore Society of Greater Washington