A special community dance hosted by Opera House Arts and Belfast Flying Shoes welcomes all comers to the Stonington Opera House.
Buckle on your dancing shoes, grab a friend and head on down to the Stonington Opera House on Friday October 20 from 6:30-9pm for a special free community dance with the Belfast Flying Shoes and music by Sassafrass Stomp! Fun and simple dances will be taught, giving beginners the opportunity to learn new skills and offering experienced dancers a chance to brush up on their steps.
The Community Dance is the culmination of a week-long education residency between Belfast Flying Shoes, Deer Isle-Stonington’s Elementary School and the Brooklin School. Throughout the week leading up to the dance, 95 students in grades 3 and 4 will engage in learning the traditional, participatory, New England dancing called contra dancing. A lifelong physical/arts activity based on simple patterns of movement, contra dancing is rooted in our regional history and is still thriving. Learning to move cooperatively and respectfully, students will demonstrate their new skills as part of the public community dance at the Stonington Opera House.
“Contra Dance will teach our students skills they can use for a lifetime: knowing their own bodies, learning healthy physical boundaries, and practicing cooperative interaction with others” says Joshua McCarey, Opera House Arts’ Education Associate who coordinated the residency week. “Contra Dance forges community and unleashes joy!”
The Community Dance will feature caller Chrissy Fowler. A founder and leading light of the Belfast Flying Shoes dance series, Chrissy spreads the joy of contra dancing also at schools, community gatherings, and private events. With wit and good cheer, she keeps things spicy enough for veteran dancers while making novices feel equally welcome. Sharing the Flying Shoes stage with Chrissy will be Sassafrass Stomp, featuring Johanna Davis on fiddle, shruti box and vocals, and Adam Nordell on guitar and vocals.
For more information, please email info@operahousearts.org, visit www.operahousearts.org, or call 207-367-2788.
