Community Calendar

Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dance of Scotland, done in longwise sets of several couples. We meet weekly to learn and enjoy the dances. All dances are taught. We recommend soft soled, flexible shoes. Bring a water bottle. There is a beginner/preview session at 5 p.m. by request. Note, we do not dance during the month of December.

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 All Comers Band.) 8:00 Contra Dance with a guest caller & musicians (see calendar for details).

At the Fellowship Hall of the First Church in Belfast, UCC, 8 Court St, Belfast ME. Community Dance admission is $1 kids & $2 adults; Contra Dance admission is $15-20 (and includes admission to the Community Dance.) Volunteers who commit in advance get free admission. Masks available for those who wish to wear them.

For the BFS community care policy, First Friday FAQ, and more info on the contra schedule and other programs, volunteering, or other questions, visit: www.belfastflyingshoes.org or belfastflyingshoes@gmail.com.

Saturday, December 6th at 2:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 6th at 7:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00pm - Featuring the Portland Ballet Orchestra at Merrill Auditorium
Saturday, December 20th at 11:00am - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 20th at 5:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Sunday, December 21st at 2:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center

Join Portland Ballet this holiday season for its gorgeous production of the beloved classic, in which a young girl travels through her dreams to the Land of the Sweets alongside her favorite gift—a Nutcracker. This version is unique to Portland, with the first act drawing upon the Victoria Mansion's own history and characters. Don’t miss the chance to see this lush holiday production, perfect for the whole family.

https://www.portlandballet.org/vicnut25

Saturday, December 6th at 2:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 6th at 7:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00pm - Featuring the Portland Ballet Orchestra at Merrill Auditorium
Saturday, December 20th at 11:00am - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 20th at 5:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Sunday, December 21st at 2:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center

Join Portland Ballet this holiday season for its gorgeous production of the beloved classic, in which a young girl travels through her dreams to the Land of the Sweets alongside her favorite gift—a Nutcracker. This version is unique to Portland, with the first act drawing upon the Victoria Mansion's own history and characters. Don’t miss the chance to see this lush holiday production, perfect for the whole family.

https://www.portlandballet.org/vicnut25

A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood is an evening of songs and storytelling, heartstrings and laughter. Holiday audience members can anticipate the high-energy, big-harmony, dueling acoustic guitar approach that Ryanhood fans across the country have come to expect. Featuring a blend of original holiday compositions, wintry covers, and reworked classics woven together with holiday stories and memories, Ryan David Green and Cameron Hood invite you to experience the joy, depth, intimacy, and excitement of the holiday season by sharing A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood.

Join us for the Downcast Community Dance, a recurring gathering designed to bring movement, music, and connection to Bar Harbor. Hosted at ArtWaves, this inclusive event welcomes dancers of all levels to come together and share in the joy of creative expression.

The dance takes place on Sundays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of the month, offering a rhythm to your week and a space for both beginners and seasoned dancers to feel at home.

$10 suggested donation.

For questions or more information, please contact susan.sassaman@pronton.me

Scottish Country Dance is the ballroom dance of Scotland, done in longwise sets of several couples. We meet weekly to learn and enjoy the dances. All dances are taught. We recommend soft soled, flexible shoes. Bring a water bottle. There is a beginner/preview session at 5 p.m. by request. Note, we do not dance during the month of December.

Mixed Level Belly Dance:

Authentic Belly Dance, or raks sharqi, is an ancient form of dance. Raks sharqi means “dance of the east” in Arabic. Belly dance celebrates every body type and every stage of life. The dance is proud and powerful and soft and sinewy with elegant and isolating movements emanating from the core. It’s the Pilates of dance. And so much fun! In this Mixed Level (Beginner through Intermediate/Advanced) class, we will work with improvisation and group choreography, as well as continually working with subtleties of technique at whatever level you are.

Please wear comfortable clothing, similar to what you might wear to a yoga class that will allow for free movement and the ability to see your movement. Hip scarves make it even more fun. You can dance barefoot or in a pair of comfortable dance shoes. Zils (finger cymbals) and veils will also be used in class and are available for purchase from the instructor.

Fall 2025 & Winter 2026 Session I (Beg/ML)

10-week Session: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6-7:15pm
9-10 & 24, 10-8 & 22, 11-12, 12-10-25 & 1-14 & 28, 2-11 & 2-25-25
$150 per person for the 10-week session; $20 drop-in rate per class.

@ People Plus, 35 Union Street, Brunswick, ME

Register through Merrymeeting Adult Education for the current session.

Calling musicians of all levels! Please come and join us on the second Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 pm for a community - based open mic session. All levels and musical genres are welcome as are individuals, duos, groups, whatever. This will be an all - acoustic session but there will be a small Fishman amplifier and microphone available on an as needed basis.

Our open mic group shall endeavor to provide a fun and judgement free opportunity to share our musical offerings with others. Original compositions as well as covers are welcomed. Please pass the word to friends and let's create a community where we can gather to play, sing, laugh, learn and get to know our neighbors. The event shall be by donation ($2 suggested) with all proceeds going to The Gatherings.

Thanks and we hope to see you at our first open mic on Saturday, January 14 at 1:00 pm. Should you have any questions or need for additional information please feel free to email Joe Bruno at jbruno56@gmail.com.

Every 2nd Saturday in Surry at 6pm!

Community Dance 6pm - 6.45pm
This fun and friendly dance for all ages is led by Bagaduce Music with support by 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! There's no admission charge for the community dance, but donations are very welcome.

Contra Dance 7pm - 10pm
Contra dance is easy to learn since all dances are taught. Everyone is welcome to dance, regardless of age or dancing ability! There's no need to bring a partner either!
The cost is sliding scale, $10-$20 suggested. This dance helps support the Arbutus Grange.

You can expect to dance to superb local bands and be instructed by fantastic callers. To see who is playing and calling each month or for more info, email alicekslater@gmail.com, call 385-7694, visit www.deffa.org or follow on IG/FB @SurryContraDance

The Surry School Auditorium is at 754 North Bend Rd, Surry. Just 6 miles outside of Ellsworth.