Belfast Flying Shoes Summer Sunshine Community Dance

On Friday, July 11, celebrate the brightness of the season at a special Summer Sunshine Community Dance & Contra Dance presented by Belfast Flying Shoes, the Rockport Opera House, and the Town of Rockport.

The event includes simple and accessible community dances for all ages, contras & squares with gender-neutral role terms, waltzes and more. A unique cultural tradition, this intergenerational and chem-free program welcomes new dancers and experienced folks alike.

The fun begins at 6:30 pm, with Chrissy Fowler calling an easy-to-learn community dance. Lively music is provided by the All Comers Band, led by Molly Gawler and open to all ages, instruments and skill levels. (All Comers musicians warm up at 6:00 pm, sample tunes posted at belfastflyingshoes.org.)

At 8:00 pm, Liz Nelson will get dancers moving for contras and squares with her characteristic warm smile and skilled calling. The high-energy, driving music by Dance Panther (Alden Robinson on fiddle, Bethany Waickman on guitar & piano, and Glen Loper on banjo & mandolin) will fuel the excitement, as folks of all ages let their shoes fly across the dance floor.

The Rockport Opera House is at 6 Central Street in downtown Rockport. Admission for the entire evening is $15-25 sliding scale. (For the first hour’s Community Dance only, admission is $1 kids $2 adults.)

Belfast Flying Shoes was founded in 2005 with a mission to bolster the spirited dance and music community in Midcoast Maine. Its nonprofit programs include school residencies and a weekly show on Belfast Community Radio/WBFY.

Built in 1891, the Rockport Opera House is one of the architectural gems of Maine. Owned by the Town of Rockport, the venue hosts concerts, weddings, special events, and community programming throughout the year.