day date start_time end_time miltime duration hall rating short verbose performers Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) DB Balfolk Sampler Curious about balfolk? Come learn some of the more commonly done balfolk dances. Balfolk includes couple dances, line, and circle dances. Lynn Baumeister, Lisa Tamres, Box and String Trio Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS ECD Maggots and Fancies Many English Country Dance titles include the word “maggot” because one definition of maggot is a whimsical thought, or a flight of fancy. Come and discover what quirky thoughts might emerge as we explore a few of these fun and lively dances. Cathy Hollister, Crossover Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Duchess (Hotel East) TB Writing in the Tradition Performing and describing my approach to writing songs in traditional styles - thinking about content, style, instrumentation and purpose - how to fit subject, lyric and music together to tell your story and carry your emotion. Kim Wallach Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Intro to Contra New to Contra? Feeling a little rusty? Set yourself up for success this weekend with a crash course in the basics of contra dance figures and techniques. Ben Sachs-Hamilton, Paper Plane Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Hardanger d'Amore Music & Musings A musical introduction to the versatility of the Hardanger d'Amore, featuring Scandinavian, Celtic, self-composed tunes. Also, the story of these unique instruments made by band member Dev! Sophie, Dev, & Jane Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Native American Style Flute Duo weaving the gorgeous tones of the Native American Style Flute with guitar, voice, and percussion to create a blend of soothing songs and contemporary Native American flute music. Montana Spark Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GS Crazy Balkan Rhythms Jam: Berance and Beyond! Play and/or sing Balkan music in 9, 11, 12, 13, 22, mixed meters and beyond! There will be a core group of folks to follow; paper/digital music/lyrics provided. Some minimal instruction on rhythm/lyrics. Crazy Balkan Rhythms Posse Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Trade Center Tent GS FSSGB Open Sing Join the Folk Song Society of Greater Boston for an Open Sing - and bring your song(s) to sing! Accompanied, unaccompanied, folk songs, traditional songs, songs with choruses and with no chorus - everyone is welcome to lead a song, sing along, or just listen! Folk Song Society of Greater Boston Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Trade Center West DS Cruise Control Contras Novel and known dances that let you enjoy the tunes as you travel. Don Veino, Roaring Jelly Friday 4/24/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Westborough (Hotel West) E On The Water Songs from the sea, lake, river, or maybe the swimming pool: traditional songs, covers, and home-grown songs that take place on or by the water. Sing along if you know the song! Ergo Canto Friday 4/24/2026 7:30 PM 8:20 PM 1930 50 Southborough (Hotel West) GB Honky Tonk Country Sing-a-Long Sing along to honky tonk country songs from the heyday of country music by the likes of Hank Williams and Loretta Lynn. Led by Planet Banjo country band. All words provided. Planet Banjo Friday 4/24/2026 7:30 PM 8:20 PM 1930 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) E Voices of New York and New England Chris will present Ballads, Songs and Stories collected from New York State and New England. Songs will be from those collected by some of the cornerstones of folk collecting in the 19th and 20th Centuries, and some of the singers who carried on the traditions with their own songs. Chris Koldewey Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) TS Great Variations of Balkan Dances Tired of doing the same dance every time the band plays trite pati, rachenica or daichvo? This session is designed to introduce dancers to some of the many variations of dances that are commonly done in one way in the folk dance community. Barbara Merson, Tom Pixton Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS An ECD Tribute to Tributes Many dances - old and new - have been written in honor of persons or events. In this session, we'll explore a variety of tributes from throughout the years. Barrett Grimm, Intuition Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Duchess (Hotel East) P Robert Burns and His Influence on Scottish Folk Music Robert (Bobbie) Burns was a Scottish poet whose poems were transformed into several traditional Scottish folk tunes. Learn about the history behind the poems, the man himself, and the songs his work inspired. Lyndsey Luther Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Israeli Dancing for All No partners needed for these easy-to-learn Israeli folk dances which will be taught and cued so all dancers can participate. Join us when you arrive for a rousing beginning to your NEFFA festival. Joan & Jim Savitt Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Music of Irish Harper Turlough O'Carolan This concert of music by Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738), a blind Irish harper, will be performed on fiddle, piano, hammered dulcimer and others. The Carolan Consort Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Joyful Fiddle Tunes and Songs Relax to ice-cream-powered, fireworks-interrupted, and cricket-witnessed New England-style fiddle tunes and songs, many of which we’ve written and are excited to share with you Joy Factor Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Sterling (Hotel West) TB Becoming a Song Leader Come hear tips from a seasoned pub sing leader, experiences of a newcomer, and examples that will help you find your place in community music making. Pace Willisson, Lynn Noel Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Trade Center Tent E World Music Boston Harmony, a multigenerational community choir, will perform a variety of music including American shape-note songs and traditional songs from Corsica, Caucasus Georgia, the Balkans, and South Africa. Boston Harmony Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Trade Center West DS Flowy Contras Enjoy contras where one move soars into the next? This contra session features dances where you can get in the groove and flow through the lines! Julian Blechner, The Vintons Friday 4/24/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GB French Jam Balfolk guided jam. Traditional and contemporary dance tunes from Brittany and France. Music provided. All instruments welcome. Mark Vidor Friday 4/24/2026 8:30 PM 9:20 PM 2030 50 Southborough (Hotel West) TS Whistling Whorkshop Techniques for whistling with the lips, with special focus on whistling for dance music, as well as considerations for performance in general. Jonathan Danforth, Ari Erlbaum Friday 4/24/2026 8:30 PM 9:20 PM 2030 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) TB Keeping our Bodies Dancing as We Age Some useful movements to incorporate into our lives so that our bodies are more comfortable and can continue to dance and make music. Suitable for all bodies of any age and ability! Anna Rain Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 10:05 PM 2100 65 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NS Balkan & Roma Dance Party Join Meraki Caravan for some folk dancing to live music from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, Turkey, and the Romani diaspora. Meraki Caravan Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) NS Mostly Waltzes In the spirit of Philadelphia's popular "Mostly Waltz" series, a variety of waltzes and other couple dances such as schottische, tango, swing, hambo, or polka. Alias Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GS Fiddle Tunes Friendly and Familiar Folks from the long running Berlin MA Old Time Jam welcome you to join a session of best known tunes played at 'Back Porch' tempo (under 100bpm) . . Berlin Jam Friends Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Intro to English Country Dance Discover ECD's beautiful, varied music and blissful movements that have delighted dancers for centuries. Fritillary Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Princess (Hotel East) TS Slow Jam: Make It a Musical Conversation When playing in a group, can we do more than the usual “wall of sound”? Using a few simple tunes, we will learn to listen, meld, add simple rhythms and harmonies, and create excitement through tension and resolution. We'll engage in a musical conversation that enriches players and dancers alike. David Titus, Debby Knight Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Social Justice Songs Jason Baker performs social justice music, including old favorites and contemporary songs in the tradition, on banjo, 6 and 12-string guitar, ukulele and harmonica. Jason Baker Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GS Foc'sle Songs and Street Ballads Foc'sle songs and street ballads sung in chorus with the maritime group ShinBone Alley - and stories of the sea to float. ShinBone Alley Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 10:50 PM 2100 110 Trade Center Tent GB Pub Sing We may not have a pub, but we can still raise the rafters! A traditional English-style pub sing, emphasizing chorus songs. Bring one to share, or just follow along. Jeff Keller Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 9:20 PM 2100 20 Trade Center West NX Friday Contra Medley A NEFFA tradition for experienced dancers. This is a 20 minute series of no-walk through dances. It's a blast! Various Callers, Whirlwind Friday 4/24/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GS Multi-idiom Jam Let's play music from various folk traditions - sheet music provided - Celtic, ECD, Balkan, Klezmer, Scandi... Let's break boundaries! Yaron Shragai Friday 4/24/2026 9:30 PM 10:20 PM 2130 50 Southborough (Hotel West) E Thumbpicking Grand Champion High energy, dynamic guitar fingerpicking performance that blends melody, rhythm, and percussion. Foot tapping bluegrass, impactful melodies, mixed with old fashioned country thumbpicking. Henry Ferland Friday 4/24/2026 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 2130 120 Sudbury (Hotel West) TB Learning to Learn by Ear Reluctant and perplexed? "If they just gave sheet music, I could play along right away!" Maybe. Let’s explore ideas, playful approaches, and exercises, moving joyously together toward learning by ear. Kathryn Barnhardt Friday 4/24/2026 9:30 PM 10:20 PM 2130 50 Trade Center West DS Get in the Groove Contras Groovy contras with good flow, connection, and balance. Groovy good times! Dereck Kalish, Kingfisher Friday 4/24/2026 10:00 PM 11:30 PM 2200 90 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DX Elevated Connection: Advanced ECD A variety of dances to enhance our sensibilities and bring us collectively to a dancer’s high! Exceptional ECD for experienced and attentive dancers with challenging figures taught succinctly to exquisite music. Anna Rain, Pandora Friday 4/24/2026 10:00 PM 11:30 PM 2200 90 Duchess (Hotel East) GS Bretagne Jam (Music from Brittany) We'll play dance tunes from Bretagne including Hanter Dro, Andro, Laridee, Ridee, Gavottes, Avant Deux, and more. Notation will be provided for most tunes, learning by ear is encouraged. Fabien Goulay, Lisa Tamres Friday 4/24/2026 10:00 PM 10:50 PM 2200 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) TB Flat-footing Percussive Waltz (couples) This class teaches the basic waltz step along with simple percussive steps based on natural motions that can be added while dancing with your partner. T. Paul Anderegg, Rebecca Stout Friday 4/24/2026 10:00 PM 10:50 PM 2200 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Funky Celtic Razzle-dazzle A mixture of slightly skewed original songs and rockin’ arrangements of jigs, reels, and other melodies from the British Isles and beyond. einstein's little homunculus Friday 4/24/2026 10:00 PM 10:50 PM 2200 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GS Liz Carroll Tunes Jam Slow to moderate tempos. Possibly faster, if we feel like it. Amy Larkin Friday 4/24/2026 10:00 PM 10:50 PM 2200 50 Westborough (Hotel West) TB Love Is Little: Shaker Chants, Hymns, and Ballads The celibate, communal United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing are famed not only for their furniture, but for their often boisterous religious services. Sing and dance along with Boston Area Shaker Study Group member E. J. Barnes. Lyric sheets provided. EJ Barnes Friday 4/24/2026 10:15 PM 11:30 PM 2215 75 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NS Rambunctious Romanian Join an all-Romanian dance party with music by the Romaniacs: accordion (Melinda Fields), bass (Mel Fitzhugh), caval and flute (Lucy Vandevegte), cimbal (Aubrey Jaffer), violin (Ralph Iverson) Romaniacs Friday 4/24/2026 10:30 PM 11:30 PM 2230 60 Southborough (Hotel West) E Songs of Joy and Inspiration Original, uplifting songs of substance (and fun!), with bass guitar accompaniment. Group participation will be enthusiastically encouraged! Denise Gendron Friday 4/24/2026 10:30 PM 11:30 PM 2230 60 Trade Center West DS Counting Contra Stars Contras featuring smooth and unique transitions into and out of stars. Elijah Jaime, The Mad Katters Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) TS Balkan Dances to Beautiful Balkan Voices Lovely dances done to exquisite Balkan music (much of which is a Capella) which just takes your breath away. Sue Rose, Krasivi Perli Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) TB Intro to English Country Dance Learn the basic steps and figures of English Country Dance while dancing to beautiful music. Val Medve, The Uraniums Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GS Slow Jam: Traditional New England Dance Tunes Participants will play traditional New England dance tunes at a slow speed. All instruments welcome. Jennifer McHone Villalobos Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Intro to Contra Learn the basics or try a role you haven't danced before. Beginners and experienced dancers are all welcome! Sue Gola, Joy Factor Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Princess (Hotel East) DF Family Dance Dance with your family and mine! Try simple circle, longways set, and mixer dances. All dances will be taught in a kid-friendly manner and we will dance to a multigenerational family band. Valerie Thomforde, Dandelion Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Muddy River Morris, WhistlePig Morris Dancers Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Balkan Song Will he marry her or just hang out at the tavern. Will the village make a banquet for the desperados? Come find out ... Gogofski Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GS Tunes from Two Notable Women Fiddlers We will play and teach fun tunes ('Dots' provided) from two notable women fiddlers of the early 20th C who deserve to be better known. Sarah Armstrong's repertoire was recorded in PA by Sam Bayard. Viola Ruth was an AZ tune collector, dance fiddler and caller nationally famous in the 1940s. Berlin Jam Friends Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) TB Breathwork Techniques for Vocal Health Breathwork is an important tool for reducing tension. We'll focus on using breath to free the natural voice, good for anyone who would like to use their voice with greater ease. Sarah Godwin Murdoch Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Trade Center Tent E Music of Scotland and Cape Breton We will play arrangements of traditional music from Scotland and Cape Breton with a big fiddle sound. Our group includes fiddles, flutes, whistle, guitars, mandolins, accordions, cellos and piano. Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Trade Center West NS Zwiefachers - E Z to Hard Z’s Zwiefachers are a type of couple folk dance from southern Germany. Each zwiefacher has two rhythms that alternate during the tune. The dancing typically consists of waltzing and pivoting footwork. Ret Turner, The Mother Zwiefacher Orchestra Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GB Beginner/Intermediate Bluegrass Jam Come join a beginner-friendly jam. We'll sing and play some bluegrass favorites at a stress-free pace. All are welcome! Jay Johnson Saturday 4/25/2026 10:30 AM 11:20 AM 1030 50 Southborough (Hotel West) GS Old Time Jam in A Tune your fiddles to cross-A (AEAE) and come ready to get into the zone with a selection of A tunes sure to make you want to keep playing all day and night. Banjos, guitars, and other string instruments are welcome. Long Lost String Band Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) DS Dances from Far-Flung Places Come join in dances that express the heart and soul of cultures usually underrepresented in international folk dance circles. We’ll teach dances from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, South America and more—dances of joy, sorrow, everyday life, and fun! Patricia Williams, Karen Havens Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Contra Chestnuts Travel back in time and experience the dances that gave birth to modern contras. David Millstone, Sugar River Band Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GB Silly Rounds Group participation of singing Rounds The Rounds Galore & More Singers Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Introduction to International Dance Learn the basics of Balkan and other international folk dance styles. Enjoy efficient, cheerful teaching and fabulous live music! Marcie Van Cleave, Shining Moon Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Princess (Hotel East) DF Family Scottish Country Dancing SCD is a fun, social, energetic style of group dancing. All ages and abilities welcome for this introductory session. Karen Sollins, Terry Traub, Malka Pomerantz Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Ring O' Bells Morris, No Apologies Rapper, Marlboro Minnies Morris & Sword Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Seminar (Hotel East) P Camp Woodland: Unusual Community Camp Woodland was a progressive summer camp, well-known for collecting and preserving the folk music of New York’s Catskill Mountains. In this multi-media presentation, former campers tell the story of Camp Woodland through its people, songs and stories. Pat Lamanna, Bill Horne Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GB Songs Not In English Cantare! Chantez-y! Seinn-o! Zingen! Music is the common tongue, and the human voice is an instrument of this lingua franca. Bring your most obscure songs not in English, and we will see how many languages we can fit in a NEFFA hour (that's 50 minutes!). Lynn Noel Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GB Lilting Jam - Singing the Tunes Do you like instrumental music but really want to sing it on nonsense syllables? Always wanted to use your voice like a fiddle? Come sing with us - we invite you to have a tune in mind that you'd like to teach. Beginners welcome. Becca Mandel, Amanda Witman Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Trade Center Tent GS Norumbega Harmony Tunebook Singing Join us for singing old and new shape-note music from our tunebook, "The Norumbega Harmony." Norumbega Harmony Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Trade Center West DS Festive Yet Tasteful ECD A stylish blend of English country dances: from elegant to energetic, flowing to frolicking, playful to peaceful, and always festive! Joanna Reiner Wilkinson, Mulberry Garden Saturday 4/25/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Westborough (Hotel West) E Georgian Song Concert Georgian songs are both ancient and contemporary. Our children's group performs songs significant to Georgian families. The Dancing Crane Georgian Cultural Center presents a concert of Georgian songs by the Iberia Children's Song Group led by Eka Chichua. Iberia Georgian Children's Group Saturday 4/25/2026 11:30 AM 12:20 PM 1130 50 Southborough (Hotel West) TS Old Time Crooked Tune Workshop Let's spend an hour exploring tunes that have that extra skip or hop that makes them crooked. We'll break down what makes them tick and learn how to groove on them. Jay Johnson Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NS Folk Dances beginning with "R" International folk dances with live music on accordion and percussion. John & Dottie Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS The Joy of Sets ECD Rather than “longways for as many as will,” we'll enjoy English country dances choreographed for 2, 3, or 4 couple sets. David Millstone, The Scolding Chipmunks Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Duchess (Hotel East) TS Learn Breton Tunes Join Bagad New York for a learning/jam session about playing Breton tunes. No previous experience of Breton music is necessary. We will share sheet music and instruction for several different types of dance tunes from Bretagne, France. Instruments in Bflat, G, or A will be best for playing together. Bagad New York Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) TB Wonderful One-Figure Balkan Dances Come learn some wonderful Balkan dances done to fabulous live music! These will be village-style dances—repetitive, so you can get in a groove, but not boring. Some of them have tricky rhythms and patterns, but they should be fairly accessible, even to novice dancers. Janet Yeracaris, Zdravets Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:20 PM 1200 20 Princess (Hotel East) (set chairs) Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Still River Sword, Hart's Brook Garland, Jack in the Green Morris Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Seminar (Hotel East) P Whaling and Sailing in 19th C Song An overview of whaling through song and image during the 19th C. in New England and New York. Chris Koldewey Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:20 PM 1200 20 Sterling (Hotel West) (set chairs) Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GS Ukulele Off The Page Have you been an ukulele player who is always asking, "Where's the songsheet?" This is your chance to get off the page! There will be no handouts, and this will help players practice hearing chord changes and playing along. Ken Mattsson Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Trade Center Tent TB Intro to Hand Drumming Workshop This workshop introduces hand drumming basics, including technique for common drums, rhythmic patterns, and ensemble playing. No experience is necessary; bring a drum or borrow one of ours. All ages are welcome, though young people require adult supervision. Join us to find your sound and play together as a group. Dave Curry Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Trade Center West DS Contras I Wish I Had Written Great contra dances written by great choreographers (and maybe one by me). Steve Zakon-Anderson, Festival Orchestra Saturday 4/25/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF Camp Songs Campy, Singing, all the hits from your childhood. Come share a song or sing and dance along. Kid friendly! Heidi Slaney, Jess Accetta Saturday 4/25/2026 12:30 PM 1:20 PM 1230 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Yiddish Songs of Immigration At the beginning of the last century, millions of Yiddish-speaking immigrants arrived in “the Golden Land”. We’ll present songs that celebrate the triumphs (and sometimes rue) of becoming Americans. Khrain! [Horseradish!] Saturday 4/25/2026 12:30 PM 1:20 PM 1230 50 Southborough (Hotel West) E Ballads: Stories Told and Sung A highly entertaining session of songs, stories, instrumentals, and humor. Mike Agranoff Saturday 4/25/2026 12:30 PM 1:20 PM 1230 50 Sterling (Hotel West) DF Community Dance Come enjoy dancing as a community! All ages welcome, all dances taught, no prior experience required. Jennifer McHone Villalobos, Dogtown Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) DS Jane Austen's Squares Jane Austen was snooty about how the squares of her youth (cotillions) were better than the newfangled squares (quadrilles) of the early 19th century. Learn to dance the steps and figures of squares just like a young Jane! Steps will be energetic (hops and skips)! Susan de Guardiola, The Mad Katters Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 2:20 PM 1300 80 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) NS Bulgarian Village Dances Enjoy traditional Bulgarian line dances done to the vibrant singing of the "wild women" chorus Divi Zheni. Easy to pick up if new to you and fun to dance to the live energetic music. Divi Zheni, Zornitsa Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Duchess (Hotel East) E Masters of Darkness and Delight. Popular music and song from the Renaissance to today with voices, lutes, viola da gamba, violin, and mandolin. Renaissance Jukebox Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) TB Intro to Casino Rueda Casino Rueda is a called partner dance akin to a circle mixer, that originated in 1950's Cuba. Danced to salsa or timba music, Rueda is spirited, yet laid back and fun, and features frequent and creative partner changes. Lauren Ingram Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Renegade Morris, Pokingbrook Morris, Firebird Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Re-Imagining Folk Song Nostalgia One of us grew up with the "Fireside Book of Folk Songs" on the family piano. The other grew up folk dancing and playing tunes. We will feature some of the favorites from "Fireside" as well as songs/tunes that give us that sense of nostalgia, re-imagined in surprising ways. HeartSoulVoice Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GS Uke Jam You can play a song, or sing along/listen to a song played on the ukulele. You can also play along, we'll tell you the chords, but songs will not be taught. This is a jam. All ukulele players are welcome. Uke Jammers Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Trade Center Tent GB Open Drum Circle Jam This open drum circle jam welcomes all ages and skill levels to create rhythms together in a casual environment. Bring your own drum or percussion instrument, or borrow one of our extras. Other instruments are also welcome to join the jam. Adult supervision is required for younger participants. Dave Curry Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 2:20 PM 1300 80 Trade Center West DB Rising Contra Callers of the Mid Atlantic This session showcases six of the best rising callers from Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia: Rebecca Anger, Alex Burka, Karen, Justin, Justin Kauker, Stephan Rochefort, and Luke Schoppert. Midatlantic Callers, Dave Langford & The Second Floor Saturday 4/25/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF Folk Song Singalong We offer sets with classic, singalong folk covers. Howie Rashba, Mel Green Saturday 4/25/2026 1:30 PM 2:20 PM 1330 50 Princess (Hotel East) GS Waltz Melodies Jam Join "Three Quarter Time" an acoustic folk instrumental group playing Traditional 3/4-Time Folk Waltz Melodies. This "Open-to-all-Instruments-and-Levels" jam has been a NEFFA tradition since 2001. Play by ear or use music notation that you bring with you. Dancers and listeners are welcome. Three Quarter Time Saturday 4/25/2026 1:30 PM 2:20 PM 1330 50 Southborough (Hotel West) TB How to Play the Irish Bodhran Introduction to Irish Bodhran; a demonstration of handling technique. Explore Irish music rhythms. We'll consider seisún (session) etiquette, play some tunes (with Dave Miller on fiddle), explore ornamentation. Bring a bodhran. Jeanne Hansberry, Dave Miller Saturday 4/25/2026 1:30 PM 2:20 PM 1330 50 Sterling (Hotel West) DF Learn to Dance the Hornpipe We will teach a simple version of the hornpipe dance with live accompaniment and talk a little about the history of the dance in seafaring traditions and popular culture. All levels, ages appropriate. Yves Corbiere, A.J. Wright Saturday 4/25/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) TB Beaucoup de Bourrées Bourrées are traditional dances from Central France, and are very popular on the contemporary Balfolk dance floor. We’ll dance several bourrées in different configurations and time signatures (2-time and 3-time). Lynn Baumeister & Lisa Tamres, Box and String Trio Saturday 4/25/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GB Renaissance Music Jam Structured jam session for Renaissance music—English and French dance tunes, polyphonic vocal and instrumental pieces, and whatever else tickles our fancy! All instruments (and voices) and skill levels welcome. The Mad Katters Saturday 4/25/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) TF Longsword Dancing For All Longsword is an English tradition dating back to 1600’s. This will be a fun workshop for ages 5 and up, learning how to dance together and make sword locks. Kappy Laning, Alex Cumming Saturday 4/25/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Juggler Meadow Morris Men, Johnny Jump Ups, Hop Brook Morris Saturday 4/25/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Seminar (Hotel East) P Creative Arranging for Acoustic Guitar Innovative interpretations for arranging traditional music; turn pop tunes into folk songs; break away from first position chords with easy, inventive figures up and down the neck; alternative tunings; loosen up your playing through syncopation and musical phrasing. Focus is on fingerpicking but technics are adaptable to flat pickers. Richard Gehrts Saturday 4/25/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GS Mostly Swedish Jam We will be hosting a jam of our favorite Swedish tunes. We will supply sheet music for those who are new to the tunes. SAC Spelmanslag Saturday 4/25/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Trade Center Tent GB CT Sea Music Festival Chantey Sing Join in the fun of singing sea chanteys! All are welcome to listen, sing along with, and/or lead a song. Easy choruses, high energy, nautical spirit! Connecticut Sea Music Festival Singers Saturday 4/25/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF Japanese Children’s Songs Join in on the fun as you peek into childhood in Japan. Listen to the folk tales that give the songs context, play some games, and sing along. No knowledge of Japanese necessary. Takako Nagumo Saturday 4/25/2026 2:30 PM 3:20 PM 1430 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Classic NEFFA Squares We'll dance some of our longtime favorite squares, channeling Tony Parkes, Ted Sannella, and others. The session will include a warm-up for Sunday's Merry-Go-Round. Jeremy Korr, Roundtuit Saturday 4/25/2026 2:30 PM 3:20 PM 1430 50 Princess (Hotel East) TS Rehearsal for The English Country Dance Open Band This is an opportunity to prepare for the repertoire we'll use in the Saturday evening ECD session with music by the Open Band. Vince O'Donnell, Carol Compton Saturday 4/25/2026 2:30 PM 3:20 PM 1430 50 Southborough (Hotel West) C Better Dancing is More Fun! How do people absorb good dance skills? Who are your community’s dance models? What strategies can improve dancing in groups of different ages, experience levels, and physical abilities? Join us for lively conversation about success stories, best practices, and strategies to help your group thrive. Scott Higgs, Jenny Beer Saturday 4/25/2026 2:30 PM 2:50 PM 1430 20 Sterling (Hotel West) (set chairs) Saturday 4/25/2026 2:30 PM 4:05 PM 1430 95 Trade Center West E Dance Performance Iskwelahang Pilipino; Mladost Folk Ensemble; Neha Kumar; Wayside Inn Steppers; Krakowiak Polish Dancers of Boston, Inc.; Taara Banerjee; Chinese Folk Art Workshop; Dance for Joy Dance Troupe; Priya Bangal; Legends Georgian Dance Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) DB Old Time Couple Dancing These dances are easy to learn, and fun to dance. Some examples are The Teton Mountain Stomp, The Boston Two Step, St. Barnard's Waltz, and the ever popular Salty Dog Rag. No need to bring a partner. Brad Sayler, Diane Gonzales, Patrick Yacono & Friends Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GS Modern Contra Tunes Slow Jam Slow jam session for some of the many wonderfully danceable tunes composed during the first quarter century of our young millennium and having the potential to define a next generation of classics. Steve Bittenson, Len Bittenson Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) TB Simcha! Yiddish Dance for Joy Join in traditional Yiddish dances such as the Freilach, Bulgar, Hora, and Khosidl - follow the leader, improvise, and dance in circles, lines, pairs, and individually - to live klezmer music. Yaron Shragai, Klezmer Standard Time Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Marlboro Morris M, Handsome Molly, Great Meadows Morris and Sword Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Traditional Songs and Irish Fiddle Tunes We will be singing traditional Irish Songs, American Ballads, and playing Irish fiddle tunes on the fiddle and flute. Bob & Jen Strom with Cindy McIntire Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Sterling (Hotel West) TS Intro to Teaching Folk Dance Discussion and practical application of international folk dance teaching techniques; sharing of resources, working with mentors and mentees. National Folk Organization Mentoring Project Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GS Nyckelharpa Jam Help us celebrate World Nyckelharpa Day (Sun, 4/26/26) by playing or requesting some of your favorite nyckelharpa tunes. lydia ievins Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Trade Center Tent GS Balkan Kefana Sing-along Come sing along (or just enjoy listening) to "old citysongs" and/or dance songs from Macedonia and surrounding areas, evoking the pleasure ("kef") of singing with old friends around the table at a celebration, or in the village tavern or coffeehouse. Balkan Kefana Saturday 4/25/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF Nautical Critter Songs I'll be leading songs about pirate cats, rodent mariners, and other nautical critters. The audience can join in on the refrain or chorus. Charlie Ipcar Saturday 4/25/2026 3:30 PM 4:20 PM 1530 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Favorite Contras and ECD English country dances and contras that you love. The English dances will be called positionally; no role or gender terms used. Sue Rosen, Half & Half Saturday 4/25/2026 3:30 PM 4:20 PM 1530 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Hammered Dulcimer Potpourri Hammered Dulcimer Potpourri - where we will perform a couple tunes together and each share a tune or song with an explanation of why it feels special. The group is made up of 4-6 experienced HD players and will share various styles of playing. Hammered Dulcimer Consortium Saturday 4/25/2026 3:30 PM 4:20 PM 1530 50 Southborough (Hotel West) GF Leanbh: A Child in Ireland Leanbh (‘LYANuv’) is Irish for ‘child.’ Come share children’s songs, singing games, lullabies from Ireland. Janet Buck Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) TX Dances in "Challenging Times" Beautiful music and dances from the Balkans and beyond in unusual meters! Jeanne Clifford, Rakiya Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GS Rocking Old-Time Jam Bring your string instruments and tunes and get ready to lock in, bust down and have a blast jamming! The Dead Sea Squirrels Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Scottish Country Dancing for Beginners Scottish country dancing is a fun activity enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds in Scotland and across the world. If you haven't done it before, come and give it a try. We will teach a few fun dances to help you get started! Flights of Fancy Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Mystic Valley Morris, Ladies of the Rolling Pin, On The Border Morris Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Global Tapestry of Middle Eastern, Jazz, & World Traditions The Klemer Trio features clarinet, harp, and double bass, blending world traditions with Middle Eastern melodies and jazz. Formed at Berklee College of Music, they weave personal and cultural stories in themes of resilience and hope amid conflict. They connect audiences across cultures through their unique, improvisational sound. Klemer Trio Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Sterling (Hotel West) DB Seated Square Dance Seated square dancing is just like traditional square dancing, except you are sitting down. Great fun for everyone, but may be particularly appealing to people with mobility issues. Fred Wersan, Assabet Ramblers Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GS Balfolk Jam Come share your favorite Balfolk tunes. Box and String Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Trade Center Tent GS Songs with Boisterous Shouting!! It’s what it says on the tin. Come sing all the best boisterous songs with us at full tilt! Claps, stomps, shouts, callbacks, and overflowing JOY!! Bring a rousing song to share and raise the rafters with us! Red Kovatch Saturday 4/25/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GS Joyful Rounds Join us in sharing joy and harmony as we sing graceful, flowing rounds together. We’ll bring some rounds printed out and available online. Requests are also welcome. Nobscot Singers Saturday 4/25/2026 4:15 PM 4:20 PM 1615 5 Trade Center West (strike chairs) Saturday 4/25/2026 4:30 PM 5:20 PM 1630 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) NS Waltzes and Beyond Sumptuous and captivating waltzes from stages and screens, smoky clubs and symphony halls, interspersed with all the best couple dances - polkas, schottisches, tangos, and beloved "specials" like Gay Gordons, Road to the Isles -- and of course The Salty Dog Calliope Saturday 4/25/2026 4:30 PM 5:20 PM 1630 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Appalachian Country Living and Coal Mining Songs The Klines take audiences on a journey through the soul of Appalachia, but also blend in love songs and music of people in nature, evoking family memories. The Klines Saturday 4/25/2026 4:30 PM 5:20 PM 1630 50 Southborough (Hotel West) E Shantying Space Sailors at Work One day in the life of space sailors and engineers just trying to keep Hilo Station functioning, as told through traditional (ancient to us!) work songs and some shtick. Hilo Saturday 4/25/2026 4:30 PM 4:50 PM 1630 20 Trade Center West NX Saturday Contra Medley A NEFFA tradition for experienced dancers. This is a 20 minute series of no-walk through dances. It's a blast! Various Callers; Aaron Marcus, Milo Pierick, and Rebecca Weiss Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NS Greek Island Brass & Strings from Lesvos A selection of traditional Greek island dance music from the island of Lesvos featuring a brass & strings ensemble with sandouri (hammered dulcimer), violin, trumpet, helicon (tuba), and percussion. Fysera Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GS Jam Session: English Country Dance Tunes From 1651 to the present, ECD tunes delight us with their variety. Let’s play melodies from the spritely to the sumptuous. Requests welcome! If you have them: bring Barnes books and music stands to share. Four Raccoons in a Trenchcoat Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) TB Beginning Appalachian Flatfooting Learn the basic motions and steps of Flatfooting and Buck Dancing. The session is taught using the Appalachian Step Percussion Services system. Everyone will be a happy flatfooter by the end! James Keenan, The Dead Sea Squirrels Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Pickup Morris All morris dancers welcome, with or without team or kit. Pickup Morris Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Tunes of the 21st Century The Star Charters will perform modern, original compositions written by contemporary members of the folk community! The Star Charters Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Sterling (Hotel West) E Sing it with Flowers Dad/daughter Jackson and Jillian Estelle Gillman teaming up again for a 3rd annual session, offering a bouquet of songs with a flower theme this time. Jackson Gillman, JillianEstelle Gillman Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) TB How to Play the Bones Basic instruction on how to play the bones, starting with the very basics and moving up to more complicated technique. Steve Brown Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Trade Center Tent GB NEFFA Funny Song Swap Hour Funny songs, silly songs, and other songs to make you laugh. Audience participation is encouraged. Joel Landy Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Trade Center West DS Stomp and Go Contra Contra dances with emphasis and energy from balances, ricochets and changes in momentum! Charlie Turner, The Moving Violations Saturday 4/25/2026 5:00 PM 5:50 PM 1700 50 Westborough (Hotel West) E Rhyme Time! Recitations Lively original recitations by a seasoned storyteller/recitationist who has been composing and performing crowd-pleasing rhymes for nearly four decades. Bruce Marcus Saturday 4/25/2026 5:30 PM 6:20 PM 1730 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Scottish Country Dancing Fun Scottish country dance figures and great tunes Howard Lasnik, Terry Traub, Malka Pomerantz Saturday 4/25/2026 5:30 PM 6:20 PM 1730 50 Princess (Hotel East) GB Best Current Protest Songs For these fractious times, what's your most relevant and inspiring song that's also so singable, it will get a crowd of strangers singing along? Jeff Keller Saturday 4/25/2026 5:30 PM 6:20 PM 1730 50 Southborough (Hotel West) TS Arranging Vocal Harmony We’ll break apart a few harmony arrangements and turn the floor over to you for some low-stakes harmony practice. Bring a song or just practice harmonizing with the room. The Ranzo Boys Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) TB Class in Traditional Georgian Dance We will lead a class in Georgian dancing, based on the traditional techniques seen in Georgian Dance Performances. Our instructors are professional Georgian dancers who lead our Legends Ensemble. Legends Georgian Dance Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GB Contradance Music of the Pioneer Valley A participatory jam led by Roundtuit (Rebecca Weiss and Charlie Pilzer) featuring tunes written in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Roundtuit Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Kentucky Mountain Square Dancing Fun for all ages! These traditional figures were described by Patrick Napier in his book Kentucky Mountain Square Dancing, 1975. No fancy footwork required, but lots of spinning! Tim Lamm, The Dixie Butterhounds Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 11:30 PM 1800 330 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Tunes & Songs, Winds & Strings, Nods & Smiles Duo playing wide variety of Irish, Scottish, English Country Dance, Klezmer, Scandinavian, Brazilian Choro, Balkan, American/old-timey, contradance -- even the odd excursion into funk/soul. Bouzouki & The Beast Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Sterling (Hotel West) E New Songs, Old Forms Open session for singer/songwriters in the round for each to play a few songs Songwriters in the Round Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) TS Shetland Fiddle Workshop This workshop will introduce players to one or two Shetland tunes. We’ll learn by ear and focus on the basics of Shetland bowing patterns and left hand ornamentation. Open to all string players, but particularly fiddlers and cellists. Becky Miller Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Trade Center Tent NS Balkan Brass Dance Party Come listen to brass band music from Serbia, Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Whether you want to join the circle dance or just move to the rhythm, this event will be groovin' Conical Cacophony Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Trade Center West DS Switch It Up Contras Contra dances that feature interesting opportunities for switching roles with your partner. (Switching roles is 100 percent optional!) Hannah Johlas, Here on the Hill Saturday 4/25/2026 6:00 PM 6:50 PM 1800 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GB Chanteys and Shenanigans Crowd participation of folk music and sea chanteys. Come sing along or sing a chantey of your own, no experience necessary. Propper Debauchery Saturday 4/25/2026 6:30 PM 7:20 PM 1830 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Zesty Playford ECD Lively English Country Dances from around 1650-1750, with a strong sense of connection and fun. Bring your enthusiasm and stamina - be prepared to dance, and get silly! Charlie Turner, The Turn Signals Saturday 4/25/2026 6:30 PM 7:20 PM 1830 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Teasing the Cat in Ragtime Popular dance music and songs of the ragtime era (1890's - 1920's), played by a ragtime orchestra. Turkey Hill Ragtime Orchestra Saturday 4/25/2026 6:30 PM 7:20 PM 1830 50 Southborough (Hotel West) E Contemporary Harp Harp and vocal folk music performance. Stephanie Babirak Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NX Balkan Dance cocekberancheusestdevtorka and more Gogofski Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GS Contra Dance Musicians Slow Jam The New Haven Jammers will run a slow jam. Tunes are preselected and music is passed out. Beginning musician friendly. Emphasis is on learning tunes and playing slowly. The New Haven Jammers Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Intro to Colonial Dance The dances of the American colonial period lay the foundation for our dancing today. Come learn how contradances used to be done, with some of the period steps and styling. Jacob Bloom, Nancy Bloom, The Colonial Minstrels Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Songs Related to the Atlantic Harbortown sings songs with stories that revolve around the Atlantic Ocean including songs from Bob Wright's illustrated book Ginger Sea 'Neath The Celtic Moon. Harbortown Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Sterling (Hotel West) TS Strong Sound Workshop Learn to sing with a loud, clear voice without harming your throat. Improve your range and increase your vocal stamina. Centered breathing and vocal technique enables you to sing for hours without pain. Anabel Graetz Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GS Work Songs Sing, share, listen-- work songs, songs about workers... let's include as many kinds of work as we can manage. Serious, comical, whatever. The Smith Family Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Trade Center Tent E Queer Maritime Music In historical record and the modern community, queerness is threaded through sea songs from Sweet Mary Starbuck to the Handsome Cabin Boy. Learn about sailors, singers, and the queer sea. The Ranzo Boys Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Trade Center West DS Contras with Rum & Onions A collection of American-style contra dances by choreographers from Canada, Europe, and Australia. Greg Frock, Rum & Onions Saturday 4/25/2026 7:00 PM 7:50 PM 1900 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF Lullaby and Goodnight We will dim the lights, make room for lying down on the floor and for prams and carriers as we sing quiet gentle songs and lullabies to help children and grownups unwind, relax and get ready for sleep after a busy day. Kim Wallach Saturday 4/25/2026 7:30 PM 8:20 PM 1930 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS ECD Favorites Come dance some ECD classics! ECD musicians are welcome to sit in with the Open Band (and can practice the tunes earlier at xxx in xxx. Jenny Beer, The English Country Dance Open Band Saturday 4/25/2026 7:30 PM 8:20 PM 1930 50 Princess (Hotel East) GS Klezmer Jam Session Klezmer jam session Klezmer Jam Band Saturday 4/25/2026 7:30 PM 8:20 PM 1930 50 Southborough (Hotel West) E Songs of the Eastern Slavs The Grunya ensemble will perform a program of authentic East Slavic village music from various regions of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Lemko-Rusyn region in southeastern Poland. The songs represent a variety of traditional genres and some feature accompaniment on traditional instruments. Grunya Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NS Dance by Moonlight! Dance to some of our favorite tunes, from the Balkans and beyond. Shining Moon Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Duchess (Hotel East) TB Introduction to Balkan Scales Get these scales in your fingers, and difficult tunes become easy. We'll start with an easy tune, and look at the scale and related scales. All instruments. Paper music in all keys. David Golber Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 9:05 PM 2000 65 Marlborough (Hotel West) TS Intro to Swedish Polska Come explore the interplay of follow and lead in Swedish couple turning dances, with our main focus on the Swedish polska and its 3/4-time pulse. Work on your balance, the challenges of weight change, and the essential concept we call svikt. Perfect your pivots! Tom Roby, Laura Stern, lydia ievins Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Vocal Couple Dancing Come and plan to lift your voices! As Power Harmonies, Lynn Noel and Ken Mattsson sing with depth, power, and passionate attention to the spirit in the song. Their duo sound can be described as "ballroom dancing for the voice." Power Harmonies Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Sterling (Hotel West) E Cape Breton Tunes & Gaelic Songs Scottish traditional music from Cape Breton Island featuring lively sets of strathspeys, jigs and reels played on fiddle, small pipes and piano, as well as songs sung in Gaelic. Matt, Terry & Laura Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GS Well, That Didn't End Well - Tragic Trad Ballads If you have a tragic traditional ballad, bring it! We will be sharing the sad and tragic story songs of long ago that still haunt us today. Expect adult themes, bloodshed, death, and things that don't go well. Lynn Feingold Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 9:50 PM 2000 110 Trade Center Tent GB Pub Sing with Jack In The Green Pub style sing, bring a song with a chorus! Led by members of Jack in the Green Morris Jack in the Green Morris Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Trade Center West DS Eye Love Contra Contras featuring fun moments to connect via non-physical connection and eye contact with other dancers. Qwill Duvall, Grace Hendrickson-Jones & Cojiro Saturday 4/25/2026 8:00 PM 8:50 PM 2000 50 Westborough (Hotel West) TS Exploring the Travis Pick Bring your favorite git fiddle. Learn the basics of the Travis pick and insights into expanding its use in your performance. David Newey Saturday 4/25/2026 8:30 PM 9:20 PM 2030 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Bagad New York Plays Breton Dances Come dance Breton line dances with Bagad New York! The only Breton bagpipe/bombarde ensemble in North America, Bagad New York is dedicated to promoting Breton culture through performance of Breton dance music including the Gavotte Montagne, An Dro, Hanter Dro, and more! Bagad New York Saturday 4/25/2026 8:30 PM 9:20 PM 2030 50 Princess (Hotel East) GB SCD Musician Tune Jam We will play standard Scottish Country Dance tunes (jigs, reels, hornpipes, marches, and strathspeys) in sets suitable for dancing. We aim to play at a moderate tempo and maybe discuss some concerns unique to SCD music. Sheet music will be available; the emphasis will be on playing tunes. Alias Saturday 4/25/2026 8:30 PM 9:20 PM 2030 50 Southborough (Hotel West) E More Songs from All Over A concert of folk songs from Eastern and Western Europe, Great Britain, Middle East, and the Americas. The All Girl Band Saturday 4/25/2026 9:00 PM 10:20 PM 2100 80 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) DB Fusion Dance Fusion is a partner dance trend done to a variety of music that borrows elements from many forms (blues, contact improv, ecstatic, swing, tango, etc.) and spans several aesthetics. Lesson at the beginning. Boston Fusion Dance Community Saturday 4/25/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Duchess (Hotel East) TS Learn an Easy Cajun Two-Step or Waltz Tune Cajun tunes are sprightly, haunting and sometimes quirky, but always engaging and fun. Cathy will teach a popular 2-Step or waltz, starting with the basic tune and adding additional layers of ornaments and rhythmic variations to give it that irresistible Cajun swing. Cathy Mason Saturday 4/25/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Seminar (Hotel East) GB The Life and Music of Pete Seeger Celebrate Pete Seeger through hearing stories about his life and singing along to songs he popularized or wrote himself. Green Mountain Radish Revival Saturday 4/25/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GS J’Amuse! A Tom Lehrer Singalong In honor of the late Tom Lehrer, let’s get together and sing some of our favorite Tom Lehrer songs. Robert Penny, Marnen Laibow-Koser Saturday 4/25/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GB Lost in Ireland: Irish Songs of Place Irish song tradition is strongly linked to place; come share songs of villages, mountains, cities and shores. Janet Buck Saturday 4/25/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Trade Center West DS Flowing Contras Contra dances that have a good story line and flow between the figures. Donna Hunt; Sidman, Walters, & Eid-Reiner Saturday 4/25/2026 9:00 PM 9:50 PM 2100 50 Westborough (Hotel West) C The Return of Gigs From Hell Resuming Dan Pearl's longtime series! Come share your caller and musician gig horror stories with sympathetic listeners. We'll award a prize and bragging rights to the finest story, but remember: all stories must be true! Gawkers welcome. Jeremy Korr Saturday 4/25/2026 9:15 PM 10:05 PM 2115 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) NX Mostly Gammaldans We will play a lively selection of our favorite hambos, schottisches, snoas, waltzes, and polkas for dancing. SAC Spelmanslag Saturday 4/25/2026 9:30 PM 10:20 PM 2130 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) NX International Dance Favorites Balkan and International line dances for all Pinewoods Band Saturday 4/25/2026 9:30 PM 10:20 PM 2130 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Music of the Menaht Enjoy folk songs from different regions of the Middle East, Levant, North Africa, Andalusia, Turkey, and Greece by Meraki Caravan ensemble, with special featured guest Fateh Azzam, our amazing Lebanese oud player. Experience the magic of raqs sharqi (belly dance). Meraki Caravan Saturday 4/25/2026 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 2130 120 Southborough (Hotel West) E Tis Music, Methinks! Rogues, Maidens, and Swains: madrigals and more that trace the arc of a relationship—from first spark to dying ember - and the myriad emotional turns along the journey of love. Octavo Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 PM 10:50 PM 2200 50 Duchess (Hotel East) TS English Folk Tunes A relaxing space in which to learn a few English folk tunes from across the centuries. Everyone welcome! Tim Cunningham Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 PM 10:50 PM 2200 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GS D is the Key - Old Time Jam There are so many great D tunes so it’ll be easy to spend our time together in this key. Fiddles come tuned ADAE for best results. All stringed instruments welcome. Bring a tune you can lead or follow along as we jam away. Long Lost String Band Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 PM 10:50 PM 2200 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) E In Bloom A concert of English folk tunes and songs Cecily Mills, Abraham Joyner-Meyers Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 PM 10:05 PM 2200 5 Trade Center West NX Stream of Contraness Non-stop, no walkthrough, continuously changing contra dance medley! Michael Karcher, Torrent Saturday 4/25/2026 10:00 PM 10:50 PM 2200 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GB Atlantic Canada Campfire There's nothing like singing around a campfire in Newfoundland or the Maritimes, and here's your chance for a chinwag and a mug-up. We'll have English, French, Gaelic, and some cracking tunes, so bring your fiddles and strings for a Downeast celiidh jam! No, we won't make you kiss a codfish. Lynn Noel Saturday 4/25/2026 10:15 PM 11:30 PM 2215 75 Marlborough (Hotel West) NS Jug Band Blues and Swing Dance Come dance your heart out to Outrageous Fortune's rootsy jug band stylings of classic '20s and '30s blues and jazz. Stationary listeners are also welcome! Outrageous Fortune Saturday 4/25/2026 10:15 PM 11:30 PM 2215 75 Trade Center West DS Contra Party! Lively contras for dancers (new and old) who just can't get enough! Michael Karcher, Torrent Saturday 4/25/2026 10:30 PM 11:30 PM 2230 60 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) DS Smooth Moves English Dancing English dances with good flow, great music, and minimal teaching. Let's dance! Dereck Kalish, Linda Nelson, Hidden River Saturday 4/25/2026 10:30 PM 11:30 PM 2230 60 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) NS Balkan & International Dance Balkan and International dancing with music by Sladka. Sladka Saturday 4/25/2026 10:30 PM 11:30 PM 2230 60 Princess (Hotel East) E Pirate Sea Shanty Singalong Raise the black flag and rouse your inner pirate in song with the pirate band, Shank Painters! Featuring sea shanties, drinking songs, traditional Irish songs, and originals. Participation encouraged. Shank Painters Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NS Israeli Oldies Dance Party Come dance Israeli dances from 1948-1989 Andrea Gwosdow, Israeli Oldies Dance Band Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Sunday Morning Contras Come warm up for your Festival Sunday with some fun, easy contra dances. Sue Gola, High Strung Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GB Irish Slow Session Traditional Irish tunes at slow and moderate tempos, playing by ear (the traditional way), starting with more common session tunes. Tunes include jigs, reels, waltzes, hornpipes, polkas, slip jigs, and more. Tabbies' Delight Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) TB Intro to Quebecois Step Dancing An introduction to the basics of French Canadian step dancing (la gigue). Cindy Larock & Friends Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Princess (Hotel East) DF Family International Dance International dances for all ages; family-friendly Andy Taylor, Matt Burke Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Scandinavian Folk A Cappella A variety of ancient, traditional, and contemporary folk songs from Scandinavian and other northern cultures, some in their original languages and some in English. Northbound Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 11:20 AM 1000 80 Southborough (Hotel West) E Romanian Music Concert The Romaniacs present a concert featuring Romanian music. Romaniacs Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GS New England Tunes Slow Jam Dave will lead commonly played New England tunes at a slow tempo, then speed up a little. Attendees will be welcome to suggest tunes. Dave Miller Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Trade Center Tent GB No One Sings That Anymore, It's Too Popular Come and sing the folk songs that became so famous that they don't get sung much these days. We're talking "Sweet Betsy from Pike." I'll hand out lyric sheets and focus on chorus songs. April Grant Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Trade Center West DX Learn the ECD Medley Learn all of the dances for this year's English dance medley. Includes tips for expeditious recoveries. There's no obligation to participate in the actual medley! Joanna Reiner Wilkinson, Tom Roby, Four Raccoons in a Trenchcoat Sunday 4/26/2026 10:00 AM 10:50 AM 1000 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GB Old Time Gospel Sing Bring your voices to an Old Time Gospel Sing where we'll sing songs and hymns from the old time tradition, including songs sung by the Carter Family, EC & Orna Ball, and others. Dallal & Henry Sunday 4/26/2026 10:30 AM 11:20 AM 1030 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) TB Appalachian Songs of West Virginia We’ll share stories of the older generation Michael Kline knew in West Virginia and get everyone breathing new life into these powerful old songs, singing together! Michael & Carrie Kline Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) TB Dances from Croatia Dances from this region are primary done in lines or circles. The steps are generally easy and the dances are lots of fun. The dances taught will also be done in a separate dance party with music by Pajdashi, where there will not be any teaching. Ed Abelson, Pajdashi Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Singing Squares Traditional squares to singing calls in the style of Tony Parkes, Ralph Sweet, and other greats! Ben Sachs-Hamilton, Free Association Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GB Slow Jam: Fiddle Traditions Weaving Old and New Tunes from New England, Celtic, Scandinavian traditions on fiddles, hardanger d'Amore, piano. All instruments and abilities welcome as we play traditional tunes and more recently composed tunes in a "slow jam" to encourage learning tunes by ear. Sugar River Band Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DB Learn to Contra - Fun and Easy! New to contra dancing or need a refresher? This fun and easy instruction session will get you ready for contra dance sessions at NEFFA or your local dance. Everyone welcome! Perry Shafran, JumpStart Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Princess (Hotel East) DF Community Dance Party Lively and accessible dances for all ages including circles, longways sets and scatter mixers. Margaret Bary, Tabbies' Delight Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Charles River Rapper, Midnight Capers Morris & Sword, Mystic Garland Dancers Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Seminar (Hotel East) C NEFFA Community Survey Results Members of the NEFFA Board will present and discuss some of the results and analysis of the data from our 2024 community survey. We'll dive into issues of inclusion, diversity, and organizational culture, and we'd love to have you join us for the conversation! NEFFA Board Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Sterling (Hotel West) E Springtime Tunes - Flute, Feet, Piano Creative arrangements of tunes from Quebec, Ireland, Canada and more, plus many originals. Includes "driving" tunes and silky lyrical ones. The foot percussion strongly intensifies the rhythmic tunes. Confluence Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Trade Center Tent GS West Gallery Music Sing and play music from rural English churches, from the time of Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, and King George III. For all voices and melodic instruments. The West Gallery Quire Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:20 AM 1100 20 Trade Center West NX English Medley English country dances called in succession, no teaching! Dancers are expected to know all of the usual calls and be able to respond quickly. Teaching session available beforehand! Tom Roby, Joanna Reiner Wilkinson, Four Raccoons in a Trenchcoat Sunday 4/26/2026 11:00 AM 11:50 AM 1100 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF Family Singalong Family friendly singalong of traditional folk songs led by Green Mountain Radish Revival. GMRR is Merry Trudeau and Jason Baker. Green Mountain Radish Revival Sunday 4/26/2026 11:30 AM 12:20 PM 1130 50 Southborough (Hotel West) C How to Start a College Contra Dance I started a contra dance at Cornell in 2009. Made many mistakes, but by year 2 it was a rousing success. Took a while for it to restart post-Covid (after I graduated and left). Here's what I did right & wrong, and how you can start one at your college. Dennis Kolva Sunday 4/26/2026 11:30 AM 12:20 PM 1130 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) E Exuberant Pub Songs Two of Boston’s loudest pub singers have picked out a selection of their favorite songs, and invite you to come sing along with them! Sarah Mamlet, Neight Banks Sunday 4/26/2026 11:30 AM 11:50 AM 1130 20 Trade Center West NS Waltzing with Raccoons Whirl and swirl to waltzes of every flavor, from spicy to umami to sweet. Trenchcoats welcome but not required. Four Raccoons in a Trenchcoat Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) TB Dances of Bridgerton Easy, adorable couple sequence dances with very loose historical/traditional roots and a great circle mixer from the Bridgerton TV shows. Susan de Guardiola, The Masquerade String Trio Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS English and Contra A selection of English and Contra dances that illuminate connections and contrasts between the two forms, how they are connected by history and how they still interweave. Harris Lapiroff, Chimney Swift Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GX Scottish Session Bangers Join in an open Scottish session featuring classic reels, jigs, and strathspeys. While the tradition begins in Scotland, it has long found new life in Cape Breton, the Boston States, and greater New England’s vibrant fiddle communities. Gather, swap favorites, and experience how Scottish music thrives in the diaspora. Anna Seda Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) TB Intro to Balkan Dancing Intro to Balkan Dancing featuring live music with the NEFFArious Goats. Dance to Balkan rhythms showcasing the magnificent Gadja (Macedonian bagpipe). Sue Rose, NEFFArious Goats Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Princess (Hotel East) DF All Ages Barn Dance Easy dance sequences for dancers of any experience level. We'll get you moving to the music and smiling in no time! Don Veino, Accentricity Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Half Moon Sword, And Sometimes Y Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Seminar (Hotel East) P NEFFA Annual Meeting Vote in our annual election, and get the results at our annual meeting. This is our annual meeting, at which we will present an update on the organization and our financial status. Meet the board, and ask questions! NEFFA President Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Sterling (Hotel West) GS Argentine Tango Jam We will lead classic Argentine tangos as they are played for dancing. We will have sheet music. Orquesta Tipica Mermelada Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Trade Center Tent TB Shape Note Workshop Join us for a singing school to learn and practice shape note. This step by step approach will have you singing the rich and powerful 4-part harmonies that brought generations together and is widely popular today. No experience necessary, just enthusiasm to sing and to learn the shape note system. Glen Wright, Susan Mampre & Anayis (A.J.) Wright Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 1:05 PM 1200 65 Trade Center West E Dance Performance Boston Scottish Country Dancers; Origins Folkloric Dance Company; Gayathri Thampatty; Samburis -- Lithuanian Folk Dance Group of Boston; Country Dance Society, Boston Centre; Samskrithi; Germantown Country Dancers; Bolly Beatzz by Priya Sunday 4/26/2026 12:00 PM 12:50 PM 1200 50 Westborough (Hotel West) E (Mostly) New Topical Songs Topical songs about current issues, events and social justice - in the tradition of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. Most are new and many to sing along with. Tom Smith Sunday 4/26/2026 12:30 PM 1:20 PM 1230 50 Southborough (Hotel West) GF Songs for Hugs and Smiles Have fun singing songs that are interactive and promote hugs, kindness and joy. Learn sign language for songs! Instruments and props will be handed out! Fran Friedman Sunday 4/26/2026 12:30 PM 1:20 PM 1230 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) P Writing Contra Dances A discussion session on the writing of contra dance choreography. Chris Page Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) TB The One-Step Then and Now Come learn the dance that created the dance craze of the early twentieth century. We will start with the one-step and its many variations and then explore the foxtrot. Though originally done to ragtime music (1911-1915) we will also do these dances to music of this century. Martha Griffin Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) TX Roaring Russian Dances Regaled Enjoy exciting and challenging dances of Russia. Each dance is accompanied by the beautiful and thrilling (live!) choral music from the region. Music provided by the Bjelalitsa Chorus, directed by Julia Poirier. Murray and Randi Spiegel, Bjelalitsa Chorus Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Duchess (Hotel East) TB Adapting Short Stories to Song Form Learn how to transform short stories into compelling songs, exploring storytelling, melody, and lyrical adaptation. Rees Shad Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DF Dance the World Around We play music and lead people of all ages (2 to 102), especially those who have not danced before, in easy-to-learn American barn-dance and play party favorites: circles, longways, scattered formations, as well as international (European, Latin American, African, and Asian) folk dances. Paul Rosenberg, Tamarack Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:20 PM 1300 20 Princess (Hotel East) (set chairs) Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Millstone River Morris, Ha'Penny Morris, Harbour Steel Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Seminar (Hotel East) P Social Media & Music Marketing in 2026 Social Media and Visual Marketing have become essential for folk artists to promote their music in 2026. Serena Kilsmith will describe her use of social media and James Cooke will describe how musicians have turned to visual clips on TikTok, Instagram, and Reels to promote their music, followed by discussion. James Cooke, Serena Kilsmith Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Sterling (Hotel West) E Strange and Lovely Ballads These songs lure us into a past where we see mysterious tales unfold. A place of beauty, danger, misfortune and sometimes true love. Secret Library Band Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Trade Center Tent GS Sacred Harp Singing Join us for shape-note singing from the Sacred Harp, in the traditional "hollow square." Norumbega Harmony Sunday 4/26/2026 1:00 PM 1:50 PM 1300 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF Kids Contra Jam A jam session aimed at kids, but everyone is welcome. We will be playing easy tunes from the modern contra dance repertoire. Tunes and chords at lilywise.com/kidsjam Bring your instrument! Jeff Kaufman, Lily Wise Sunday 4/26/2026 1:15 PM 1:20 PM 1315 5 Trade Center West (strike chairs) Sunday 4/26/2026 1:30 PM 2:20 PM 1330 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Watertown's Leading Front Porch Busking Band The Watertonics perform each Sunday afternoon from their front porch in Watertown Square, offering a broad World Music repertoire ranging from Klezmer favorites to Italian Restaurant music to traditional Irish songs to New England contradance tunes (and more)- and soliciting requests from passersby at the nearby Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertonics Sunday 4/26/2026 1:30 PM 2:20 PM 1330 50 Southborough (Hotel West) GS Django Jazz Jam For instrumentalists interested in exploring the manouche jazz tradition as exemplified by the music of Django Reinhardt. Django Jazz Sunday 4/26/2026 1:30 PM 2:20 PM 1330 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GB Chorus Singalong Songs with choruses that everyone can sing along on. Evy Mayer, Allen Hopkins Sunday 4/26/2026 1:30 PM 1:50 PM 1330 20 Trade Center West NX Sunday Contra Medley A NEFFA tradition for experienced dancers. This is a 20 minute series of no-walk through dances. It's a blast! Various Callers, Live Wire Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 3:05 PM 1400 65 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) DS Balkan Joy! Inspiring pan-Balkan dance tunes by Balkan Fields. Dean Brown, electric guitar, Melinda Fields, accordion, Mel Fitzhugh, electric bass, Henry Goldberg, percussion & vocals, Melinda Hunt, vocals, Ralph Iverson, gadulka, violin, sax, viola. Balkan Fields Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) TB Cross-Step Waltz 101 Introduction to cross-step waltz, a beautiful, flowing modern waltz form with many variations that works best with slow waltz music. Susan de Guardiola, Confluence Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Duchess (Hotel East) E Brotherhood in Song Join us for rousing a cappella folk songs from both sides of the pond—tight harmonies, hearty choruses, and spirited camaraderie which celebrates the folk tradition with modern sensibilities. The Cropper Lads Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) DF Family Dance Party Family dancing for all with music provided by a multi-family band. Imogen Mills, Free Raisinettes Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Ritual Dance (Outside Trade Center) Morris for All An introduction to Cotswold Morris dancing, open to everyone from those who’ve never tried it to experts looking for an opportunity to hop into a morris set. Morris for All Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Seminar (Hotel East) P Songs of the Voyageurs Often described as the chanteymen of the rivers, the French-Canadian voyageurs left a rich trove of uniquely North American song. This illustrated presentation will explore the life of a voyageur through songs learned in the field and from newly discovered collections as well as famous paintings of the fur trade. Lynn Noel Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:35 PM 1400 35 Sterling (Hotel West) TS What's So Special About ECD Music? This workshop will explore the sweeping beauty, joy and variety of music used in English Country Dance, both traditional and contemporary. Players of all levels are welcome. Bring your Barnes Collection books! Vince O'Donnell, Jean Monroe Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Trade Center Tent GX Open Celtic Session The Groton Session Players will be hosting a Celtic session, open to all attendees to participate (Instrumental only; no singing). Tunes can include jigs, reels, mazurkas, slides, polkas, waltzes. For those who wish to prepare in advance, visit our web site thegrotonsession.com for our NEFFA set list, and downloadable/printable music. The Groton Session Players Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Trade Center West DS Jim Kitch Remembered (Contras) Jim Kitch, from Philadelphia, was a prolific writer of contra dances and some English dances. We'll present some well known and some little known dances that he wrote. Philly Callers, Ben Kennedy & Friends Sunday 4/26/2026 2:00 PM 2:50 PM 1400 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF It's All Happening at the Zoo We will share songs and stories about animals of all kinds, and play some simple circle games. Puppets, scarves and storybooks will all make an appearance. Nancy Hershatter Sunday 4/26/2026 2:30 PM 3:20 PM 1430 50 Princess (Hotel East) E Rhythm of the Rails Folk music that references trains. We encourage the audience to sing along to familiar songs. Trailmix - Uncommon Folk Sunday 4/26/2026 2:30 PM 3:20 PM 1430 50 Southborough (Hotel West) E Songs of Love & Longing Join Sarah Godwin Murdoch for a concert of traditional and trad-adjacent songs about lovers, broken promises, wishes fulfilled, and crimes of the heart. Sarah Godwin Murdoch Sunday 4/26/2026 2:30 PM 3:20 PM 1430 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) GF Strong Women & Bad Decisions: The Story Hour Folktales from around the world, about women doing the unexpected. The stories are full of humor and twists and turns, and the show is appropriate for children or adults (there's some fairytale-level violence and slight rude humor). April Grant Sunday 4/26/2026 2:45 PM 3:50 PM 1445 65 Sterling (Hotel West) GS Parlor Party - Sing and Jam Song Circle Open song circle with opportunities for everyone to lead, sing, play, or jam along - pass the songs around - bring instruments, voices, and friends to share folk music, originals, or whatever music the group chooses. My gggf and ggm were noted songwriters in their eras (1800s). The Stauffer Family Sunday 4/26/2026 3:00 PM 3:20 PM 1500 20 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) NS Beautiful Waltzes A potpourri of waltzes for your dancing and listening pleasure. Confluence Sunday 4/26/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Duchess (Hotel East) GB The Ultimate Parody Jam! Take a tune everyone knows. Write new words. Make it fun and easy to sing and share it with everybody at NEFFA. It's the Ultimate Parody Jam! Joel Landy Sunday 4/26/2026 3:00 PM 4:05 PM 1500 65 Marlborough (Hotel West) NS Swedish Couple Dancing A session of Swedish couple turning dances -- regional polskas along with hambo, schottis, waltz, and more. lydia ievins Sunday 4/26/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Jazz Americana Guitar/Uke/Vocals performance, featuring a memorable mix of playful jazz, Americana and originals, with blazing fingerpicking and soulful vocals. Mark won a Grammy in '05; Greta was Young Audiences' Nat'l Artist of the Year in '09, the same year they played for President Obama! Mark Hanson & Greta Pedersen Sunday 4/26/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Trade Center Tent E You Find an Irish Pub From tavern songs to love songs, sea chanteys to rebel songs, rowdy crowd pleasers to heartbreaking acapellas, if you hear it in a pub in Dublin, you'll hear it here on this stage. You'll find the usual staples, as well as the not so well known ear-catchers. Andrew Prete Sunday 4/26/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Trade Center West DS A Shadowy Set of Contras! Contras with a variety of neat, lovely shadow interactions! Annie Kidwell, The Dead Sea Squirrels Sunday 4/26/2026 3:00 PM 3:50 PM 1500 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GF Spring into Action & Song You'll be invited to sing/move-along throughout this rollicking mix of fun, funny and family-friendly songs. Jackson Gillman Sunday 4/26/2026 3:15 PM 4:05 PM 1515 50 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NS Croatian Dance Favorites Join us for a non-taught but accessible session full of traditional Croatian dances! Pajdashi Sunday 4/26/2026 3:30 PM 4:20 PM 1530 50 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS Celebrating Fried de Metz Herman ECD Fried de Metz Herman, one of the most creative ECD choreographers of the modern era, would have turned 100 this year. In this session, we will dance some favorites from her repertoire. Margaret Bary, The Mad Katters Sunday 4/26/2026 3:30 PM 4:50 PM 1530 80 Princess (Hotel East) GS Beatles Singalong Join us as we sing one of our all-time favorite albums, Rubber Soul. Rocking Horse People Sunday 4/26/2026 3:30 PM 4:20 PM 1530 50 Southborough (Hotel West) E Compare and Contrast! Join Becky and Nicole for a concert of songs that contradict or complement each other — from love and loss to icebergs and airplanes. There will be plenty of opportunities to sing, laugh, and maybe cry along (in a good way). Becky & Nicole Sunday 4/26/2026 3:30 PM 4:20 PM 1530 50 Sudbury (Hotel West) E Before It Was a Folk Song A few 19th C American songs as originally composed and published paired with the versions of them that were more popularly sung or parodied. (Sing along with the well known choruses) Deborah Goss Sunday 4/26/2026 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 1600 90 Duchess (Hotel East) Available for Jamming Sunday 4/26/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Seminar (Hotel East) E Voice of the Roots Join us for a program featuring the captivating melodies and complex rhythms of Western Armenia, the Middle East and North Africa with influences from jazz, rock, and western classical music. Armadi Tsayn Sunday 4/26/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Sterling (Hotel West) E Re-Imagining Folk Song Nostalgia One of us grew up with the "Fireside Book of Folk Songs" on the family piano. The other grew up folk dancing and playing tunes. We will feature some of the favorites from "Fireside" as well as songs/tunes that give us that sense of nostalgia, re-imagined in surprising ways. HeartSoulVoice Sunday 4/26/2026 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 1600 90 Trade Center Tent GB Chantey Sing An open sing of sea chanteys, forebitters, and other maritime-related songs, old and new. Bring one with a chorus, or just follow along. Jeff Keller Sunday 4/26/2026 4:00 PM 5:30 PM 1600 90 Trade Center West DS Festival Orchestra Contras and Sqs -- Merry Go Round at 4:35! Close out the Festival with a big, open-band finale. We'll dance fun contras and squares, including the classic Merry Go Round square, to the joyful sounds of the Festival Orchestra. Jeremy Korr, Sue Rosen, Festival Orchestra Sunday 4/26/2026 4:00 PM 4:50 PM 1600 50 Westborough (Hotel West) GB Closing Sing-Around End the festival with open song-sharing, all voices and instruments welcome, choruses preferred but not required, diversity, equity and inclusion! Allen has led the closing sing-around for more than 25 years. Allen Hopkins Sunday 4/26/2026 4:15 PM 5:30 PM 1615 75 Ballroom AB (Hotel East) NS Balkan Dance Party with Orkestar Banitsa Orkestar Banitsa will play dances from Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Serbia Orkestar Banitsa Sunday 4/26/2026 4:15 PM 5:05 PM 1615 50 Marlborough (Hotel West) NS Røros Norwegian Dansefest Dansefest = dance party! We play dance tunes from the Røros region of Norway for your dancing pleasure - vals, reinlander, hoppvals (polka), and of course lots of Rørospols. Røroslaget Sunday 4/26/2026 4:30 PM 5:30 PM 1630 60 Ballroom CDE (Hotel East) DS ECD Delights Favorites from the ECD repertoire, including some modern dances with excellent tunes. Positional (gender-free) calling. Sam Weiler, The Haymakers Sunday 4/26/2026 4:30 PM 5:30 PM 1630 60 Southborough (Hotel West) TB Banjo Styles for Folk Music Beginner-friendly banjo instruction for accompanying folk singing in the Seeger "up-picking" style. Jason Baker Sunday 4/26/2026 4:30 PM 5:30 PM 1630 60 Sudbury (Hotel West) GS Singing from The Shenandoah Harmony Participatory singing from The Shenandoah Harmony, a collection of new & old shape-note tunes. Myles Dakan