In this workshop we will learn by ear some lovely traditional (dance) tunes from the 17th and 18th century. Some of them are still played nowadays in the European folk scene, some have been forgotten.

We are recreating the Hootenanny that started FSSGB! Sing along on many of your favorite folk songs from 'way back! We believe that music is for everyone, and all levels of singing/playing are welcome in this friendly circle.

As Barney the Purple Dinosaur famously said, "I love you, you love me, we're a happy family... and Hell is empty and all the devils are here."

A Contra, English, International, couple dance celebration of Neffa's 75th.

Tunes and songs from both sides of the Atlantic.

Join Alex Cumming for a fun 'NEFFA Hour' of the UK's number one social party dance! A fun mix of Circles, Squares, Longways and more to get you dancing the night/afternoon/morning away!

A variety of English country dances.

A round robin singing session to share songs of community, perseverance, love, etc., without reference to god(s) or religion.

Listen to traditional songs and melodies from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, and beyond.

Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece ... your favorite dances, with Gogofski on the floor in front of you.

Balkan dance party with music by Rakiya.

Come sing along (or just enjoy listening to)"old city songs" and/or dance songs from Macedonia and surrounding areas, evoking the pleasure ("kefi") of singing with old friends around the table at a celebration, or in the village tavern or coffeehouse.

Are Bosnian Sevdalinke like Schubert lieder? Are there any happy Roma songs? Did Junache know his girl was marrying someone else? Come to Gogofski's song concert and find out!

Easy, joyful "village" dances from the Balkans. Don't balk, don't be shy about joining the dance line: this is a party and you are invited!

Murder, magic, marriage, mayhem! Bring a story song to share.

Dance to Waltzes,Polkas,Tangos, and Mazurkas from Italy's 1st half of the 20th Century. Accoustic fiddle,guitar,bass,mandolin,and accordion.

A concert Michael Nix's compositions and arrangements, based on historical archival research richly infused with folk, jazz and world music traditions, establish a unique 21rst century seven string banjo style.

Fiddle tunes from Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, and the American South on clawhammer banjo.

Howard and Pete return for another evening of blues dancing to the old-time barrel-house and boogie-woogie favorites! Get down and dirty, with these blues masters as they play for dancing and your enjoyment!

"I'm at NEFFA and I don't know how to Contra Dance!" Never fear! We'll teach you everything you need to know to have a swinging time at the Festival.

Join us and sing songs from The Beatles aka the White Album. Lots of great songs to choose from!

You could describe bourree as French Bal Folk's version of American contradance. After a quick review of the basics we'll do some easier, some more challenging - and all fun.

As terms, Larks and Ravens are spreading. Many dancers have raised questions and concerns. Come discuss language experiments, history, and evolution with our diverse panel. Let's have fruitful conversation together!

Dave Richardson will present some of his favorite traditional songs and ballads that feature animals: sly foxes, delicious groundhogs, magical deer, and more!

Virtuoso harmonica player and master guitar/mandolin picker perform an eclectic mix of blues, golden oldies, and well, just stuff they like. Casual and fun--this ain't no pretentious jam band!

Songs and tunes from the heart of Eastern Europe with voice, harp, and fiddle.

Dance tunes and pub songs from Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, and Brittany performed on twin fiddles, bouzouki, and voices. Raise a glass (of water) and sing along!

Zdravets plays and sings village-style music "mostly from Bulgaria," using traditional Bulgarian folk instruments and vocal styles.

Enjoy easy-to-follow Bulgarian folk dances with irresistible rhythms performed by Divi Zheni, Boston women's Bulgarian chorus. Tatiana Sarbinska, Artistic Director and singer extraordinaire. All are welcome!

Zdravets plays and sings village-style music "mostly from Bulgaria," using traditional Bulgarian folk instruments and vocal styles. Most of the dances we do are easy to pick up!

Easy Bulgarian line dances; music by Zornitsa, a men's Bulgarian singing group with instrumental accompaniment.

Performance and discussion of ballads transcribed from recordings and manuscripts collected in Maine prior to 1945.

Great dances with balances and other noises

We all know a great number of sailors' work songs, but how do we know how they were used at sea, and for what job? Chris will use his experience as one of the Chanteymen at Mystic Seaport Museum, and his experience sailing square-riggers, and Joy her decades singing and researching Maritime music, to demonstrate how this 19th century tool might have been used. Bring a chantey and we'll see if we can figure out the job.

Come take a ride through sea history and songs of the sea hauling, heaving, rowing and other water related musical selections. Audience participation welcomed.

An hour of songs for the audience to sing.

Songs for children & the young at heart

Come step out of your comfort zone and jam with us! We'll be using our voices (and bodies) to create some yummy close resonances. Even if you're no longer a teen, come sing!

Open sing-around to end the festival; voices and instruments welcome, choruses preferred ---- go home singing!

Julie Vallimont and friends will perform some selections from her new album inspired by French, French Canadian, and New England musical traditions. She will also show a few magical crankies (movies on paper) with musical accompaniment.

Join the chorus as Jody Kruskal plays and sings vintage songs telling stories of train wrecks and wrecked marriages, death row convicts and lonesome lovers, heroes, losers and fools.

All systems and abilities. Come prepared to play something you would like to share. Expect a gentle and supportive environment as we examine performance, arrangement and technique in songs and tunes.

Only at NEFFA! Join JoLaine Jones-Pokorney and Acapelican as we find out once and for all how awesome it is to contra dance to an unaccompanied all-star vocal dance band.

Basic contra skills and structure to create a solid foundation for a lifetime of endless enjoyment.

Contras with square figures, squares with contra figures, and formations that mix contras and squares.

Come dance traditional Croatian dances! There will be a leader to follow and most dances will be easy to pick up.

An introduction to one of the most popular guitar tunings for Celtic music. Intended to be an introduction for those who play guitar and want to get started in learning DADGAD.

Jam session of dance tunes popular in Western Pennsylvania, with Gray and Ron Buchanan on fiddle.

Line dances from Brittany (France) such as Ando, Hanter Dro, and Laridees will be taught. Emphasis will also be given to the gavotte step and several of its variations.

Classic village dances from northern Romania will be taught by members of Plauirile Dornelor, who will also provide the music.

Balkan and international folk dancing with Shining Moon/

We will explore dancing the dances and styles of the Ragtime Era (1910's) and of the exciting Flapper era of the 1920's. No prior experience needed - we'll show you everything you need to know. We'll be using vintage recordings and authentic reproductions of music from that era.

Hambos, Schottises, Polkas and Polskas of all sorts from Sweden, played for your dancing delight (dansgladdje) by a Swedish Riksspelman (Stefhan) and an American enthusiast.

Coal-mining songs from Kentucky and the United Kingdom. Singing voices welcome.

A selection of squares and contras honoring the festival's 75th anniversary.

Blue Jersey Band plays gypsy jazz, bluegrass, swing, blues, American songbook - tunes from the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s. Tight harmonies, masterful flatpicking by two-time NJ guitar champion.

International FD party with all kinds of dances , each one from a different country.

A selection of English Country Dances choregraphed by British women from the 1970s to today. An exciting mix of familiar repertoire and rare gems: fluency with the basic figures is helpful.

Using the visual connection with partner, with others, to heighten the dancing joy. Challenging figures to exquisite music. Exceptional English Country Dance for experienced and attentive dancers.

From 1651 to the present, ECD tunes delight us with their variety. Let's play melodies from the spritely to the sumptuous. Requests welcome! Barnes books helpful but not necessary.

Enjoy a sampling of accessible English Country dances invented by the Philadelphia dance & music community. Lively ones! Luscious ones!

Music of the Shaker religious communities has provided inspiration for many modern English country dances. We'll dance a few!

Handbells, once primarily used in churches, are increasingly used with secular music. Some instruments take years of practice, but this workshop will teach basic ringing and have you performing with an ensemble by the end of the day.

Dance to the great tunes--old and new--that have inspired the figures, phrasing, progressions, and nuances that are the signature of Brooke Friendly's and Chris Sackett's work.

Country dance music and songs from the rural countryside of 19th and early 20th century England presented in period costume.

Come dance contras where we do unusual chains, done by both roles!

Smooth and connected contras overflowing with eye contact.

Fun dances for everyone, from the child dancing with a parent as one person, to dancers whose grandchildren have left home.

A group from Wiogora will present participatory singing and dancing for children and families.

Come learn and sing songs that celebrate diversity, build community and remind us to take care of the earth and each other. Hosted by The Children's Music Network, New England chapter.

Traditional Faroese Ballad Dance combines storytelling, song and dance. Singers/dancers from the Faroe Islands demonstrate, explain and draw participants into a living tradition with roots in the Middle Ages.

In memory of Becky Hill, a wonderful caller and choreographer. We'll dance some of her best dances.

A stylish blend of English country dances: elegant to energetic; festive, yet tasteful!

We will have a discussion, including question/answer session, about how to play fiddle without pain. Fortunately I can play fiddle comfortably for many hours straight. I will reveal the secrets!

Freestyle waltzing to Bob Pasquarello's original waltzes on piano. His repertoire includes Andrea's Waltz, Midwinter Blossom, and many many others

Dance tunes from France and Brittany. Easy! Fun! All instruments welcome.

A traditional couple dance from central France. It is a waltz-like dance with a delightful rhythmical hiccup that gives it a unique feel.

The Scandinavian Folkdancers of Omaha will teach fun, easy and lively quadrilles and circle dances. These dances are perfect for kids, families and beginners.

Pure and adulterated musical nostalgia with lots of fun surprises. Including topical originals, musical foolishness & finesse, and sing-alongs that have been fractured, twisted and bent.

Party Greek style! Dance those favorite Greek line dances (Syrtos, Hassaposervikos...) and freestyle dances (Tsifteteli...) - to the exotic and driving sound of Greek and Turkish tunes.

Beautifully choreographed Contra dances that flow effortlessly from move to move. A true pleasure to dance. Come join us.

The beautiful blend and resonance of hammered and mountain dulcimers will be showcased in a performance of traditional and original music.

A variety of traditional, classical, and contemporary music performed by experienced New England Hammered Dulcimer players

Enchanting music played on Norway's unique 8 string fiddle. Stories of enchantment, magical creatures and the doings of ordinary people from centuries past. The traditional fiddler's art was always that of telling the stories as well as playing the music.

Harp Jam

Handsome cabin boys, female husbands, and captains with huge crushes on the sailors.

A collection of dances with neighbor interactions and some dances with shadow interactions, perhaps a little bit of both, and of course your partner.

Lots of singing, old songs and new. All ages, all interests, many instruments, and much audience participation!

Come sing-a-long to the country songs of the 40s, 50s and 60s. Songs by artists such as Hank Williams, Patsy Cline and Bob Wills. Full band and ALL words provided.

basic instruction on how to play the rhythm bones, from beginners to advanced, demonstration of various styles

Introduction to Irish Bodhran; a demonstration of handling technique. Explore Irish music rhythms. We'll consider session etiquette, play some tunes (with Dave Miller on fiddle), explore ornamentation. Bring a bodhran.

Learn some waltz flourishes to spice up your waltzing!

International Dance (no teaching, mixed levels)

Come dance with the International Music Club!

International folk dance band performing old and new arrangements of old and new songs.

Bring your jaw harp and learn about the history and playing of this ancient folk instrument.

New to contra? Or feeling a bit rusty? This hands-on session will get you started so you can join in the fun at NEFFA... and beyond!

The doumbek and its cousins are the most popular hand drums of the Middle East. In this workshop, you'll learn how to hold the drum, how to make the basic sounds and how to play some of the exciting rhythms that are common to a wide range of Arabic music. No prior experience is required, but if you have your own drum, bring it along. There will be a limited number of loaner drums available on a first-come basis.

Basic figures in fun dances. Emphasis on differences from and similarities to Contra, but contra experience not necessary.

Come learn the basic figures while dancing to beautiful music.

Come learn the basic figures while dancing to beautiful music.

A crash-course in the basics of Quebecois step dancing (la gigue). Geared to beginners but will include a few variations for those with some percussive dance experience.

Come learn dances from many countries, with a special focus on the Balkans, and enjoy beautiful live music!

Come learn the basics of Balkan and other international dance styles. Enjoy efficient, cheerful teaching and wonderful live music!

"If you can walk, you can dance!" Learn dances from different countries with different rhythms and styles.

Intro to the skills required to play authentic sounding versions of fiddle tunes on 5-string banjo clawhammer style; some areas covered are drop & double thumbing, pull-offs and alternate-string pull-offs and using the fifth string for melody

Learn how to enjoy traditional sqaure dancing

Are you lured by the captivating music of brittany? Come learn how to play the different dances - rond, gavotte, kas a bahr, plinn, andro, hanter dro, and more. Emphasis on accents, phrasing, rhythm, tempo. A workshop for all instruments - note, no dancing

(Mostly) Irish traditional music on (mostly) fiddle and uilleann pipes.

In this workshop, we will learn the basics of Irish traditional music with a focus on bowing and ornamentation. Fiddlers and other instrumentalists are all welcome.

Family-friendly Israeli folk dances with simple patterns taught cheerfully and efficiently. No partners needed...you can do these!

Israeli partner dances where you get a new partner each time through the music. No partner required---and you wouldn't keep one long even if you brought one!

A group of Boston area traditional folk musicians will lead an 'Open Participatory Session' in the playing and singing of Italian folk, pop, classical, and operatic aria songs and melodies. The Session is open to all musicians, singers, and listeners of Italian music. We will provide handouts of the music notation and Italian lyrics.

Back by popular demand! Come dance your heart out to Outrageous Fortune's rootsy jug band stylings of classic blues and jazz of the 1920s and 1930s.

It's not all about improper contras! Fun dances from times past to the present set in a proper form.

Come along for a tour of the world via Klezmer music! Jewish people live and have lived all over the world and music has traveled with them. We'll visit Hungary, Turkey, Greece, Russia, New York, and Poland all without leaving our chairs - unless you want to get up to dance!

Participatory playing of klezmer tunes, all instruments (and vocalists), all levels. Sheet music will be provided, including various klezmer forms: freylekhs, slow hora, bulgar, terkish, Yiddish swing, etc.

What's With the Birds? Genderfree Dancing is gaining popularity and momentum across New England. Not so sure? Let us change your mind! This session will be called with Larks/Ravens.

One of the charming aspects of Cajun music is having twin fiddles, trading leads and backing up each other. We'll start with the skeleton of the tune and add stylistic elements that give it the Cajun sound, as well as learn chord shapes and rhythm for backing up.

Leave the instruments at home and ditch the lyrics, we're vocalizing fiddle tunes! This is especially for you non-instrumentalists out there who want to get that tune-jam experience.

Marxophone, violin-guitar, dolceola, harpeleik, Phonoharp No. 1, & more! Katherine Rhoda sings & plays vintage fretless zithers.

Dave and Chris will lead a slow jam of favorite tunes composed by Bob McQuillen. Music will be provided, but playing by ear is encouraged. All instruments and levels welcome.

Here is your chance to see and hear reproductions of instruments used in Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque times (1200 - 1800). The Harper and The Minstrel will play examples of Period Music, answer your questions, and let you get a close up look at the instruments: Rebec, Bamboo Flute, Recorder, Gothic Wire-Strung Harp, Irish Flute, The Greek Aulos (also called the Double Flute or Divergent Flute), Hammered Dulcimer, Viola da Gamba and Baroque Guitar

If you can breathe, you can play rhythm harmonica! This is a fast, easy and really satisfying way to begin to blow the harmonica- learning to play what are called the wind chops or rhythmic vamps, either in solo mode (classic train riff?) or in playing backup for dance tunes or folk music! We will explore basic technique to get a full sound, and then together blow the rhythms for reels, jigs, polkas, waltzes, folk, and Bo Diddley beats... and whatever other rhythms may come up. All you have to do is show up with a G major diatonic harmonica (no other keys accepted!)... and no prior experience is necessary!All you have to do is show up with a G major diatonic harmonica (no other keys accepted!)... and no prior experience is necessary!

Favorites from the cards in every caller's box.

Folk songs, liturgical pieces, and soldier's songs from the Republic of Georgia

The Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra performs a repertoire of traditional and contemporary Scottish and Cape Breton tunes arranged to create a unique fresh sound while also keeping with the tradition. Under the direction of Neil Pearlman, the group includes about 25 musicians of all ages who play fiddle, cello, guitar, mandolin, flute, piano and other instruments. The BSFO is part of the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club.

Presenting songs by Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, focusing on (mostly) lesser known songs with expressive lyrics that fall into the category of "why can't I write like that?" We won't necessarily try to explain the songs (though we may give it a shot).

A "chantey blast" style singing session - lend your voice and energy to the fun of singing together the old ditties.

Come meet the people behind the festival and other NEFFA activities. Ask questions! Get answers!

All ages and experience levels welcome for dancing that's fun for all. Simple sequences focus on the joy of discovering dance and music together.

Sometimes contemporary songs can help us understand what makes traditional songs and their writers special. Participate and sing along in that discovery in this fun workshop.

Original songs that owe a debt to old traditions, many with singable choruses.

Varied and enjoyable Becket contra dances that do NOT start with "Circle left three-quarters to un-Becket."

Come dance polska, hambo, waltz, schottis, polka, and more as fiddlers Marilyn and Amy play a set of favorite tunes from Sweden and Norway.

Dances from Denmark, Shetland and Orkney: couples dances, quadrilles and longways.

Sing from a new shape-note tunebook "The Norumbega Harmony". We have rescued old tunes in 4-part harmony from the New England Singing School tradition and have added some new ones, all in the style of "The Sacred Harp" and the old shape-note books.

Tunes on one, two, and three Swedish nyckelharpas and some of the lore behind the instrument and its music

Cathy and I will share some of our favorite Ozark ballads, and we will talk about what it really means to "take a walk" by the river. In between tunes we will have some lively discussions with our listeners!

Join us for over-the-top costumes and characters singing old favorites of the English music hall stage. Sing along on the chorus and enjoy the witty, fast-paced fun.

Songs and ballads with banjo

Bring your voices to an Old Time Gospel Sing where we'll sing songs and hymns from the old time tradition, including songs recorded by the Carter Family, EC & Orna Ball, and others.

Join a friendly jam session of Old Time and Contra favorites led by South Coast. Tunes you've heard, not too fast, just for fun. Fiddle/Banjo/Uke friendly! Some sheet music available.

David sings, a cappella, songs from both sides of the Atlantic, traditional and written. He tends towards funny songs, but slips in the occasional sea shanty or even a recitation. Born in England, the event title is his answer to those who ask where he is from.

Bring instruments and play along, or come to dance.

Rhythm has the power to bring people together, regardless of who they are, what language they speak, or where they come from. This is why drum circles continue to be such a wonderful social and musical focal point. Dave "Drumhead" Curry from Drums For One & All has lead hundreds of public drum circles over the past 18 years, and he will be the facilitator for this freestyle drum circle that welcomes all ages and skill levels to participate. Bring your own drum if you have one or borrow one of the loaners provided by Dave.

While sea shanties helped sailors get their work done, foc's'le songs were sung when off duty to help pass the time and entertain themselves. Come and share these less often sung songs with us.

Come listen to traditional Croatian music.

This will be a performance/presentation of the stories and songs of female musician's & songwriters of the early to mid 20th century, on banjo, mandolin and guitar.

The Pirates of ARRR!!! be leadin' a chantey-a-long for the landlubbers that be daring enough to brave our songs of nautical mischief and debauchery! We've sailed the high seas of New England for 20 years collectin' the finest and filthiest tunes, and we be willin' to share our musical treasures so long as ye pledge yer undying loyalty to the crew! YARRRRGGH!!!

Fun, quirky and playful contras - a little challenging and a little silly

Fun, easy, and playful dances from Latvia, Indonesia, Sweden, and more! For ages 6 and up.

In which we demystify the elements of blues fiddling. This expands on the basic blues fiddle workshop I presented at NEFFA in 2015. Lots of fun for all levels (mandolin players welcome too). (Must be able to play a simple tune -- other than that, all levels.)

A participatory workshop/discussion of ways in which morris dance and music interact with each other to enhance performance. Dancers and musicians are both welcome; musicians are invited to bring an instrument.

Songs from the first half of the 20th century and some from the last part of the 19th century. Evy Mayer on ukulele, and Marco Brehm on bass. Lots of opportunity to sing along.

Come and plan to lift your voice! Lynn and Ken sing with depth, power, and passionate attention to the spirit in the song. As experienced dancers of contra, English country, and Scandinavian gammaldans, their duo sound can be described as "ballroom dancing for the voice." They are noted for inspiring harmonies and making the rafters ring.

Roroslaget plays dance tunes from the Roros region of Norway, pols tunes as well as more general favorites: reinlander, waltz, polka, and snoa.

In the short 36 years that Henry Purcell lived in the 17th century, he created a body of beautiful music. English country dances set to Purcell tunes range from entertaining and somewhat silly (Tythe Pig, with music from his opera, King Arthur), to favorites of the core repertoire (like Lilliburlero and Wa' Is Me, What Mun I Do), to the sublime (Fried Herman's 20th century classic, Michael and All Angels). We'll sample a mix of familiar and not-so-familiar dances set to Purcell music.

A concert of tunes performed by two Quakers.

Songs of protest, social commentary, and resistance, new and old; voices and instruments welcome, choruses encouraged, and rebellious attitude respected!

Sing along with E. J. Barnes as she leads folk songs in the Latvian language! Lyric sheets, translations, and pronunciation guides will be provided.

Beautifully blended harmonies of traditional and contemporary folk songs from the British Isles and the Americas.

Ilie Hariuc will demonstrate the cimbalom, how it is played, and explain its importance in Romanian music.

Traditional tunes from Bucovina and Moldova. Demonstrations of cimbalom and Romanian flutes, and special rhythms/styling

Romanian dances for all

Play Romanian tunes. Sheet music provided.

This workshop will demonstrate musical styling and rhythms unique to this northern region of Romania, including stigatura (calls during dancing).

Group participation of singing Rounds

Rounds about the rain, the sea and a cup of tea will be taught. You don't need experience or music reading ability; sheet music you can keep will be provided. All are welcome.

Learn exciting and engaging dances of Russia, including music and movements of the Cossacks. 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.

Join renaissance faire favorites The King's Busketeers for a set of rousing songs and get ready to rant and roar and make the rafters ring! We're bringing our best murder ballads, sea shanties, drinking songs, rebel songs, and songs to free the soul, so bring your best singing voice and as many friends as you can muster!

Join the Vox Hunters and Alex Cumming for a fun concert looking at the music from their homes of Rhode Island and England. This will also be a chance to hear songs and tunes from The Vox Hunters new book, The Ocean State Songster, Vol. I

Exciting contras to the memorable tunes of R&O. It's a fine Neffa tradition!

Join us for shape-note singing from the Sacred Harp in the traditional hollow square.

Sad Songs for Serious People is a program of melancholy traditional music (is there any other kind?) uniquely arranged for voice and fiddle.

Explore maritime song from the headwaters to the coast and beyond: a passage encompassing pierhead, parlor, lumber camp, and loading dock, from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic. Audience participation.

Learn 3 energetic couple dances; Scandinavian "Snoa", Norwegian "Seattle Polka" and Seattle "Boston Two Step". (Learn how these names became that confusing, too!)

This 6 volume 18th century collection is a wonderful array of Scots music then known - comic, tragic, romantic, historic, forms including dance tunes, ballads. Here are some favourites, new to you, songs for listening and joining.

This will be Scottish Country Dancing for everyone. We especially welcome children and new dancers to this event. Everything will be explained and walked thru. No partner needed.

A chance for musicians to play Scottish tunes together.

A spirited performance of airs, marches, strathspeys, reels, hornpipes, and jigs played by a 20-member orchestra of fiddles, accordions, guitars, flutes and more.

Seated square dancing is just like regular square dancing except you are sitting down. Great fun for all, but may be particularly enjoyable for people with mobility issues.

No experience necessary! This easy to follow primer will have you singing the powerful 4-part harmonies that brought early New England communities together. Bring your family and friends.

I will share a Crankie scroll and my other favorite story books with families. I

Singing Squares, some old and some new.

The quest for peace is eternal, and singing about that quest seems to be a part of the human spirit. This program will feature songs of peace, including traditional songs, songs from the Great Folk Revival as well as original songs. The focus is on singing along; song sheets will be provided. Come and join your voice to the chorus.

Sing and play traditional songs and games from many countries. For all ages.

In this event, the Pletenitsa Balkan Choir will journey through the Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Caucasus, and celebrate the vocal traditions of these regions in a spirit of peace, joy and cultural understanding.

We will be doing fairly easy Scottish Country Dances in a social setting. Some experience helpful. No partners needed. Walk-thrus and prompting, but no teaching.

Come sing and dance to all kinds of folk music. Learn new singing games. All ages welcome!

Do you like group folk singing? Do you like boisterous shouting? Well then have we got a session for you! We'll be focusing on folk songs that have callbacks, claps, stomps, shouts, and other bits that encourage raucous enjoyment of good folk singing!

Learn the parts and dance moves to a traditional South African choral song. No music reading necessary, all will be taught by ear.

Square dancing from Ron's imagination. Some are challenging; all of them are fun!

Traditional and contemporary songs about steamboats and the men who worked on the inland and intercostal waterways.

Songs from world folk traditions about people standing up and speaking out for truth and justice, civil rights, and freedom, across time, continents, and gender. Come celebrate the hope that persists in these songs of our global community!

Helen tells traditional and original stories for adults woven around a theme.

A session of Swedish couple turning dances - regional polskas along with hambo, schottis, waltz, and more.

Laughs, thrills, adventures and smiles. Award-winning author/storyteller Mark Binder returns to NEFFA with stories (and some songs) that transmit joy for all ages.

Scottish ballad singer and guitarist Allan Carr (from Aberdeen, Scotland) and American Old time fiddler and clawhammer banjo player Jane Rothfield have been performing their unique blend of traditional and original music from Scotland and America since they met in 1978. Together they will present a program of old ballads and humorous songs from Allan's native Northeast Scotland and instrumentals and songs from the American Appalachian tradition. Great singing, soulful harmony's, hot tunes and beautiful melodies!

Three cheers for NEFFA's 75th! That's three quarters of a century, so let's celebrate with dances that feature three quarters, one way and another.

The great ballads, jigs, reels, hornpipes, and sea chanties of traditional folk music translate beautifully for piano. Songs of the folk tradition, which are usually played on stringed instruments, can find a wonderful home on the keyboard; the folk piano player can weave together both melody and accompaniment in a rich and interesting way or use the piano to support another soloist. We will explore the many ways piano is a true trad folk instrument.

An open folk song sing around. Bring a song to share - preferably something that others can join in on or pick up - or just come sing and listen along on the choruses and harmonies. Bring friends too!

Songs and tunes from North America, Ireland and the British Isles. Featuring Nothumbrian Small Pipes, Uilleann Pipes, fiddle and concertina.

Come by and learn some fabulous snakey isolations from the dancers of Eve Tribal Fusion Belly Dance. Suitable for dancers of all levels.

Although many Balkan dances are quite tricky--because of the steps, the rhythm, or both--in this workshop some tricky dances will be make accessible and understandable. Basic footwork patterns will be described and combined to help you learn the dances more easily.

It's all about THREE -- triplets, triple minor contras, three-facing three, triple progression...

The uilleann pipes are the lesser-known and much quieter Irish cousin of the highland bagpipes. You've probably heard them in just about every Celtic-themed movie or TV show, but did you know what they look like, how they work, and what they can do? Now's your chance to find out! (Hint: You don't blow into them.) Hands-on, no experience required.

Contras.

Bring your uke. Bring a song. Everyone will have a chance to play and sing, and also be accompanied by Evy and Allen (if you want).

Bring a uke, lead a song, jump in, sing along -- all levels for a lively session. Song sheets provided. We have a few loaner ukes.

"The Lotus Sound" is a circle singers open group based in Boston, founded in 2017 by the circle leader, Paola Munda."To come to our concerts means to witness a circle of people creating music together... and eventually to sing with us too!" Circle Singing is a spontaneous, improvisational community-singing experience where a leader starts by improvising a line of music and teaches the parts on the spot to one part of the circle at the time. The group ends up singing new compositions; never-before-sung, wordless most of the time, fun songs, melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. Each circle is a unique experience.

Through playing a variety of tunes from the Balkans, we'll explore techniques for parsing, understanding, and internalizing the rhythms and melodic modes of this musically fascinating region.

Concert featuring various zithers and Marx colony instruments as well as jaw harps, mouth bow, and of course fiddle, banjo and guitar.

A revue of songs and related stories from the Victorian era, featuring pieces from IGC's productions of Hail to the Chief and None But The Best. You'll be surprised how many tunes you already know but do you know the lyrics? Join the troupe as they sing their way through the latter half of the 19th Century. Audience participation, family-friendly, and fun!

Learn to travel and turn smoothly in concert with the music. Dance leader or follower role as you prefer. No partners needed. Leather soled shoes or dance shoe sliders recommended.

Come dance to a rich variety of beautiful waltzes from New England and eastern Canada, highlighting local composers.

You are welcome to join "Three-Quarter Time", a Boston area acoustic folk instrumental group that plays and leads traditional 3/4-time and folk waltz melodies. You will participate in an "open-to-all-instruments and all levels" jam that has been a NEFFA tradition since 2001. You can play by ear, or use music notation that we will provide. Dancers and listeners are welcome if sufficient room space permits.

Group participation in playing common waltzes and airs at a slow to moderate tempo.

We play, you waltz.

Celebrate the opening of NEFFA 2019 with rousing sea chanteys! Come lead a song or listen and sing along.

Songs and stories from Newfoundland.

Join us as we sing and play music from rural English churches, from the time of Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, and King George III. For all voices and melodic instruments.

Cape Breton singers keep the flame alive by drawing on a body of songs -- original, Irish, Scottish, and English. Here are some of the songs they sing and have in common.

Exploring in music and words the women who were a major influence on the revival of folk music in the 50's and 60's.

Come learn some wonderful single-figure dances from the Balkans! No complicated calls or step changes, all only two or three measures, and all very accessible, but not all simple--you can cover a lot of ground when each measure has 18 beats!

Eclectic & exciting world folk music concert, with songs from Bosnia, South Africa, Georgia, Corsica, Estonia, Syria & America.

Dynamic music, winding lines, and concentric circles are all part of a Yiddish tantshoyz (dance-party)! Join Avia to learn and dance freylekhs, bulgars, zhoks, and khosidls.

A selection of zwiefachers with pivot & waltz patterns ranging from simple to challenging. Z's are a folk dance form originating in the Bavaria and Austria region.