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Dancing Folk exists because of people like you.
Membership helps us pay musicians and callers, keep events accessible, and continue building a welcoming, vibrant dance community. It’s one of the most meaningful ways to support the dances you love.
calendar
April 27, 2026 Pie Dance with Janine Smith and Countercurrent
You are invited (not required) to bring pie (purchased or home made) to share with our refreshing refreshments after the dance.
Music: Countercurrent from Olympia, WA (Alex Sturbaum and Brian Lindsay)
Caller: Janine Smith from Washington, DC
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have scones and other refreshments after the dance.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
May 11, 2026 Birthday Dance
We’ll celebrate one year of Dancing Folk events. You’re invited (not required) to bring a birthday photo of yourself or someone else. We’ll tape the photos to the wall and guess who’s who. We’ll also have sweet deserts and a short meeting to answer questions and elect our new Board of Directors.
Music: David Di Giuseppe (accordion) and Jared Kirkpatrick (piano)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have scones and other refreshments after the dance.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
May 18, 2026 Tie Dye Dance
You are invited (not required) to wear something tie dyed to the dance and bring a refreshing refreshment to share that fits this theme.
Music: Light Reaction (Kathleen Fownes on fiddle with Jim Fownes on keyboard)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have an after dance refreshing refreshment.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
June 8, 2026 Flower Dance
You are invited (not required) to bring flowers to the dance.
Music: David Di Giuseppe (accordion) and Jared Kirkpatrick (piano)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have scones and other refreshments after the dance.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
June 22, 2026 Peas & Carrots Dance
You are invited (not required) to wear or bring something that fits the Peas & Carrots theme.
Music: Light Reaction (Kathleen Fownes on fiddle with Jim Fownes on keyboard)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have an after dance refreshing refreshment.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
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2025 Ephesus Church Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
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About us
COMMUNITY.
DANCE.
CONNECTION.
We – Russ Bowen, Galen Kirkpatrick, and Emily Rush – are bringing people together through the joy of traditional music and dance. Our twice-monthly, early-evening contra dance is shorter than a typical evening event, making it more accessible for families with young kids, newcomers, and anyone who loves to dance but also values time to connect before and after.
Rooted in tradition and built for community, our dance is about more than just the steps, it’s about creating a place where everyone belongs.
The Organizers

Russ
Bowen
Organizer, Pres.

Emily
Rush
VP & Caller

Galen
Kirkpatrick
Treasurer & Sound Wizard