Up North: Families dance together at Duluth Folk School

The Duluth folk school was founded in 2016 with the goal of spreading fun and building community here in the Northland.

Over the weekend Northlanders swung on down for their ‘Family Dance’ celebrating the joy of all ages frolicking, pirouetting, and singing together.

“That was the first dance we ever did years ago, and a little bit like tonight, we just had kids and families and it was a lot of fun. Then over the years, we’ve had folk dances, we’ve had country dances, square dancing. All sorts of different opportunities for people to come together, shake a leg and have some fun,” said Duluth Folk School Director Bryan French.

“The little kids are having a great time, and I think the adults are having a great time. So it’s a wonderful thing. My wife has done a lot of that dancing before. She does it great and she loves it, and I’m doing a little better every time,” added participant David Olson.

The dances were conducted by Terrence Smith who sings, plays and has participated in these types of family dances for over 30 years as part of the Tamarack Dance Association. Which works in partnership with local and regional dance musicians to create the friendly ambiance that is the Family Dance.

“The folks from Tamarack Dance are really great at being inclusive. They tell you what to do so you don’t have to know how to dance at all. You just show up and grab a partner and then, you walk in the middle and then you walk over there and link your arms. So they make it really easy and really fun and really engaging. It’s always a fun and great opportunity to get together,” concluded French.

For more information about future dances, and other events at the Duluth Folk School CLICK HERE.