About

In many countries dance and music have long been part of the village celebration of important events. The variety of music and dance, from a Bulgarian men’s line dance to a Hungarian twirling couple dance reflects the cultural diversity of these countries. As immigrants moved to this country, the dances and music they brought with them helped to preserve their cultural heritage and identity.

Recreational folk dancing was born when people found that doing ethnic dances from all over the world was a fun, challenging and uplifting activity. It also provides aerobic exercise,ceducation in music and culture, new skills, and new friends and community.

AIFD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization organized exclusively for educational purposes, including the promotion and teaching of traditional folk dance, music and crafts native to a variety of countries. Our repertoire features:

  • Greek, French-Canadian, Norwegian, Croatian, Mexican, Chinese, Romanian, American, Swedish, Turkish, Bulgarian, Spanish, Russian, Scottish, Israeli, Polish, Hungarian, and many more
  • Line dances, couple dances, circle dances, mixers, set dances, trios, and contras
  • Parties, often with live musicians

There is often an overlap between folk dancing and other recreational dancing. You will find a number of fliers announcing contra, ballroom, and specific ethnic dance groups. The all provide a fun, exciting, and enriching form of exercise, recreation, and socializing. But in all dance groups, it is always the people that make the difference, and the goal of each group is to include
everyone in the building a healthy and enriching dance experience.