Ralph Page Dance Weekend
Hosted by New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA) and Ralph Page Dance Weekend, the Ralph Page
In 2022 we prepared a gala Ralph Page event on Zoom on Sunday afternoon January the 16th, 2022 called "Ralph Page Virtual Event" with the theme "Keeping the Flame Alive".It was a huge success, You may view session videos here: Ralph Page Virtual Event January 16, 2022 – NEFFA: https://www.neffa.org/ralph-page/34th-annual-ralph-page-jan-2022/
For the 2023 weekend, our committee is hopeful that 2023 will find us together rejoicing in dance once again.
09/28/2026
Hello Friends,
Please join us January 8–9, 2027, at Wesley United Methodist Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, for a weekend celebrating traditional dance, music, history, and community.
This year’s staff includes callers Chris Ricciotti and Janine Smith, with music by Calliope and Julie Metcalf, Max Newman and Stuart Kenny.
Our historical focus this year will be on dance halls, past and present—the places that have hosted memorable dances and the dancers, musicians, and callers who have left their mark and helped shape our traditional dance community.
Whether you’ve attended Ralph Page for many years or are thinking about joining us for the first time, we hope you’ll be there.
Learn more about the Ralph Page Dance Event:
https://www.neffa.org/annual-ralph-page-dance-event/
Register for the 2027 Ralph Page Dance Event:
https://www.neffa.org/ralph-page-dance-event-registration-payment/
Please register early, and feel free to share this invitation with friends who enjoy traditional dance and music. NEFFA has adopted a new registration process. Please read the instructions for details. The new process allows for multiple dancers and sessions per registration. It’s new and improved.
The 2027 Ralph Page Dance Event will be using non-gendered role terms.
We look forward to dancing with you in Worcester in January!
Warmly,
The Ralph Page Dance Event Committee
New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA)
09/26/2026
GREAT NEWS! NEFFA's Ralph Page Dance Event REGISTRATION is now open! https://www.neffa.org/annual-ralph-page-dance-event/ Click here then on the green rectangular button marked "Registration"!
09/04/2026
Dear Ralph Page Dance Event Friends,
● We’re delighted to announce the 2027 Ralph Page Dance Event, taking place January 8–9, 2027.
● We hope you’ll join us for another weekend celebrating traditional dance, music, history, and community. Non-gendered terms will be used for the 2027 RPDE.
● We’ll be returning to the same location as last year:
Wesley United Methodist Church
114 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
● 2027 Staff
Callers: Chris Ricciotti & Janine Smith
Musicians: Calliope, Julie Metcalf and Max Newman
● This Year’s Historical Focus: Dance Halls Past and Present
Dance halls have always been more than just places to dance. They are gathering places where dancers, musicians, and callers come together, traditions are shared, and lasting memories are made.
● This year, we’ll explore dance halls past and present that have hosted dancers, musicians, and callers who have left an impression and helped lift and shape the traditional dance scene.
● As always, the weekend will offer plenty of opportunities to dance, listen, learn, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones.
● REGISTRATION opens September 15.
● Please mark January 8–9, 2027 on your calendar and watch for registration information in September.
● We look forward to dancing with you in Worcester!
The NEFFA Ralph Page Dance Committee
07/20/2026
Dudley!
Dudley Laufman Obituary (1930-2026) · Canterbury, New Hampshire,... Dudley Laufman, the New Hampshire fiddler and caller who revived American contra dancing, died in his mid-90s. He won a 2009 National Heritage Fellowship.
07/17/2026
Contra Dancing in the early 1950s with Dudley Laufman!
The dance he is calling is a variation of the traditional dance "Washington Quickstep" and the first tune is with the same name (aka Steamboat Quickstep).
New England Folk Dancing To get this old film https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007PGPBG To suppor...
07/16/2026
National Endowment for the Arts on Dudley Laufman's passing:
National Endowment for the Arts Statement on the Death of National Heritage Fellow Dudley Laufman It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of dance caller and musician Dudley Laufman of New Hampshire, recipient of a 2009 National Heritage Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts.
07/15/2026
Dudley Laufman
New England Contra Dance History - Old Timers Talk (3 of 6) - Dudley Laufman Dudley Laufman, Canterbury, NH, talks about his early experiences a...
07/15/2026
We have lost another great one!
Dudley Laufman past Monday, July 13th 2026.
Rest in peace Dudley!
04/08/2026
Contra Chestnuts with David Millstone
Contra Chestnuts with David Millstone Contra Chestnuts: A new look at old dancesWhat makes a dance a chestnut? What's so special about these dances anyhow? What are some common misconceptions abo...
01/27/2026
Watch NEFFA's 38th Ralph Page Dance Event dances here:
https://www.youtube.com/
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Address
114 Main Street
Worcester, MA
01608
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