The roots of the Door County Folk Alliance go back to 1995, when a group of folk musicians and dance enthusiasts, originally led by Cy Rosenthal of Sturgeon Bay, came together to play folk music and hold community dances. Cy, who sang and played the tin whistle, viewed contra dancing as a means of uniting different generations in a healthy do-it-yourself activity. He also recognized local folk bands as an opportunity for musicians to collaborate, support one another, and enhance their skills. At the Door County Folk Alliance, our goal remains unchanged: to bring together the Door County community through song and dance, celebrating the vibrant spirit of Door County events.
"You can't beat fun for a good time." -Cy Rosenthal
The Door County Folk Alliance Ltd. is incorporated in Wisconsin as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. It is managed by a board of directors who promote community dances and home-grown folk music in Door County. Beyond the board of directors, the Alliance has no formal membership; people connect with the Alliance by participating in its activities—such as attending the dances or playing music. The closest thing to a membership roster is the mailing list used to send out information about Door County events. Please contact us if you'd like to join this list!
The central activity of the Alliance is a series of monthly barn dances. Most are held in or near Sturgeon Bay, with the remainder scattered throughout Door County. All dances feature live music, typically provided by the Alliance band, "Sugar on the Floor." The Alliance owns its own sound equipment, makes arrangements for the use of dance halls, and has established connections with several professional dance callers. Additionally, the Alliance can provide its services to individuals or organizations looking to host their own barn dance. Another vital activity is offering local folk musicians opportunities to gather and play music together. While the Sugar on the Floor band performs at the barn dances, they also give occasional concerts for individuals or organizations. As a more informal activity, the Alliance coordinates regular music sessions, currently held twice a month, which emphasize Irish music but also occasionally feature other tunes.
The Door County Folk Alliance is primarily financed through voluntary contributions, and most of its work relies on hardworking volunteers. The board members serve without compensation, and the dance band is not paid. However, there are expenses associated with the community dances; dance halls generally charge rent, professional callers need to be compensated, and the sound equipment requires maintenance. Other expenses include publicity, maintaining the website, insurance, and miscellaneous costs. While we do not charge admission at the barn dances, we encourage voluntary donations (around $5). The Alliance occasionally applies for grant money and, of course, accepts individual gifts. All donations are tax-deductible and can be directed to the general operating fund or an endowment fund established for long-term stability and capital growth. A secondary source of income comes from providing music for private functions; see below.
Our "barn dances" (the terminology is loose) are descendants of traditional dances originating in the British Isles and brought to North America by early settlers. In colonial times, itinerant "dance masters" taught dances from village to village, and community folk gathered regularly to enjoy the music and dancing. In the 1960s, the popularity of contra dances, as they are called in New England, boomed along with the "folk revival" and spread throughout the country. Today, contra dances or barn dances can be found from Portsmouth, NH, to Portland, OR, making them a staple of community dances across various regions. Dance "callers" still travel from community to community teaching, calling, sharing, and preserving this tradition.
Several types of dances are generally offered over the course of the evening, including circle dances, line dances (these are the real "contras"), square dances, and waltzes. Barn dances are danced in a group, not by separate couples. While dancers usually start a dance with a partner, they often change partners several times as the dance progresses. "Mixer" dances in particular feature rapid changes of partners, sometimes leading to enjoyable confusion. The caller generally begins the evening with simple dances to teach the basic steps - do-si-do, promenade, swing your partner - then moves into more complicated figures. The steps are not hard to learn, and most are executed with a relaxed walking step - though things can become quite energetic as the evening progresses.
Barn dancing is a shared activity that encourages cooperation, acceptance, and inclusion. Dancers young and old, beginning and advanced, all dance together. Folk Alliance barn dances are community-oriented, family-friendly, and alcohol-free, making them one of the most enjoyable Door County events. You can come with or without a partner; singles are welcome. The dances are taught by a caller, so no experience is necessary. Barn dances revive the idea of entertainment as active participation, not passive reception. Barn dances are FUN, and they celebrate the spirit of folk music while bringing communities together.
The Barn Dance Society's main band, Sugar on the Floor, provides lively music for community dances. In the organization's early years, the musicians also formed other bands: Bubble and Squeak (Celtic music), Hobson's Choice (bluegrass and gospel singing), and Global Achord (international dance tunes). These bands featured the same talented players, most of whom now perform as Sugar on the Floor. While the band has an established name, it does not have a fixed membership; a core group plays regularly, while others join from time to time. Although none are full-time musicians, some are professional musicians. The instruments typical of contra dance bands include violin, flute, penny whistle, piccolo, accordion, concertina, banjo, piano, guitar, string bass, and drums.
The music for contra dances is rooted in tunes from the British Isles and their descendants in Canada and the United States. Reels and jigs are the most common, with polkas sometimes replacing them. For a slower tempo, waltzes are traditionally played as the final dance of the evening. Since community dances often last longer than a single tune, the band typically plays a set of two or three tunes for each dance, repeating them several times. Although the Folk Alliance primarily focuses on contra dances, it occasionally features other dance styles, including an annual Irish ceili dance in March, a highlight among Door County events.
At the informal music jam sessions, the focus shifts to tunes of Irish origin. Many tunes played are drawn from the regular Sugar repertory, but musicians often introduce new pieces for the group to explore. The aim of these sessions is not a polished performance, but rather to enjoy playing together in the spirit of folk music, reminiscent of an informal gathering at a local pub. It's surely a worthy goal.
We are always open to connecting with our community, near and far! If youre interested in connecting or joining us in our mission, please reach out.
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