This weekend will mark the 26th year the Flurry Festival descends upon Saratoga Springs, and the organizers of the event have prepared all the traditional dancing activities, workshops, performances and storytelling groups for event-goers—with an all-new lineup catered toward teenagers.
“We always have the things that teenagers enjoy, but we’ve never done a concentrated line of workshops that really speak to teens,” said Tamara Flanders, administrative director of the festival. “This is something new for us to give them more to do and create a special space for them, because I think teenagers don’t get enough of places that are theirs and are clean, wholesome and fun.”
Organizers of the festival added two dances that are only for those 21 and under, literally making those dances for teenagers only. The teen contra dance will take place Saturday afternoon, while a swing dance for teens only will begin Saturday evening. Even the band at the contra dance is made up of teenagers, making it a “teens playing for teens” atmosphere.
A Teen Jam Showcase will also take place, giving teens a space to show off their dancing talents, followed by an Ultimate Disco Dance Party. Older teenagers will also find interest in this year’s first-ever Techno Contra Dance Party, which doesn’t even begin until 12:30 a.m. Saturday night.
The Flurry Festival will have much more to offer than a teen lineup, though: 400 performers will sprawl through five venues, multiple workshop rooms, and over 250 events in festival headquarters at the Saratoga Springs City Center and Saratoga Hilton Hotel, with more performances and workshops scheduled at the Saratoga Music Hall, Café Lena, and the Parting Glass Pub.
In addition to the dances, performances and workshops, the festival will also have storytelling activities for all ages.
“There’s a real variety—there’s a lot geared toward younger kids and families,” Flanders said. “We have story crafters who come and they’re fantastic story tellers, so in the early morning and afternoon there will be more stories for younger people, but then on Saturday evening we’ll get into more adult storytelling with things like a workshop on how to tell a good ghost story.”
The festival will also bring in dancers and teachers from all around the world to teach different styles of dance.
“Because it’s an international dance festival, we do incorporate Israeli and Scandinavian styles, dancers from India, salsa, tango and waltzes,” Flanders said. “We like to expand beyond the Capital Region for some of those specialized dances, and we look for those who offer something special and unique.”
Dance instructor Mutato will bring a fusion of American Folk styles with Brazilian Forro, while Veena and Devesh Chandra from both North and South India will teach workshops on classical dances of South India. House and Hip Hop Dance workshops will be taught by internationally known urban dancer Junious Brickhouse, the Teen Swing Infusion dance will have instruction from Manhattan based instructor Emily Vanston. African drumming and dance will take place with Ubaka Hill and Badjo Dance and Drum, a body percussion workshop will be taught by international dance and body percussionist Matthew Olwell, and Saratoga SAVOY will hold the Ultimate Disco Party.
Caffé Lena and Parting Glass pub will also have running musical entertainment for festival-goers starting off on Friday night with an Open Mic Night at Caffé Lena from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Throughout the weekend, these two festival sites will host several performances from a variety of world music and dance performers.
Whether you’re a lifelong dancer or just a beginner looking to have a good time, Flanders said there will be activities for people of all ages and all dancing levels.
“Friday night and Saturday morning will be introductory lessons for people who want to learn a new dance style who can then progress into some of the bigger dances through the weekend after they get the basics down,” Flanders said. “You don’t need to know how to do any of it. We’ll teach you and you don’t even have to have a partner.”
Festival hours are as follows: Friday, February 15 from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.; Saturday, February 16 from 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Sunday, February 17 from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Advanced tickets have sold out, but regular tickets will be available at the ticket booth at the City Center all weekend long. For more information on ticket prices and ticket booth hours, visit the festival’s website at www.flurryfestival.org.
“There’s something for everyone—you don’t have to dance or be young and in good shape,” Flanders said. “You just need to come ready to have a good time and have an open mind.”
