Flurry Festival back in Saratoga Springs for 36th year

BY SHENANDOAH BRIERE
Hundreds of dancers are expected to get their groove on this weekend as the 36th annual Flurry Festival takes over the Saratoga Springs City Center and Hilton Hotel, as well as the Music Hall inside City Hall and The Parting Glass.

The festival, which will run from Friday through Sunday, was founded by Paul Rosenberg. The first event in 1988 was just one day and held in Westmere Elementary School in Guilderland, according to the event’s website. Over the years the event has grown, with roughly 400 performers and 4,500 attendees, according to its website.

“I feel like the proud father — or now grandfather — of this festival and I just love seeing people enjoying themselves, and not just enjoying themselves but ecstatic about what they’re doing at the festival, just this amazing bonding, this amazing community,” Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg retired from organizing the event in 2005 but still dances and performs as a musician during the festival.

The event offers attendees a chance to watch or join in traditional dances and music such as swing, contra, Latin and Appalachian. Rosenberg said he will be a caller for some of the dances.

The festival will feature 221 sessions, including concerts, instrument workshops and storytelling, said Kathleen Crayne, the event’s marketing manager.

Crayne, a swing dancer, has been attending the festival since 2007. She said the swing dancing class is back this year.

“It’s already sold out, which is very exciting,” she said. “The instructors are coming up from New York City and have competed in international competitions, and are very popular in the swing dancing world, so that is something that we are really looking forward to.”

Crayne said her favorite part of the festival is being able to check out other classes, even if it’s not a genre you’ve participated in previously.

“It’s really fascinating, and you can really start to see how the music and the dancing through traditions have some similarities and overlaps,” she said.

Crayne said she’s excited to check out the West African dance session.

“The roots of swing dancing actually come from African dancing,” she said.

“I took a class last year and I got to really experience the similarities, so that’s very cool.”

She’s also eager to check out the belly dancer who joined the festival in 2021 via a virtual event.

Rosenberg said one of his favorite parts of the event is actually the last 15-minute dance, which he gets to call.

“Emotions are so high, people are just at the peak of ecstasy. There’s no feeling like it,” he said. “I remember in earlier flurries, sometimes the music and dancing is just so amazing I would break down and cry.”

Anyone can be part of the festival, according to a news release from the organization.

“It’s a very welcoming environment, “said Jonathan Greene, program curator, in the release. “People are just happy to be here and to share their interests. Different types of participatory dances are done solo, partnered or in community groups, and there’s no need to come with a partner, as switching is common for many styles.”

The festival is also family-friendly, with events for children, and the event is free for those under age 12.

Rosenberg said it’s been great seeing younger people get involved in the event.

However, while the event attracts many people from all over the country and some from around the world, he said he’d like to see more local people participate in the festival.

Tickets for the flurry will be available for purchase at the door throughout the weekend and vary in cost based on age and the day of attendance. More information can be found at www.flurryfestival.org.