Folk Feet on Fifth: Neighborhood Dance Traditions of Sunset Park and Bay Ridge

Folk Feet on Fifth is part of the BAC Folk Arts' Folk Feet traditional dance project begun in 2003 to identify, document and present traditional dance in Brooklyn. Folk Feet on Fifth focuses on the neighborhood specific dance traditions of Brooklyn's Sunset Park and Bay Ridge. It aims to reinvigorate traditional dance and facilitate cultural networks throughout these two neighborhoods, which are linked by the lively 5th Avenue corridor, from Greenwood Cemetery to the Verrazano. Highlighted dance traditions tied to community places and to neighborhood populations include Mexican folkdances performed at Sunset Park churches for the Feast Day of la Virgin de Guadalupe, Palestinian debke lines at El Widdi banquet hall weddings, and Swedish schottisches danced at St. Lucia's celebration at the historic Danish Athletic Club. You can view excerpts from Folk Feet on Fifth's Video Documentation Series, Dance in the Neighborhood online, or hire one of several dance teachers based in the 5th Avenue neighborhoods through Folk Feet Dance Workshops.

Click here to explore our Past Folk Feet Events.

Brooklyn's traditional dancers involved in Folk Feet continue to be involved in BAC activites through Folk Feet Dance Workshops, BAC Folk Arts, Arts in Education as well as other projects.