UChicago Folk Fest, past (1984) + present (Feb 20-21, 2026)

 The 66th Annual University of Chicago Folk Festival is coming up, Feb 20-21, 2026.  http://www.uofcfolk.org/   The workshop schedule doesn't seem to be posted yet, but there are usually a number of dance workshops.  See the Saturday workshop schedule for a number of dance workshops, including Scandinavian, International, Cajun, Barn, Morris, and Balkan

I happened to come across this UChicago News article from 2024, which includes a photo from a dance workshop at the 1984 festival, in which you may see some folks you recognize from the Argonne group back in the day:

Beyond the music: Folk Festival’s rich tradition at UChicago | University of Chicago News  

And, further in the past, another discovery while web-surfing, in a folk dance newsletter from 1972,  SoCal-FD-Fed-FolkDanceScene_1972_08.pdf , there was this item about folk dancing in Chicago back then:

 

Univ of Chicago Folk Festival Feb 14-15 2020

Here's something to do on Valentine's Day weekend:
http://uofcfolk.org
The 60th annual University of Chicago Folk Festival
Concert Friday Feb 14, 8pm, at Mandel Hall, 1131 E. 57th St. Chicago, IL 60637; workshops Saturday Feb 15, 10am-5pm, at Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637.

The schedule & details aren't finalized on the website yet, but we've heard that Chicago Spelmanslag will be playing for Scandinavian dancing taught by John Parrish at a Saturday morning workshop.

The Chicago chapter of the American Recorder Society will also have a Saturday morning session, if you want to play or learn about recorders.

University of Chicago Folk Festival - Feb 11-13

http://www.uofcfolk.org/

The schedule includes a number of dance workshops, including Scandinavian, Irish, English, Welsh, Cajun, Klezmer, and barn dancing.

University of Chicago Folk Festival. February 6-8, 2009

The 49th Annual U. of C. Folk Festival will be Feb. 6-8, 2009.
Click here for more info.

UofChgo Folk Festival Feb 8-10 2008

Click here for more info. Looks like there will be a number of dance workshops, including:

Like to Dance? Then come to the Folk Festival Contra in the beautiful Ida Noyes Third Floor Theater. Featuring great LIVE MUSIC from folk festival performer New Bad Habits . All dances taught!
Calling by Dot Kent. Presented by the University of Chicago Folklore Society

Date: Sunday, February 10
Time: Dancing 3 pm - 5 pm
Location: Ida Noyes Hall, Cloister Club 1212 East 59th Street. Click here for a map.

Note, Saturday Feb 9, there will also be a Cajun Dance from 1:30-3:30, with the Lafayette Rhythm Devils and a Ceilidh Dance from 3:30 - 5 pm with Culrua. Ed Heffernan calling. See the workshops page for details.

Daytime workshops, which are apparently free, include Scandinavian Dance (John Parrish & Mary Allsopp),
Waltz Workshop, English Country Dance (Tom Senior), Cajun Dance, Ceilidh & Set Dance, Balkan Dance (Georgine Paris of EDC), Middle Eastern Dance, Israeli Dance, Yiddish Dance, European Traditional Dance, Irish Dance, Bhangra...