Celebrate the Winter Solstice Appalachian-Style on North Flatbush

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — You don't have to drive to the Kentucky to enjoy the region's culture, courtesy of a holiday celebration being coordinated this year by the North Flatbush Business Improvement District.

The BID will be host "Flatfoot Flatbush" on Dec. 21 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., a way to thank Park Slope businesses while also celebrating one of the country's unique musical and dance traditions.

First, at 4 p.m., dancer Megan Downes, who leads the City Stompers dance troupe, will host a free flatfooting workshop at M&T Bank, located at 354 Flatbush Ave.

Flatfooting, for those unfamiliar, is also known as "Appalachian clogging," a form of tap dancing performed to Southern Appalachian fiddle music:

The event is part of a larger musical celebration of the Winter Solstice coordinated by the non-profit Make Music New York. Anyone is welcome to join in to learn the dancing style, or to bring along a musical instrument and try their hand at the songs that go along with it, courtesy of the Flatfoot Flatbush Band. (You can listen to samples of their playlist here, or email nicholasehorner@gmail.com by Dec. 18 to get sheet music versions.)

Then, starting at at 5 p.m., the BID, the Stompers, the Band will dance and play their way up and down Flatbush Avenue, serenading local businesses. The musical parade will also be open to anyone, from participants to spectators.

Finally, at 6:30 p.m., the BID will host a holiday party at Rose's, located at 295 Flatbush Ave., where there will be even more music and dancing. Attendees are invited to bring an unwrapped child's gift or book which will be donated to Park Slope Toys for Tots.

If you have any questions, stop by the BID's website, or call them at 718-783-1685.

Top image courtesy of Make Music New York