We're planning to open registration on December 1st. To get notified when it goes live, you can sign up here.

Performers

Callers

Bands

Venue

Cambridge Masonic Hall
1950 Mass Ave Cambridge MA (map)

Schedule

Beantown Stomp 2026 runs from the evening of Friday March 13th through the afternoon of Sunday March 15th and is followed, in the same hall, by BIDA's 3rd Sunday regular evening dance.

We have two spaces this year:

We'll share the full schedule when it's ready.

Pricing

We want people to be able to come regardless of means, so we're offering a sliding scale of $45-$120.

We're predicting our break-even figure will be about $65/person, and the more you're able to contribute the more we're able to pay our musicians and let others attend below cost.

Any money that the weekend makes above breaking even will be split between BIDA and our musicians and callers.

Unfamiliar with sliding scales? Money is a social construct, right? But also, its effects are very real: we need it to buy food, pay rent, get to dance weekends, pay talented musicians for creating magic that brings us together, etc. etc. So a sliding scale is a way of accommodating different incomes and asking you, the dancers, to take account of what kind of financial situation you're experiencing, and pay accordingly. Here are some examples:

Gender and Roles

All calling will be gender-free, with Larks/Robins terms. The bathrooms will also not be gendered. This event is not gender or role balanced, and anyone is welcome to dance either or both roles.

Food

Meals

You can bring food, buy food at the supermarket across the street, or eat at one of the many nearby restaurants. There is refrigerator and freezer space available at the hall, as well as a microwave. We're planning on breaks for lunch and dinner on Saturday.

Snacks

There will be plenty of snacks at the hall, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. There will be light snacks out most of the time, and more substantial snacks Sunday around lunchtime.

Housing

Housing isn't included, but we expect to set something up to try and help out-of-town dancers match with local dancers who are willing to host.

Transportation

Public Transit

Public transit is a great way to get to and from the hall, which is at the Porter Square stop on the Red Line Subway, the Fitchburg Line Commuter Rail, and the 77, 83, 87, and 96 buses. For detailed directions and schedules Google Maps works well: Cambridge Masonic Hall.

Driving

Friday and Saturday:

The parking lot at the Kennedy School (map) a short walk away is free to use when school is not in session.

Parking meters on Mass Ave or at metered municipal lots in Davis Sq.

Sunday:

All parking meters and residential spaces are free on Sunday.

Please don't park in the big shopping center lot across the street from the hall, because they tow.

Accessibility

See BIDA's general accessibility information; note that the venue is not wheelchair accessible. Unlike BIDA's regular evening dances, this event is low-fragrance.

Covid

We'll require proof of a negative covid rapid test taken on Friday. You'll show your test or a photo of it when you check in. Masks will not be required, but are certainly welcome. In line with BIDA's policy, vaccination is also not required. Please don't attend if you're at all sick, with anything! We'll fully refund any cancellations due to illness. Let's have a healthy dance weekend!

We'll also be using far-UVC light to clean the air, again following BIDA's policy.

Refund Policy

We'll refund you for any reason, if we can fill your place. Refunds will not include Venmo's fee (usually under $2).

If you become symptomatic (of anything!) or test positive for COVID, we will refund you fully—Don't come if you're sick!

Childcare

Childcare will be available Saturday daytime after the family dance (with the exception of lunch) and all day Sunday.

Volunteering

We will have a limited number of SuperVolunteer roles who get free admission to the weekend in exchange for a larger time commitment. You can sign up for most smaller volunteer roles at check in. More details in the registration form.

Saturday Morning

We'll start Saturday off with a family dance to an open band. While this is included in a weekend registration it's also open to all: you can pay at the door with cash or Venmo ($3 for kids, and $5-$20 for everyone else). As always, the open band is free for musicians, though we're happy to take donations! People attending the family dance are also invited to stay until noon to dance the first set of contras.

If you would like to play in the open band, just bring your instrument. It will be very relaxed - no microphones, no arranging, just playing tunes acoustically.

Sponsors

This weekend is a project of Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates.

Questions

Please write to us at beantown-stomp@googlegroups.com

Past Stomps