An arts collective
Folk dance, music, and storytelling rooted in heritage and the turning of the seasons.
A community dance circle · Rockford, Illinois
Forest City
Dance Circle
Folklore, heritage, and belonging, carried in the oldest shape there is — a ring of people moving together under the moon.
You belong in the circle.
Who we are
Mission-driven, community-rooted,
open to everyone.
We're a volunteer collective in Northern Illinois that weaves dance, live music, and storytelling into welcoming performances and workshops. No experience, no special clothes, no audition — just people who want to move, gather, and belong.
Community-driven
Volunteer-led and built for every age, background, and ability. Newcomers welcome at every gathering.
Heritage in motion
A cultural arts and education mission serving Rockford and the wider Northern Illinois region.
The dance we keep
The Hexentanz, retold through community.
The Hexentanz — the "witches' dance" — comes from German and Central European folklore: midwinter-to-spring gatherings that chase off the dark half of the year with fire, music, and bodies moving in a ring.
We keep the parts that have always mattered — the moon, the circle, the welcome — and reclaim the rest as a celebration of empowerment, nature, and belonging. Anyone can step in.
Bring the story to your venueWhere it comes from
Seasonal celebrations marking the turn from winter to spring, full of community, music, and theatre.
What it looks like
Brooms and lanterns, circular formations, and regional costume traditions — staged for today's audiences.
What it means now
Old witch imagery reclaimed as strength, kinship, and a standing invitation to join the ring.
Programs & impact
The magic begins when we move as one.
From a school gym to a farmers' market, we bring dance to where the community already is — and we keep the door open with sliding-scale and free programming.
Workshops & classesDrop-in sessions, school residencies, and community classes for every level.
PerformancesFestivals, libraries, senior centers, and markets across Northern Illinois.
Open to allSliding-scale fees, free public shows, and adaptive choreography by design.
Find your place
Dance, help, give, or just come watch —
there's a spot for you.
Dancers
Every level welcome, from never-danced-a-step to seasoned performer. We teach as we go.
Express interestVolunteers
Sew costumes, build props, run a table, shoot photos, or help set up. Many hands make the magic.
Lend a handSponsors
Partner with us to keep community arts alive and accessible across the region.
Become a sponsorBook the circle
Bring us to your festival, school, or celebration.
We shape each performance and workshop around your space and your audience — indoors or out, ten minutes or a full afternoon.
- Seasonal folk-dance performances
- School, library, and senior-center programs
- Hands-on workshops and community events
- Sliding-scale options for schools and partners
What's coming up
Performances & workshops
Upcoming gatherings
Our next performance is scheduled for October 24, 2026. Follow our socials for more details.
Support community arts
Keep the circle turning.
Your support covers costumes, props, rehearsal space, live music, and the free and low-cost programming that keeps our events open to everyone.
Forest City Dance Circle is not currently a registered nonprofit. Contributions are appreciated but are not tax-deductible charitable donations.
Good to know
Questions, answered
New to community folk dance in Rockford? Here's what people ask us most.
Do I need experience?
No. Every level is welcome, from never-danced-a-step to seasoned performer. There's no audition and no special clothing — we teach as we go, at every gathering.
What is the Hexentanz?
The "witches' dance" from German and Central European folklore — midwinter-to-spring gatherings that chase off the dark with fire, music, and a moving ring. We keep the moon, the circle, and the welcome, and reclaim the rest as belonging.
Where do you perform?
Festivals, libraries, schools, senior centers, and farmers' markets across Rockford and the wider Northern Illinois region — we bring dance to where the community already is.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes, and we also feature free public shows so events stay open to everyone.
How do we book the Circle?
Send a request through the booking form or email us directly. We shape each performance and workshop around your space and audience — indoors or out, ten minutes or a full afternoon.
How much does it cost to attend?
Many public performances are free, and workshops use sliding-scale pricing. Community support covers costumes, props, rehearsal space, and live music so programming stays affordable.
Say hello
Ready to dance, help, book, or partner?
Tell us how you'd like to be part of the Circle and we'll be in touch.