Do I need experience to join Forest City Dance Circle?

No. Every level is welcome, from never-danced-a-step to seasoned performer. There is no audition and no special clothing required — we teach as we go, at every gathering.

How do we book the Circle for a festival, school, or event?

Send a booking request through the form on this site or email forestcitydancecircle@gmail.com. We shape each performance and workshop around your space and audience — indoors or out, ten minutes or a full afternoon.

How do I become a vendor at the Witch Faire?

Apply through the vendor application on this site. The Witch Faire marketplace is curated and juried — applications are reviewed for quality and originality, fit with the theme, booth presentation, variety across the lineup, and available space, so applying does not guarantee acceptance. The vendor fee is $25, with 8-foot booth spaces available. Apply early; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and unselected applicants may be waitlisted.

Can I sell food at the Witch Faire?

Food vendors — food trucks, bakers, cider and hot-drink sellers, and similar — are arranged separately from the curated marketplace application. Email forestcitydancecircle@gmail.com to inquire about participating, including what you serve, your setup and power needs, and your licensing.

Forest City Dance Circle

Q: What is the Hexentanz?

The Hexentanz, or “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 moon, the circle, and the welcome, and reclaim the rest as a celebration of empowerment, nature, and belonging.

Q: Where do you perform around Rockford and Northern Illinois?

We bring dance to where the community already is — festivals, libraries, schools, senior centers, and farmers’ markets across Rockford and the wider Northern Illinois region.

Q: How much does it cost to attend?

Many of our public performances are free, and workshops use sliding-scale pricing. Community support covers costumes, props, rehearsal space, and live music so programming stays affordable.

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.

Members of the Forest City Dance Circle in dark seasonal costume, holding decorated brooms and staffs, gathered together at an event space in Rockford, Illinois. — The circle, gathered — brooms and all.

An arts collective

Folk dance, music, and storytelling rooted in heritage and the turning of the seasons.

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 venue

Where 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.

Forest City Dance Circle performing outdoors in costume at a community festival in Northern Illinois. — Performing outdoors at a community festival

Costumed dancers of the Forest City Dance Circle performing together outdoors before a crowd. — Dancing before a crowd

Forest City Dance Circle members mid-dance outdoors at a seasonal community event. — Mid-dance at a seasonal gathering

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 interest

Volunteers

Sew costumes, build props, run a table, shoot photos, or help set up. Many hands make the magic.

Lend a hand

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

Sat, Oct 24, 2026 · 4:00–9:00 PM

2026 Witch Faire

130 N. First Street, Rockford, IL · Free admission — all ages

An evening of seasonal magic and celebration in downtown Rockford. Come wander, watch, and gather with us.

A curated vendor marketplace
Performances
Community gathering
Seasonal magic and celebration

Full details & schedule Vendor applications are open Want to help out at the Faire?

Call for vendors

Bring your craft to the Witch Faire.

We're gathering artists, makers, practitioners, and small businesses to share intentionally crafted goods, creative work, and spiritual traditions with the community — one evening, one marketplace, one very good crowd. The Faire embraces an autumnal, mystical atmosphere, but it is not a Halloween event.

Full guidelines, what we're looking for, and the application are on the Witch Faire page.

Food vendors are arranged separately from the marketplace — email forestcitydancecircle@gmail.com to inquire about participating.

Apply to vend See the full Witch Faire

At a glance

Vendor fee: $25
Booth specifications: 8-foot space
Selection: Curated & juried
Faire date: Sat, Oct 24, 2026 · 4–9 PM
Best-dressed prize: $50 — most witchy vendor

Ask a question first Food vendor inquiry

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.

Ways to support

Contribute Sponsor inquiry Come to an event

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 do I become a vendor?

Apply through the vendor application above. The marketplace is curated and juried, so applying isn't the same as being accepted — we're balancing quality, theme fit, and variety against limited space. The fee is $25, and early applications get the most consideration.

Can I sell food at the Faire?

Food trucks, bakers, and hot-drink sellers are arranged separately from the curated marketplace. Email forestcitydancecircle@gmail.com with what you serve and your setup needs to inquire about participating.

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.

Forest City
Dance Circle