Bowing to 2025 and Taking Our Next Steps Together

Posted on December 22, 2025 at 9:12 pm by Pete Thompson

Decorated Christmas tree in the foreground with square dancers in the background at Stone Bend Farm in Newfield, New York.
Image from Terry Bloom

“That’s all there is, there ain’t no more.”

After a rollicking Winter Solstice dance at Stone Bend Farm last Friday, FLX Squares has been promenading home. Having hosted the final square dance for 2025, we’re looking keenly ahead to another year of magical square dance fun in the Finger Lakes of New York in 2026.

While winter in the Finger Lakes was making a grand entrance with frigid winds and pitch darkness, the walls of Stone Bend Farm were insulating the heated, hyperkinetic thrum that is a signature of all FLX Squares events.

Enthusiastic dancers packed the greenhouse at Stone Bend Farm in Newfield for the 2025 Winter Solstice community square dance.
Image from Terry Bloom

This time the high-octane tunes were provided by the New Boot Goofs, comprising of veteran area old time musicians: Richie Stearns (banjo), Crystal Calabrese (fiddle), Jerone Gagliano (fiddle), Sally Freund (bass) and Pete Thompson (guitar).

For the first time in FLX Squares history, the dances were called by a cast of three different callers, featuring Marc Faris, Nancy Spero, and Casey Carr.

It was an unforgettable night of community and joy, and overall it served as a celebratory send-off for 2025.

Luckily, eager square dancers in Ithaca and the surrounding areas won’t have to wait long for another wonderful square dance.

The next dance is scheduled for January 16th, 2026 at the Enfield Grange. That will feature music from the June Bugs and will be called by Nancy Spero.

Ithaca High School choir students come together and enjoy a square dance.
Image from Terry Bloom

As usual, the dances at Stone Bend will take a brief hiatus for the winter. The next dance there will be slated for late March.

Be sure to join our mailing list to stay in the loop about future events from FLX Squares.

Thanks so much for making this an amazing community dance scene and we couldn’t do it without you.

Happy New Year to all and here’s to more do-si-dos in 2026!