OLD FORGE — “Community dances are for everybody ... for all members of the family,” promises national hammered dulcimer champion Dan Duggan.

The Old Forge Library and View Center for Arts and Culture are collaborating to present a Community Dance at 7 p.m. Friday, March 31 at View, 3273 Route 28. Duggan and the trio High on the Hog will keep guests moving with live old time string band music featuring hammered dulcimer, fiddle, banjo, guitar and bass. 

Duggan himself will teach and call circle, square, reel and contra dances. 

He has an extensive catalog of recordings and his dulcimer talents are spotlighted on Paul Simon’s Grammy Award-nominated album “You’re the One” and “The Paul Simon Collection.” High on the Hog is a three-piece band featuring Marion Hoelzel, Bill Chamberlain and Tyler Dezago who play old time tunes and country classics.

“The four of us have a great sound together,” Duggan said.

Duggan has worked with both the library and View separately and said he is glad to be able to work with both of them together for the Community Dance.

“It is nice to see they are doing programs together,” he said. “There hasn’t been a Community Dance in that area and I am looking forward to it.”

The event is free, fun and family-friendly, and no prior dance experience is needed. View will provide snacks and a cash bar. Spectators who might not want to dance — at least initially — are welcome to come and listen from the sidelines as well, Duggan said.

“It is set up so everyone will feel comfortable coming to the dance,” Duggan said. “And anyone who wants to dance will be able to learn very quickly.”

The Community Dance is funded by Traditional Arts in Upstate NY (TAUNY), thanks to funding from the Creatives Rebuild NY Grant. TAUNY is the north country’s only non-profit organization dedicated to identifying, recording and preserving the rich, living cultural heritage of the region.