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Boston Tea DART-yOctober 31–November 2, 2025
Porter & Davis Squares DART (Dancing America Rapper Tournament) is the premier rapper sword dance competition in North America. Rapper sword dancing is an exciting, fast-paced, and highly unique form of traditional English dance involving metal blades, percussive stepping, and intricate figures.
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Some info is below, with more detailed information for participants on the Schedule Page and in the participant packet.
Friday, Oct 31, 8pm–10:30pm
Cambridge Masonic Temple
1950 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 Open to all!
Featuring Alex Cumming, Donal Sheets, and Laurel Swift! Sound by Steven Bluestein $20 entry fee. People registering for DART with a rapper team do not need to purchase tickets for the ceilidh. Ticket sales are for the public. |
Saturday, Nov 1, 1pm–3pm
Open to all!
McCarthy's & Toad
1920 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140 Joe Sent Me
2388 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140 Redbones (downstairs)
55 Chester St, Somerville, MA 02144 Orleans
65 Holland St, Somerville, MA 02144 |
Rapper Workshop
Sunday, Nov 2, 1pm–4pm
Cambridge Masonic Temple
1950 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 Rapper Sword Dancing Workshop ($25)
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Inspired by the British competitions, Dancing England Rapper Tournament, we brought the idea of a rapper competition to the U.S. for the first Dancing AMERICA Rapper Tournament in October 2010. DART seeks to bring together sword teams from the U.S., Canada, England, and as far afield as possible to celebrate the talent, innovation, and new ideas of sword dancing and honor its deeply rooted traditions. The weekend aims to be a friendly gathering of sword teams with the added bonus of the rapper competition. The competition is open to all rapper sword teams - regardless of age or experience. There are prizes in many categories, workshops, good food, and plenty of time for socializing.
What is rapper sword dancing?
Check out this YouTube playlist put together by the Sword Dancing Archive!
Artwork by Fiona Rogers 2025.
