By Helen Truszkowski
UPSTATE, NEW YORK — Turning one unfortunate historical blip on its head, enter stage left The Happy Haggs Dance Troupe of Central NY. This self-styled “theatrical group of amateur volunteer women, maidens, mothers and crones” unapologetically harness the aging goddess within. Embracing a mixture of pagan and modern customs to create a fascinating spectacle, the group performs as cackling witches with the aim of connecting people to alternative healing techniques, developing spirituality and spreading pure joy. The volunteer dance troupe first got together in 2017 with just 5 dancers, and now has over 25 members.
While it is Hecate, the Greek goddess who presided over witchcraft and magical rites, that is considered the original “Night-Hag,” the classic hook-nosed, warty image of a stereotyped witch surfaced well before gynaecology and obstetrics became professionalized. Back then aging women were systematically branded as ‘witches’ as a result of their unpredictable menopausal symptoms. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, as witch hunts and trials swept throughout Europe, a frenzy of panic gripped the continent. An elderly woman, tagged as an embittered old hag who inflicted her resentment and jealousy on others, had serious moral overtones often resulting in death by burning. This negativity continued well into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Fast forward two hundred years and it was the legendary Wolfshäger Hexenbrut coven of Germany that first jolted The Happy Haggs Dance Troupe interest. Their own inspiration is Germanic folklore, namely Walpurgisnacht, believed to be the night of a witches' meeting on the Brocken: highest peak in the Harz Mountains, a range of rugged wooded hills in northern Germany. When their coven's now-famous witch broom dance "Schüttle deinen Speck” went viral, the Happy Haggs took notice and adapted the choreography for their own spellbinding performances.
Cauldrons, black cats and dark magic aside, of course, the only thing these modern day witches practice is their dance moves. Digging deep and letting their inner witch soar, each dancer comes with their own individual style and flare. The wickedly whimsical witches can be seen performing all over Central New York. Not only do The Happy Haggs Dance Troupe of Central NY give back to the community, but they have also inspired other people to start similar dance groups of their own across the country.
A special Haggs appearance helped mark The Tepee’s 75th anniversary celebration on October 4th. The 2025 annual Witch Walk and Dance will take place in downtown Saratoga Springs on Saturday, October 18th. The Witch Walk started as a Ballston Spa pub crawl in 2005 but has since evolved. This popular event is a fundraiser to benefit local animal organizations. Participants are encouraged to put together their most imaginative "witchy attire," decorating the streets with their over-the-top hats, brooms, and costumes. Each year, the Witch Walk grows more colorful, inclusive, and creative, adding new features like Witches Wander, with flash mob-style dances throughout the day, often teaching a few spectators along the way. To date the event has raised thousands of dollars in donations for animal charities.
As it turns out spreading peace, love and unity all year long through dance has other far reaching benefits. In a study published by the journal of The North American Menopause Society, it was noted that women who dance three times a week changed their body composition and metabolic health all while bolstering their self-esteem. Now that’s a bewitching win-win we can all get behind.
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