What’s New

• Now accepting nominations for the 2027 Lifetime Contribution Award!

  Learn more or make a nomination. Nominations for the 2027 award are due by March 1.

• Rise Up Singing!: An Online Celebration of Song

  Sunday, January 25
  4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT)
  Join us for rousing community singing led by the creators of Rise Up Singing, Annie Patterson and Peter Blood, and a screening of We Began to Sing, a documentary about Peter and Annie and Pete Seeger by Polly Wells and Candy Paltiel. Register or learn more!

• Contra Callers’ Corner

  New in 2026! Contra Callers’ Corner is a series of free monthly Zoom calls for contra callers of all levels. It’s a place to ask questions, network, and address hot topics from your local dance community in a safe space. 

  Hosted by Seth Tepfer
  Featuring Lisa Greenleaf
  Wednesday, January 14
  8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT)
  Register here

• Advertise in the News this Year

  We’re excited to share that the December issue of the CDSS News is returning! This issue will feature ads for 2027 events, plus dances, puzzles, and other fun! Ad reservations for all three 2026 issues are available now. See deadlines and rates here.

• January 2026 Song of the Month

  Judy Cook introduces “Three Men of Gotham,” a poem by Thomas Love Peacock set to the tune “Courtiers.” The three men set sail in a bowl to try to rake the moon from the sea—but are they foolish or wise?

• The Flying Shoes Radio Hour Episode 5: Trip to Norwich

  This episode, Chrissy sits down with the wonderful Carol Compton and Thal Aylward of Trip to Norwich to talk about the wild paths each of them have taken to playing English country dance and contra and contra music and where they are today. The conversation takes place in between a range of original and traditional tunes played by the duo. Listen and subscribe!