We connect and support people in building and sustaining vibrant communities through participatory dance, music, and song traditions that have roots in English and North American culture.
CDSS thanks the Massachusetts Cultural Council for its generous support.
New and Noteworthy
Fall 2022 CDSS News
The Fall 2022 CDSS News is now available! Stroll through some English country dances with Paul Ross and Philippe Callens; learn how the Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group celebrated their first 50 years and launched their next; hear Armand Aromin's cheeky response to the question "Have you got a girlfriend yet?"; learn by ear with Lissa Schneckenburger; get ready to Welcome Yule with Louise Doud; and much more.
From the Mic
In episode 7 of From the Mic, Mary talks with caller and choreographer Chris Page, who has called contras and English country dance in San Diego for about 15 years. When calling, his main concern is being serious about dancers not taking themselves too seriously. Along with Michael Dyck, he's turned his obsession with the history of contra dance choreography into something productive through the online database, The Caller's Box. There are lots of fascinating tidbits for callers and choreographers alike in this one. Check it out!
September 2022 Song of the Month
Ed Miller introduces “London Town,” written by the world-renowned fiddler Kevin Burke. The song is a tribute to the many Irish laborers who helped rebuild London after World War II.
Check out the last Web Chat
The video, slideshow, and transcript from our most recent Web Chat are now available. We heard first-hand experiences from two organizers about keeping their song groups alive and well through the pandemic by hosting in-person and online singing events. Our third guest provided the latest COVID-19 news from her public health perspective, offering suggestions especially pertinent for song group organizers. Email us with questions.
Contra Pulse Panel—Mentors and Inspirations
In October 2021, Contra Pulse hosted an online panel discussion as a part of the CDSS series Common Time. In this special event, Julie spoke with four of the contra dance greats—Becky Tracy, Pete Sutherland, Rodney Miller, and Kate Barnes—about who their mentors and inspirations were, and how they’re mentoring and inspiring the next generation of contra musicians. Learn how these musicians fell in love with their craft, hear stories from the early days of touring contra bands, and explore what tradition is and how it is (or isn’t) changing today.
Country Dance + Song Online Volume 3
With the 2022 issue of Country Dance + Song Online, we are excited to present three articles on very different topics, two of them by contributors new to the journal. We will time-travel to three centuries of Anglo-American dance—all different, but all evolutionarily connected. Read more and download the issue.