CDSS News - Country Dance & Song Society

CDSS News Issues

The CDSS News is a print publication and, in a slightly shorter format, an online publication. Below are articles and other material from the most recent issues. We hope you find it informative, thought-provoking, and entertaining. Please contact us if you have comments or questions.

Our Upcoming Events calendar of workshops, balls, special events, weeks, and weekends throughout North America, is only available online. There is no charge for a simple listing (date, event name, town/state, sponsoring group's name, contact info); send to events@cdss.org .

To submit letters, articles, dances, tunes and songs for possible publication, send to news@cdss.org. Information about advertising (print edition only) is here. To receive the printed newsletter as a benefit of CDSS membership, join here.

All material in the CDSS News is copyrighted by CDSS, the individual author or the original publication and may not be reproduced--other than for personal use--without permission. Views expressed represent those of the authors and not necessarily of CDSS.

CDSS News Summer 2018

(photo by Doug Plummer)

Articles

WEB EXTRA:

Watch Don Bell's English country dance videos on his YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/donwfbell/videosdonwfbell/videos

Advocating for our Arts: CDSS and the North American Conversation on Participatory Arts
Annual Meeting Looks to the Future of CDSS, by John Seto and Craig Meltzner
A Couple Left the Set While We Were Dancing: Tips on Recovery, by Laura Brodian Freas Beraha
Milestones: Traditional Dance, Music, and Song Groups Celebrating Anniversaries

WEB EXTRA:

Watch Peter and Mary Alice Amidon tell a story through song during the April 21st community dance event

Dances

David Ward's Waltz, by Anita Anderson
English Country Dance: Waltzing with Gaye, or Madame Fifer's Inauguration, by Beverly Francis

WEB EXTRA:

Waltzing with Gaye - dance instructions
Waltzing with Gaye - tune

Two Contra Tunes — The Alligator's Dentist, and Gator Boots for Jolie, from the 2018 Stellar Days & Nights tune writing workshop

WEB EXTRA:

See the dances being called by Gaye Fifier at the close of Stellar Days & Nights (video by Wendy Graham): youtube.com/watch?v=aHcWd3a4ENw&t=20s
Listen to the tunes on Soundcloud:
Alligator’s Dentist: soundcloud.com/marana-1-1/alligators-dentist
Gator Boots for Jolie: soundcloud.com/marana-1-1/gator-boots-for-jolie

Last Page

Back Cover (photo by Jeffrey Bary)

CDSS News Spring 2018

(photo by Jeffrey Bary)

Masthead

Masthead

Letters and Announcements

Letters and Announcements

Columns

Marketing Tips—Old School News Releases Still Work, by Lisa C. Brown and David N. Boyer, Country Dancers of Rochester
Balance and Sing (Store Update)
CDSS Sings — The Cowboy, by Martha Burns

WEB EXTRAS:

Listen to Glenn Ohrlin sing the song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv0bx6csjbc

News from Canada—A Survey of Canadian Traditional Dance, Music, and Song Organizers

WEB EXTRAS:

US Organizers - Take the follow up survey by April 13, 2018
Join the new Organizers email list

Tell Me More — Hombey House, by Graham Christian

Articles

Outreach Far and Wide—News from CDSS Grant Recipients in Karlsruhe, Germany, and Hindman, Kentucky
Wild Rose Garland Continues the Tradition, by Mikki Tint
Running Behind: Rush to Catch Up or Not?, by Laura Brodian Freas Beraha

Dances

Atossa's Gift—English Country Dance by Scott Higgs; tune (Love for Three Generations) by Clara Byom (see links below)

WEB EXTRAS:

Watch Katy German call the dance at Berea Christmas School, December 2017: https://www.facebook.com/john.newsome.399/videos/10215667547627101/

Love for Three Generations tune in Eb
Love for Three Generations tune in F

Lighter Than Air —Waltz Circle Mixer by Susan English; tune (Lighter Than Air Waltz) by Daniel Engle
Caroline's Stellar Stomp—Contra Dance by Wendy Graham; tune (Eleanor's Jig) by Adam Nordell of Sassafras Stomp

WEB EXTRAS:

Caroline’s Stellar Stomp set to Sassafras Stomp’s Eleanor’s Jig played by Uncle Farmer at Stellar Days & Nights: https://www.facebook.com/perkypantsdance/videos/1649223015154751/

Last Page

Back Cover (photos by Jeffrey Bary, Doug Plummer, Carl Friedman, and Simon Chambers)

New and Noteworthy

June Song of the Month

songtagcloud sm June Song of the Month
The Song of the Month is a regular feature of our website and Judy Cook continues to curate this column throughout 2018. Check out the song archive and discover June's tune, "Earl o' Bran."

U.S. Organizers Survey

Take part in the US Organizers Survey
We want to hear from US organizers! What are your challenges? What are you proud of? How can CDSS best serve you? To let us know, take a few minutes to complete this quick survey. And thank you for all that you do to bring more dance, music, and song into the world. Survey deadline is April 13th.

Camp Scholarship Update

Camp Scholarship Update
Need financial help coming to camp this summer? CDSS will continue to offer scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds remain. You can apply as part of the online camp registration form, or fill out the separate scholarship form. For more information, see the scholarship page.

Roy Dommett's Morris Notes

roy dommett new note Roy Dommett's Morris Notes Now Available Online!
We are thrilled to announce that the treasure trove that is Roy Dommett's Morris Notes is now accessible online. Read more about this project and explore this incredible resource.

2018 Camp Registration Is Now Open!

2018 Camp Registration Is Open!
Make plans to join us at your favorite camp week, experience a new week or mini-course, or try camp for the first time... Check out our full list of summer camp programs and register today!

2018 Lifetime Contribution Award Recipient Announced

2018 Lifetime Contribution Award Recipient Announced
Dance leader, organizer, choreographer, and mentor Bill Alkire has been named the 2018 recipient of the CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award. Read more about this remarkable man and his lifelong contributions to traditional dance.

Meet Our New Executive Director

Meet Our New Executive Director
In September 2017, Katy German joined us as Executive Director, and we are thrilled to have her with us! Read more about Katy and the experience and passion she brings to CDSS.

Judson/Foster Fund Established

judson foster Judson/Foster Fund Established
CDSS has developed a new educational initiative — the Mary Judson/Brad Foster English Dancer Teachers Fund. Read more about it — including how to support the fund — here.

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