Dancers swing their partners while others clap and smile

Country Dance & Song Society

Individuals nourished and communities strengthened by dancing, singing, and making music together

We connect and support people in building and sustaining vibrant communities through participatory dance, music, and song. We steward the living traditions of English country dance, contra and square dance, morris and sword dance, and the music that is an integral part of these traditions. Learn more

What’s New

  • From the Mic with Diane Silver From the Mic Episode 27: Diane Silver

    This episode of From the Mic features Diane Silver. Diane says: “I love that moment when I can stop calling—when I can pull back, pull back, pull back, and ultimately you’re not calling anymore. And the dancers are just dancing to the music.”

  • Squirrel Butter CDSS Supporter Thanks Concert, Featuring Squirrel Butter!

    Please join us online on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT for a special concert by Squirrel Butter, the traditional music duo of Charlie Beck and Charmaine Slaven. More details on the concert page!

  • Folk Tunes from the Women New in the CDSS Store!

    Folk Tunes from the Women, curated by Kathryn Tickell, is a tune book like no other! This is a bumper book of more than 150 contemporary tunes by 100 unique composers from different areas, traditions, and backgrounds.

    There’s a wide selection of jigs, hornpipes, reels, airs, marches, polkas, waltzes, mazurkas, and more. All tunes are presented as melody lines with chord symbols, making it a useful book for teachers and players alike.

  • Detail from the painting "Interior of a Tavern with Card Players and a Violin Player" by Jan Steen October 2024 Song of the Month

    Peter and Barbara Snape introduce “There Is a Tavern.” Similar to the well-known “Died for Love,” this song is by Lancastrian folk singer Emma Vickers. It is sung to the tune “McCafferty,” very similar to “Lord Franklin,” and has many floating verses.

  • John Roberts, Tony Parkes, and David Surette, recipients of the 2025 Lifetime Contribution Award 2025 Lifetime Contribution Award Recipients

    We are delighted to announce the three recipients of the CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award: John Roberts, Tony Parkes, and David Surette. More info about their award celebrations will be posted later this year.

  • "The Contra Connection" #1 The Contra Connection

    The Contra Connection was a series of articles for organizers and beginning callers by Larry Jennings, Dan Pearl, and Ted Sannella, published in the Country Dance & Song Society News between 1988 and 1995. All 24 articles are now in the Online Library for your perusal.

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CDSS: Country Dance & Song Society Individuals nourished and communities strengthened by dancing, singing, and making music together.