
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

Fall 2025 Appeal for Support—please give by December 31!
Together we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are nurturing the living traditions we love.
All donors are entered automatically in a drawing for fabulous prizes!
Photo by Laura Lewis, Cleveland Butterfly Twirl, CDSS Community Grant recipient.
What’s New
October 2022 Song of the MonthMargaret Walters sends us her rendition of “I’ve Lived in Service,” as well as a version by Vic Gammon. The song was collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and it tells the tale of a young servant who strikes a hard bargain with his employer over the maid he loves.
Fall 2022 CDSS NewsThe 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.
2022 CDSS T-shirtWe’re excited to show off our 2022 shirt design! Created by illustrator Marian Bailey, the design is printed on high-quality, 100% cotton, Bella + Canvas shirts, made in the US. Also printed in the US using environmentally-friendly practices and vibrant water-based inks. Get one while they last!
Digitization of the CDSS archives has begun!During our 2015 Centennial Campaign, the CDSS community raised $50,000 to fund digitization efforts for the CDSS collection at the University of New Hampshire. In June of this year, after two and a half years of putting so much on hold for pandemic-related business, CDSS and UNH were able to return attention to the work of making the CDSS archives digitally accessible, and the project is now underway! Read more in the CDSS News.
From the Mic Episode 7: Chris PageIn 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.
September 2022 Song of the MonthEd 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.
In our history, CDSS has…
fostered 110 years of tradition
sold well over 50,000 morris bells
bestowed 34 Lifetime Contribution Awards
published 121 hours of podcasts
In the past year, CDSS has…
hosted over 1,174 campers
added 7 resources for callers and organizers
awarded 20 grants for local communities and special projects
published over 700 calendar events


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Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.