
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. Learn more
What’s New
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.
2022 CDSS T-shirt
We’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 Page
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.
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.
August 2022 Song of the Month
Bob Bovee introduces “Yuba Dam,” an old-time song with a humorous tale of verbal misunderstandings.
In our history, CDSS has…
fostered 108 years of tradition
published 87 hours of podcasts
sold well over 50,000 morris bells
bestowed 30 Lifetime Contribution Awards
In the past year, CDSS has…
added over 60 repertoire resources for callers
published over 550 calendar events
hosted over 1,093 campers
awarded 11 grants for local communities and special projects
Upcoming Community Events