What’s New

Save the date!
Sunday, January 25
4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT)
Join us for rousing community singing led by the creators of Rise Up Singing, Annie Patterson and Peter Blood, and a screening of We Began to Sing, a documentary about Peter and Annie and Pete Seeger by Polly Wells and Candida Paltiel.

Support staff positions are now open at all of our camp locations. Most jobs are for single camp sessions, which are 4-7 days long. If you’re interested in a longer commitment, check out the two 6-week positions at Pinewoods.
We’d love to have you join our 2026 camp team! Learn more about open positions and apply here.

This episode of From the Mic features Bill Olson, a contra and square dance caller, guitarist, and dance composer. It’s a fascinating look into the mind of someone who has dedicated himself to keeping these traditions alive in Maine and everywhere.

Episode 4 of the Flying Shoes Radio Hour involves chatting (and laughing) with the Quebecois band Genticorum. Listen and subscribe!

We are delighted to announce that David Millstone of Lebanon, NH, is the recipient of the 2026 CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award. David is a dancer, caller, teacher, historian, and leader specializing in contra dance, New England squares, and English country dance.

We’re excited to announce that our long-running song sharing archive is now accepting submissions! Have a favorite song that works at pub sings, song circles, and other community singing events? Share it here!

Tim Edwards introduces the Child ballad “James Harris,” also known as “The Demon Lover” or “The House Carpenter.” He writes: “The story of the lost love reappearing after the traditional 7 years in demonic form captivated me.”

From the Mic is back! This episode features Lindsey Dono. Lindsey is a mainstay on the national contra circuit, and has been on staff at camps, weeks, and festivals for over a decade. She is known for her precise teaching and welcoming stage presence.

Bob Bovee introduces “Back to My Wyoming Home.” Bob says that it’s an old-time song, not an “authentic” cowboy song, but it evokes the mood of a cowboy singing by a campfire.

Thank you for all your support this year! Please enjoy this concert with Supertrad, featuring Stuntology with Sam Bartlett.

Join Diane Silver this fall (Tuesdays, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11) for a free three-part online workshop on building community culture and safety guidelines for your local dance, music, and song events. Learn more and register!

Joel Mabus presents his original song “Panhandle Prairie,” a Dust Bowl ghost story. Folklorists would find it similar to “The Unfortunate Rake,” “The Dying Cowboy,” and others.