Ken Willson and Kim McKee present “Scarborough Settler’s Lament,” in which an exile to Canada during the Highland Clearances sings about longing for the beauty of Scotland.
On this episode of Contra Pulse, Julie sits down with fiddler Becky Tracy. Becky has been a defining presence in some of the most popular and innovative contra dance bands from New England—Wild Asparagus and Nightingale.
Tim Edwards introduces “Tom o’Bedlam’s Song,” an early 17th-century tune that has been described as the finest anonymous poem in the English language. Tom is a licensed beggar discharged from the Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London (“Bedlam”).
The Winter 2021 CDSS News is now available! Learn about Ignatius Sancho, a country dance composer who started life on a slave ship; dance the Pandemic Waltz; get some tips for weathering the winter together; and remember that “Songs Stay Sung.” Plus much more!
The Country Dance & Song Society is proud to announce that Ed Stern of Minneapolis, MN, is the 2022 recipient of the CDSS Lifetime Contribution Award.
New Historic PhotosNew in the CDSS digital archives! A collection of historic photos (c. 1920s-1960s, many undated) from Pinewoods, morris events in England, and other dance festivals and events. It can be accessed online by anyone and is still growing! From the Milne Special Collections and Archives at the University of New Hampshire.
Fall/Winter 2024 CDSS NewsThe Fall/Winter 2024 issue of CDSS News has arrived! Meet the three recipients of the 2025 Lifetime Contribution Award; dance Mr. Smukler’s Inauguration; solve an ECD emoji puzzle; and much more!
September 2024 Song of the MonthJudy Cook introduces “Waterbound,” a play-party song from Grayson County, Virginia. The earliest known recording was 1929 by the Grayson County Railsplitters, and Judy shares a 1971 version by The New Golden Ring.
Free and Open Dancing for AllWe’re excited to make Isaac Banner’s book of contra dances, Free and Open Dancing for All, available in the Resource Portal! This free book includes nearly 50 new dances, along with tips for running a workshop, glossary, and index by figure and dance type. It’s a great resource for new callers, as well as experienced callers looking for new dances. Check it out, as well as dozens of other resources for callers.
New in the Store!Rapper Sword Dance in America, by Rhett Krause, details the 110-year history of rapper in the US, with details of the movements, music, stepping, and major influences, along with how the dance has evolved differently in America than in the UK. All proceeds from this book benefit the Anthony Barrand Research & Stewardship Fund, which provides financial support to the next generation of song and dance researchers.
Updated History of CDSSCheck out the new and improved History page, tracing the story of CDSS from the early 20th century to the present.
Diverse Roots of Traditions and Harms PerpetratedWe’ve added a new article from the CDSS Cultural Equity History Working Group on the hidden history of Black and Indigenous Americans in our dance and song traditions.
Annual Report Now AvailableThe 2023 CDSS Annual Report is now available! Take a look back at our progress last year.
From the Mic Episode 26: George MarshallThis episode of From the Mic features George Marshall. George says: “My philosophy as a caller is that I would like to be the enzyme in the reaction between the music and the dancers—help them interact with each other, like the glue that keeps them together.”
From the Mic Episode 25: Maia McCormickThis episode of From the Mic features Maia McCormick. Maia says: “Calling feels like a puzzle to solve and a skill to build, and something that can be constantly honed. I’m never going to be done developing as a caller.”
August 2024 Song of the MonthJulie Henigan introduces “The Cuckoo” or “The Coo Coo Bird.” This banjo tune, played for us here by Clarence Ashley, is a cousin of the gambling song “Jack of Diamonds.”
Generational Transition Survey Reports & RecordingLast fall, we surveyed 18-44 year-olds in the folk community in order to better understand the needs of this demographic and to learn how to best serve our communities in the coming years. Find our preliminary reports and a video recording of our first town hall here.
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.