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
Giving to CDSS is a vote for joy and positivity.
Donate to our spring appeal today
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Help us reach our goal of 100 donors!
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Total raised so far towards our goal of $40,000!
What’s New
- Country Dance + Song Online Volume 3
With the 2022 issue of Country Dance + Song Online, we are excited to present three articles on very different topics, two of them by contributors new to the journal. We will time-travel to three centuries of Anglo-American dance—all different, but all evolutionarily connected. Read more and download the issue.
- April 2022 Song of the Month
Ian Robb introduces “Bold Riley,” a sailor’s farewell that has become a favorite memorial song.
- Spring 2022 CDSS News
The Spring 2022 CDSS News is now available! Learn about the Johnny Appleseed of morris dance; try a two-couple ECD or a happy march; read an interview with the late, great Tony Barrand; and much more.
- March 2022 Song of the Month
Nick Dow tells of a visit to a pub in Broadwindsor and an evening of memorable songs. One of these, “The Foggy Dew,” is the story of a bachelor who takes in a young woman on a chilly night and ends up as a single father.
- Contra Pulse with Dave Langford
On this episode of Contra Pulse, Dave tells us all about his early years and how his journey as a fiddle player began on a spur-of-the-moment whim. We explore his identity as a New England Style Fiddler, and get to hear Dave demonstrate his unique fiddle strum, and a few beautiful tunes on the guitar. Dave leaves us with a cliffhanger about new developments coming out with his band, Stomp Rocket, so we’ll just have to wait at the edge of our seats to find out. In the meantime, enjoy!
- Songs That Speak: The Ballad of Little Mary Phagan
CDSS is pleased to support “Songs that Speak,” a monthly YouTube series by Saro Lynch-Thomason. Learn about the history, folklore, and modern-day relevance of traditional songs, and sing along as Saro teaches each song through sing-and-repeat. Saro’s latest offering is “Can Songs Kill? The Leo Frank Trial and the Ballad of Little Mary Phagan.”
In our history, CDSS has…
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published 114 hours of podcasts
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fostered 109 years of tradition
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sold well over 50,000 morris bells
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bestowed 31 Lifetime Contribution Awards
In the past year, CDSS has…
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added over 60 repertoire resources for callers
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hosted over 1,093 campers
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published over 600 calendar events
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awarded 34 grants for local communities and special projects
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