• Search the CDSS website:

2024 CDSS Governing Board members standing outdoors

Country Dance & Song Society

Individuals nourished and communities strengthened by dancing, singing, and making music together

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

People holding hands in an outdoor dance
Photo by Doug Plummer

Giving to dance, music, and song creates healing through togetherness.

Donate to our fall appeal

  • Help us reach our goal of 400 donors!

    Created using the Donation Thermometer plugin https://wordpress.org/plugins/donation-thermometer/.400Raised 253 towards the 400 target.253Raised 253 towards the 400 target.63%
  • Total raised so far towards our goal of $140,000!

    Created using the Donation Thermometer plugin https://wordpress.org/plugins/donation-thermometer/.$140,000Raised $112,715 towards the $140,000 target.$112,715Raised $112,715 towards the $140,000 target.81%
 

What’s New

  • Campers clap hands at English Dance Week 2022. Photo by Jeff Bary. Camp registration open now!

    Magic is waiting for you at our 2023 summer dance, music, and song camps! Whether you’re a beginning fiddler or a professional bagpiper, a third grader or a grandparent, a brand-new contra dancer or a seasoned morris squire, you are welcome here. Join us for nine weeks of camps at four camp locations across the U.S. this summer. Learn more.

  • From the Mic with Chrissy Fowler From the Mic Episode 10: Chrissy Fowler

    In episode 10 of From the Mic, Mary interviews Chrissy Fowler. Chrissy co-founded a dance series in Belfast, Maine, which has evolved into a thriving participatory arts nonprofit—Belfast Flying Shoes. In her Flying Shoes bio, Chrissy describes herself as an organizer, leader, dancer and cheerleader. She likes to cultivate community by organizing fun stuff, including BFS programs and Puttin’ On the Dance, a conference for Northeast dance organizers.

  • A child sleeping among gold stars January 2023 Song of the Month

    Judy Cook introduces “Bed Is Too Small,” an anonymous American lullaby that she learned in Girl Scout camp.

  • Two pairs of dancers' hands with a rainbow background Winter 2022 CDSS News

    The Winter 2022 CDSS News is now available! Step into Jane Austen’s world with Graham Christian; learn about positional calling from Louise Siddons; listen to gender conversations with Scott Higgs; and get a year-end update from the CDSS Board, Community Resources Manager, and member survey. Plus much more! 

  • Road construction sign Thanks for checking out our new website!

    If you’re having trouble finding something or if something isn’t working, please fill out this form. We will get in touch to help as soon as we can.

  • Children dance around a man in the street December 2022 Song of the Month

    Matthew Byrne introduces “Jack Ashton,” the tale of a storyteller who brought a little escapism to poor children in a postwar factory town.

In our history, CDSS has…

In the past year, CDSS has…

Upcoming Community Events

CDSS: Country Dance & Song Society Individuals nourished and communities strengthened by dancing, singing, and making music together.