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Whirling contra dancers at ContraQuebec in spring 2024
Photo by Armelle Lorcy, ContraQuebec Spring Buds.

Thank you for making our spring appeal a success!

It’s not too late to donate—just note “spring appeal” on your online or mailed donation, send by June 14, and we will count it toward this effort!

Donate now

  • Number of donors toward our goal of 100:

    Created using the Donation Thermometer plugin https://wordpress.org/plugins/donation-thermometer/.100Raised 90 towards the 100 target.90Raised 90 towards the 100 target.90%

  • Total raised so far toward our goal of $40,000:

    Created using the Donation Thermometer plugin https://wordpress.org/plugins/donation-thermometer/.$40,000Raised $40,304 towards the $40,000 target.$40,304Raised $40,304 towards the $40,000 target.101%

Photo by Armelle Lorcy, ContraQuebec Spring Buds.

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Morris dancers wave white handkerchiefs and jump in the air

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

Smiling dancers at the Cleveland Butterfly Twirl

Fall 2025 Appeal for Support—please give by December 31!

Together we can make a real difference in the lives of those who are nurturing the living traditions we love.

All donors are entered automatically in a drawing for fabulous prizes!

Donate now Drawing info

Photo by Laura Lewis, Cleveland Butterfly Twirl, CDSS Community Grant recipient.

What’s New

  • 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.

  • From the Mic with Sue Rosen From the Mic Episode 9: Sue Rosen

    In episode 9 of From the Mic, Mary interviews Sue Rosen. A leading caller of contras, squares, English country dance and family dance programs, Sue has been actively calling for 30 years in the Boston area, across the country, and overseas. She has built a collection of great dances and has written contras that have become part of the standard repertoire of dance callers across the contradance world. 

  • Heather plant in bloom November 2022 Song of the Month

    “Wild Mountain Thyme,” also known as “Purple Heather” and “Will Ye Go, Lassie, Go?”, is one of the rare romantic folk songs. Jennifer Armstrong tells us the history of the song, as well as the story of her parents’ unique lyrical variations.

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