High Times with Balalaika—Sarah Jane Nelson
Waltham, MA
Researching Ukrainian and Russian émigrés whose folk music and dance enriched and enlivened the folk music scene in 20th century North America.
How It Works
Thank you for supporting our work! Between November 3 and December 31, everyone who makes a donation or signs up to join our email list* will have their name entered into the drawing.
Drawing Date
Prize winners will be selected by a random number drawing on January 5, 2026. Each winner will choose a prize in the order they’re drawn (first winner will get first choice, and so on). Winners will be announced here after all prizes have been claimed. See additional rules below.
Huge thanks to everyone who donated items, skills, and time for these prizes!
Items
Two Hours of Professional Graphic Design Work
Donated by Dana Dwinell-Yardley
Work with one of our favorite designers to promote your dance or music event! Dana will make your choice of marketing materials for your organization or upcoming event. (This prize is for two hours of work, which usually covers 1-2 posters, a brochure, or a handful of smaller items like postcards and ads.)
$100 CDSS Store Gift Certificate
Donated by CDSS
The CDSS Store carries a wide range of dance, music, and song merchandise, including dance choreography books, song books, hard-to-find CDs, morris bells, and much more! This gift certificate can be used online any time.
Southwest Dance Weekend Quilt
Donated by Dorcas Hand
Lovely, thick quilt featuring t-shirts from beloved dance events in the Southwest. Made by Campus Quilts.
Half Page Ad in the CDSS News
Donated by CDSS
Advertise your upcoming event, music, or dance series in the Spring 2026 CDSS News! Winner is responsible for submitting ad art to [email protected] by February 1.
Two Guaranteed Spots at SEA Session at Pinewoods (August 13-17, 2026)
Donated by CDSS
Bring a friend to our new mini-session at Pinewoods next summer! This prize allows the winner and one other person to skip the lottery for this camp in Plymouth, MA. Registration fees not included.
Dance Calling and/or Waltz Workshop in Your Community
Donated by Gaye Fifer
Former CDSS Board President and celebrated dance caller Gaye Fifer will come to any community in North America and call a contra or English country dance, teach a waltz workshop, or any combination of the three on a mutually agreeable date. You must arrange live music and sound. Gaye will cover her travel expenses to your community.
Handmade Quilt
Donated by Jo Mortland
A beautiful, colorful, handmade quilt from Jo Mortland of Chicago, IL.
Motawi Tileworks Art Tile
Donated by Nawal Motawi
Motawi polychrome tiles are striking individual art pieces as much as functional tile installation accents, made by hand in Ann Arbor, MI. 8″x8″ including 2″ wood frame.
* You may enter the drawing without donating here.
Sponsoring organization: Country Dance & Song Society
Location: online
Opens for entries: November 3, 2025
Entry deadline: December 31, 2025
Winners selected: January 5, 2026
Rules and regulations: All state, federal, and local regulations and laws apply. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada. Winners must be 18 years or older and reside in a locality where participation is legal. No purchase, payment, or contribution is necessary to enter or win. Contributing will not improve chances of winning. Completing a donation to CDSS or submitting the giveaway entry form is counted as one entry. Only one entry per person is permitted. No automated, bulk, or third-party entries. No cash equivalents. No substitutions. No transfers. No refunds. CDSS reserves the right to disqualify entrants. CDSS reserves the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value. CDSS reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify a promotion if any problem prevents the promotion from running as planned. Campaign begins November 3, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. ET and ends on December 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Winners will be chosen at random on January 5, 2026. CDSS will pay postage to ship each item to each winner.
Selection process: All entries receive a number. At the end of the sweepstakes, the total number of entries are automatically tallied and a random number (between 1 and the total number of entries) will be selected through a random number generator. The entrant who correlates to the selected number will be the first winner and will choose their prize from the full selection. This process will repeat until all prizes have been claimed.
How to enter: You will receive one entry to the drawing by donating to CDSS before 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31, 2025. You may enter the drawing without donating here. CDSS employees, board members, and their immediate families may not enter.
Release from liability: By participating, you also agree not to hold the CDSS or the prize providers responsible for any liability, claims, or expenses that may arise. Additionally, you agree to this site’s privacy policy.
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.