The portal contains a vast range of resources by and for the dance, music, and song community. From expert tips from fellow organizers and callers, to databases of dances and songs, find what you need to help engage with the traditions you love!
Resources added before 2022 do not all have explicit permission from the authors. If your resource is in the portal and you’d like it removed, please email us.
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Use the search box and filters below to find resources.
Tip: Selecting multiple checkboxes will give you more specific results. For example, to see specific resources for contra dance callers, select both Callers and Contra Dance.
12 Results
Shared Weight: Growing Up Trad Discussion List
Growing up Trad! is an email discussion list for caregiving adults who love traditional dance, music and song. The focus of our conversation is around nurturing these traditions within our families and in particular with the children in our care.
Categories: Community/Family Dance, Families
Dancing in (Children/Young Adult) Literature: A Partial Bibliography
Looking for a children’s book related to traditional dance and music? This bibliography focuses on children’s & young adult books that connect to traditional, participatory, social dance & music. Belfast Flying Shoes funded the compilation with additional support from the Maine Arts Commission.
From Chrissy Fowler
Categories: Families
The CDSS multigenerational dance video series, is our response to dancing at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Categories: Community/Family Dance, Educators, Families
10 Tips for Contra Dancing With Kids
Miriam reflects on how dancers can be more supportive of children and youth within the contra dance context. Some helpful considerations for dancing with children. While the context of the article is contra dancing, the ideas also apply to many other forms of dance.
From Miriam Axel-Lute
Categories: Contra Dance, Dancers, Families
Dancing Well Weekly Virtual Dance Party
Weekly dance parties for kids (and kids at heart) on Facebook Live and later available to watch anytime. Originally designed for veteran and military families, but open to all.
Categories: Families
Don Veino calls a virtual barn dance, with music by Julie Metcalf and Max Newman.
Categories: Families
Virtual NEFFA: Family Songs & Dances
Susan and Isabelle Taylor show us three dances that families can do at home.
From NEFFA
Categories: Families
Sam Bartlett is famous at CDSS family camps for his hilarious and captivating stunts. Learn some of them with these videos!
From Indiana Public Media
Categories: Families
CDSS at Home: Sue Hulsether Teaches the Spoons
Dance caller and music educator Sue Hulsether teaches how to play the spoons, aided by Clara from Asheville, NC.
From CDSS
Categories: Families, Musicians
Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy Concert for Families
Categories: Families
Barn Dance! A Musical Story Time
Enjoy a story with illustrations, lively music, and the chance to try out a dance or two!
From the Chillicothe (Illinois) Public Library and the Newport String Project
Categories: Families
Thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their generous support.