Every week
Join us for our regular Wednesday evening English Country Dance at Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building. (logistical details below)
We dance through the summer. Note that the dance space has good ventilation, but no air conditioning. 1st Saturdays and the Barn Dance will start up again the first weekend in October.
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Free 6-week workshop on
Colonial & Regency historic dancing
August 12 - September 16
Tuesdays at 7:30 - 8:30pm
Location: Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building
Have you ever wanted to dance like George Washington or Jane Austen?
Germantown Country Dancers is offering a free, six week workshop on historic dance of the 18th century Colonial and early 19th century Regency periods. Our Dance Teachers are Tanya Rotenberg and Ted Rudofker.
You will learn some of the footwork, based on the French Baroque style, that was used in stately minuets and lively English Country set dances at the Balls (called Assemblies) of those periods. Here is our Colonial Assembly group performing both stately and lively dances:
Come try it out!
- Please arrive at 7:15, ready to dance at 7:30.
- You do not need to commit to coming to each session, although each week will build on the previous one.
- Wear soft-soled pliable shoes.
- Some previous dance experience is helpful but not required.
- The sessions are free. Donations graciously accepted.
Annual Members' Meeting
Thanks everyone for a terrific turnout for our picnic and annual meeting!BOARD for 2025-2026
Jenny Beer: President (1st term)
James McPeak: Vice President (1st term)
At Large: Tristan Morris (2nd term)
Continuing Board Members:
Bob Pollack: Treasurer
Cecily Selling: Secretary
Judy Kleppel: At Large
Judi Stellar: At Large
GCD organizational matters
GCD Code of Conduct: The GCD Board recently formalized a code of conduct which reflects the values that have always been a part of our community. Please read them now and again!: Code of Conduct PDF.
COVID notice: Masks are optional but welcome for all GCD events. Please stay home if you have possible symptoms or have had close exposure in the past 5 days to someone who has COVID. If you test positive within 3 days of attending a GCD event, immediately let someone on the board know or email info@germantowncountrydancers.org. Your identity will not be revealed in any public information sent out. Thank you.
Regular Dances and Events
| When? | What? | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesdays Year round (occasional exceptions) 7:30 pm – Arrive for new dancers' orientation |
English Country Dancing
Sliding scale Admission: |
Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building |
| First Saturdays October - May 3:00–5:30 pm – Afternoon Workshop | ECD for intermediate and experienced dancers** see below
Sliding-Scale Admission: |
Summit Church, Mt. Airy |
| Mt. Airy Barn Dance 1st Sundays, November – April 2:00–3:45 pm |
Old time fun for all ages: FaceBook page
Adults $5-10, kids and teens (age 4-18) $3-5. |
Summit Church, Mt. Airy |
Before you come...
On Wednesday evenings and at the Mt. Airy Barn Dance, new dancers are always welcome! Each dance is taught, then prompted. You don't need to bring a partner, as we change partners throughout the session. Friendly folk will ask you to dance. English Country Dancing is community dancing, where one of the pleasures is interacting with everyone in the room.
Please wear flat-soled shoes.
** First Saturday workshops and evening programs are more difficult than on Wednesdays. The programs are intended for intermediate and experienced dancers who know standard figures, such as casts and leads, siding, single and double figures of eight, and all manner of heys.
Venues
Germantown Country Dancers holds dances in two locations:
Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building 615 Montgomery Ave, Merion, PA 19066 (on the Main Line)
Summit Church, Mt. Airy, Westview & Greene Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19119
Join us!
Do you appreciate the events GCD sponsors for dancers and musicians? For a small amount, you can become an Official Member of this great organization! (With the side-benefit of guaranteed Ball admission if you register in time.)