Every week
Join us for our regular Wednesday evening English Country Dance at Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building. (logistical details below)
Welcome back from the summer! 1st Saturdays and the Barn Dance will start up again the first weekend in October.
Looking at this on your phone? Jump to the upcoming events calendar.
Tom Roby dancing with Christine Robb, 2019. Photo: Dana S.
1st Saturday, October 4th
Afternoon Workshop & Evening Dance
Tom Roby (Boston) leading
A Joyful Noise: Kathy Talvitie, Daniel Beerbohm, Barbara Greenberg
3:00 - 5:30 Workshop
RECENT RECONSTRUCTED HISTORICAL GEMS: recent reconstructions by Andrew Shaw of dances from 1675–1775.
7:30 - 10:30 Evening Dance
- The Saturday events are programmed for **intermediate and experienced dancers.
- Admission: Sliding scale, see prices below.
- Location: Summit Presbyterian Church, Mt. Airy
- Masks are optional.
- NOTE CHANGE! Both Supper Picnic & Evening Tea will be in the main hall. Bring your own supper, or stop by the Coop after the workshop. Please ALSO bring delicious snacks to share for the evening Tea break.
Mt. Airy Barn Dance, Sunday, October 5th, 2:00-3:45
Musicians:Sarah Gowan, Bill Quern, and Rick Mohr
Leading the Dancing: John Krumm
Kids, teens, and adults dance together — no experience necessary. Just walk in for a guaranteed good time!
You might also enjoy joining us the day before for ECRS's Fun Day in Philly
Summit Church location and admission details.
The Teen Barn Dance, Saturday, October 11th
Meeting on 2nd Saturday evenings at Summit Church, September thru May. Details here: Teen Dance
ESCape has escaped Pinewoods and is coming to Philadelphia!
Hold these dates for Philly's English-Scottish-Contra long weekend: Oct 30 - Nov 2
- Thursday: Mt. Airy Contra -- Rick Mohr coordinating, SPUDS open band.
- Friday: Scottish class in Center City, Chrissy Gore teaching, live music.
- Friday: ECD Party in Princeton: Dorothy Cummings calling. Music by A Joyful Noise -- Daniel Beerbohm, Kathy Talvitie, Barbara Greenberg
- Saturday afternoon: Afternoon ball dance workshop, picnic supper. At Summit Church.
- Saturday evening: GCD 1st Saturday experienced English dance. Val Medve calling, with the Cedar Waxwing band. At Summit Church.
- Sunday afternoon: ESC dance in Chestnut Hill: Callers Joanna Reiner Wilkinson, Alex Burka, Chrissy Gore. Music by Hijinks -- Miranda Weinberg, Kathy Talvitie, Carrie Rose.
All you multi-pedal dancers, come join us! Locals, please spread the word to your out-of-town dancing friends. It can be a mini-Philadelphia dance vacation. Let us know early on if hospitality or transit is an issue and we'll see what we can do to help out.
ESCdance.org Details will be posted here as things get figured out.
Next Open Band: Wednesday, October 29th
Bob Pasquarello leading
Liz Snowdon and Jenny Beer calling
Join in! Even if you can only play one tune and want to dance the rest. Musicians of all skill levels are invited to participate.
See our Open Band page for the program, music files to download, sample video/audio tracks, and other details about how to participate.
Colonial & Regency Historic Dancing Workshop
Thanks to everyone who came out to learn some basic ECD historical dance steps! Teachers Tanya Rotenberg and Ted Rudofker introduced footwork from the French Baroque style that was used in stately minuets and lively English Country set dances at the Balls (called Assemblies) of those periods.
Our Colonial Assembly demonstrates 18th century Colonial and early 19th century Regency periods and we expect to be busy in Philadelphia 2026 for the 250th celebrations!
GCD organizational matters
GCD Code of Conduct: The Germantown Country Dancers' code of conduct 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. 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.)