What's happening?
Dance Camp Scholarships!
Never been to dance camp before??? GCD may have scholarship $ for you!
Check out the details and find the registration form link on our Dance Camps page now.
1st timers attending a CDSS (Country Dance & Song Society) week, are eligible for matching funds from CDSS.
Please note the tight deadlines!
Deadline for the GCD Camp Scholarship Application: FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2024
Deadline for CDSS camp registration: MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2024
Thanks to our GCD board, which has been working against the clock to revive this program in time for 2024 registration.
And if you have gone to dance or music camps before, do remember to register soon--weeks with English Country Dancing or for families tend to fill up fast. CDSS Camp Weeks. You might also enjoy Hey Days (BACDS), or Ashokan Northern Week.
1st Saturday, April 6th,
Afternoon Workshop, 3pm & Evening Dance, 7:30pm
Paul Ross (NYC) calling
Music by Melissa Running, David Courret-Knight, Paul Oorts
3:00 - 5:30 Workshop
Paul writes:
OUT OF PRINT / OUT OF THIS WORLD: Only the last two of Fried Herman's books of dances are still in print. What treasures lie in her six earlier ones? We'll enjoy a sampling of some long-time favorite dances and some that are rarely if ever done but that deserve to be rediscovered.
5:30 - 7:00 Play-in (see Musicians' Page)
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
- (K)N95 Masks are required.
- Tea: Please bring ready-to-serve bite-sized snacks to share.
Mt. Airy Barn Dance
Sunday afternoon, April 7th, 2 - 3:45 pm
Summit Church
Kids, teens, and adults dance together.
No experience necessary. Just walk in for a guaranteed good time.
Details below and on the Mt. Airy Barn Dance Facebook page
Fish & Chips Tea Dance
Sunday afternoon May 19th!
Sunday afternoon, April 7th, 2 - 3:45 pm
Summit Church
Kids, teens, and adults dance together.
No experience necessary. Just walk in for a guaranteed good time. Details below and on the Mt. Airy Barn Dance Facebook page
Fish & Chips Tea Dance
Sunday afternoon May 19th!
After a pandemic hiatus, GCD is reconvening it's annual rehearsed open band, lead by Bob Pasquarello, working with caller, Robert Mills.
Musicians of all skill levels are welcome to participate. Sign-up and rehearsal details are on the Open Band page.
David Tilove's memorial gathering will be at Stella in New Hope, midday Sunday, April 21st. The family will be asking for RSVPs once arrangements are finalized.
Farewell David Tilove, dance friend, and author of the Lambertville ECD video list , who died in Pittsburgh on January 2nd after a long decline. His obituary is a long and moving read. Discovering ECD somewhat late in life, David and Carolyn graced us with their company for about a decade, always on hand to help out with whatever was needed, ever happy to be on the dance floor.
Updated COVID guidelines
You will be asked to sign a waiver the first time you attend a GCD event. This will include contact information, as we inform our participants if anyone tests positive following an event.
Mask Requirements as follows:
- Wednesdays: 1st, 3rd, and 5th -- masks required
- Wednesdays: 2nd and 4th -- masks recommended but not required
- Barn Dance: masks optional
- First Saturdays: masks required
GCD COVID-related Guidelines (PDF)
The GCD board may change these requirements based on evolving circumstances.
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 |
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.)