A festive Maypole dance performance. Photo by Rachel Winslow.
What's happening?
Back to every-other-week :-(
Following our recent experiences having 7 COVID infections reported after dances on April 2 and 6, plus the rising number of local cases, we are shifting back to Wednesdays every other week. The board is also updating precautions and information sharing.
Current plan: Dances on Wednesday, May 4th and May 18th. 1st Saturday on May 7th. Annual Members Meeting via Zoom on May 25th. In a few weeks, GCD will decide whether to restart a weekly schedule in June.
Please see our COVID Safety page for the revised waiver and notification practices.
Special thanks to those who have followed through on their commitment to report post-event positive results in order to facilitate safer dancing.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out tothe GCD board at info@germantowncountrydancers.org
Saturday, May 7th! Join us for a workshop (3pm) and evening dance (7:30pm) for experienced dancers, led by Melissa Running.
Kathy Talvitie, Mara Shea (North Carolina), Rebecca McCallum (Connecticut) are our fine musicians.
Weather permitting, there will be a bring-your-own picnic outside between the two events. (No food allowed in the church.)
COVID-related regulations are in place for *all* GCD events, starting with these highlights:
- Mask securely covering your mouth and nose, and proof of vaccination (including a booster dose) required!
- If you don't feel well, please stay home and take care of yourself. Post-COVID wait until you have been negative for 10 days.
- You'll sign a waiver when you arrive and be given more detailed guidelines to read (these are also posted on our COVID Safety page).
Dances and Events
| When? | What? | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesdays Dances are held every Wednesday evening. Before coming please see our COVID Safety page and check this webpage again for cancellation updates. |
7:30 pm – Arrive for new dancers' orientation to basic figures 8:00 pm – 10:15 pm English Country Dancing Members $7, non-members $8, under 30 years old $4. |
Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building |
| First Saturdays For intermediate and experienced dancers | 3:00–5:30 pm – Afternoon Workshop (see schedule) 7:30–10:30 pm – English Country Dance Afternoon $9, Evening $10, Both $16. GCD and CDSS Members: Afternoon $7, Evening $8, Both $12. Under 30: Afternoon $4, Evening $4, Both $8. |
Summit Church, Mt. Airy |
| Barn Dance First Sundays (Normally November – April) |
2:00–3:30 pm – Old time fun for all ages. Adults $5, kids 4–18 $2 ($15 max.) |
Summit Church, Mt. Airy |
| Teen Dance Second Fridays (Normally September – May, cancelled for now) |
7:30–10:00 pm – Contra and Barn Dances for teens (ages 12-19). Admission: $5 |
Mt. Airy |
Details
English Country Dancing is social, community dancing, where one of the pleasures is interacting with everyone in the room. New people are welcome any time, and you don't need to bring a partner.
Dance to live music every evening! No partners needed, friendly folk will ask you to dance. On Wednesdays and at Barn dances, each dance is taught. Please wear flat-soled shoes.
First Saturday events: Saturday dance programs are more difficult than on most Wednesdays (especially the afternoon workshops). The programs are intended for dancers who know standard figures, such as casts and leads, siding, single and double figures of eight, and all manner of heys.
For more information on the teen dances see the teen website.
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!
Benefits of membership:
- Discounts to most GCD-sponsored dances and workshops and to the ball
- Guaranteed admission to the December Playford Ball, if you (re)join by October 15, and register by November 2.