Dancers enjoying our open band. Photo by Rachel Winslow.
When can we dance again?? The Germantown Country Dancers board has regretfully decided to cancel its dances in the fall including the annual Playford Ball. We are considering having an online event instead of a dance on December 5th and will keep you posted about that. We continue to monitor the situation and recommendations from health organizations as well as CDSS (Country Dance & Song Society) and will return to our regular dance schedule as soon as we can safely do so. We are not going away!
- --The Germantown Country Dancers Board
From our parent organization, CDSS:
Our dance, song, and music traditions will not go away if we need to hit the pause button for a while. They've made it through population migrations, world wars, and the rise of digital entertainment. Dancing and singing together will continue with gusto after the initial virus has run its course. Be kind and understanding with the dancers, singers, musicians, callers, and organizers around you.
Check out CDSS updates and resources for dancers, musicians, and organizers.
Missing the music while we're taking a break from dancing? Check out this webpage for online concerts and classes.
Dances and Events
| When? | What? | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesdays (Cancelled for fall 2020. We will let you know when we resume our normal schedule.) |
7:30 pm – Arrive for beginners' orientation to basic figures 8:00 pm – 10:15 pm English Country Dancing Members $7, non-members $8, under 30 years old $4. |
Merion |
| First Saturdays (Normally October – May, for intermediate and experienced dancers. Saturday dances are cancelled for fall 2020. Check this website for news in January.) |
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. |
Mt. Airy |
| Barn Dance First Sundays (Normally November – April, cancelled for fall 2020. Check website for information in January.) |
2:00–3:30 pm – Old time fun for all ages. Adults $5, kids 4–18 $2 ($15 max.) |
Mt. Airy |
| Teen Dance Second Fridays (Normally September – May, cancelled for fall 2020) |
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.
First Saturday events: Please wear flat-soled shoes. 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 Activities Building
615 Montgomery Ave, Merion, PA 19066 (on the Main Line)
Summit Presbyterian Church, Westview & Greene Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19119 (in Mt. Airy)
Maps & directions
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.