Every week
Join us for our regular Wednesday evening English Country Dance at Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building (logistical details below).
Viewing this on your phone? Skip down to the list of Upcoming Dances to check out who is playing and calling soon, and what special events are on deck.
What's happening?
Ellen Tepper 
Ellen Tepper, professional harpist, artist, dancer, lover of dragons and kitties, died yesterday after several years of health challenges. We will miss her unique and beautiful renditions of English Country tunes when she played for our dances. On this 2021 CDSS pandemic podcast, Ellen plays versions of the tunes used for the dance Irish Lamentation, tunes with a tragic history.
Friends are all invited to a session on September 12, 7-9 PM at the Irish Center (Commodore Barry Club) that Ellen used to lead with Terry Kane. Sing, play an instrument, tell a joke, or dance. All are welcome. There will also be some Ellen art on display.
New Code of Conduct
The GCD Board has formalized a code of conduct, which reflects the values that have always been a part of our community. We referenced codes of conduct from other dance communities as well as resources from the Country Dance & Song Society.
Read or download: New Code of ConductPlease feel free to talk to any board member if you have any questions or concerns.
Updated COVID guidelines
Masks are optional for Wednesdays and the Barn Dance. Decisions about 1st Saturdays will be announced in early Fall.
You will be asked to sign a contact information form the first time you attend a GCD event, as we always inform our participants if anyone tests positive following an event.
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: Masks optional. GCD COVID Guidelines (PDF) |
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: Masks required. See GCD COVID Guidelines (PDF) |
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 Masks optional. See GCD COVID Guidelines (PDF) |
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.)