Every week
Join us for our regular Wednesday evening English Country Dance at Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building. (logistical details below)
Looking at this on your phone? Jump to the upcoming events calendar.
EXCITING NEWS!!
GCD is offering a limited number of Summer Music and Dance Camp Scholarships for summer 2026. GCD encourages all our dancers and musicians to explore summer camp experiences where you can expand your own skills, enrich our dance community, and have loads of fun!
The deadline for applying is March 2 at midnight.
GCD Camp Scholarship Application Information
For questions, email . Please put “GCD Camp Scholarships” in the subject line.
First Saturday Workshop and Dance with Martha Griffin
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Music by Hot Toddy - Melissa Running, Edith Coakley Stowe, Anna Rain
Martha is known for performance dancing -- formerly leading an excellent ECD demo team, as well as teaching and demonstrating vintage couple dances from the Victorian and Ragtime era. She lives in Connecticut.
3:00 - 5:30 Afternoon Workshop
5:50 - 7:10 Picnic Dinner (bring your own)
7:30 - 10:30 Evening Dance
- The Saturday events are programmed for **intermediate and experienced dancers.
- Location: Summit Presbyterian Church, Mt. Airy
- Admission: Sliding scale, see event details below.
- **** Please bring delicious snacks to share for the evening Tea break ****.
Mt. Airy Barn Dance, Sunday, March 1st, 2:00-3:45
Kids, teens, and adults dance together — no experience necessary. Just walk in for a guaranteed good time!
Thanks for aiming to arrive at 1:50 so we can start with a good group at 2:00.
Sound Techs needed!
GCD urgently needs to train more musicians and dancers in how to run our sound systems (Merion, Summit). If that interests you, please contact anyone on the board. And if you want a low-key way to check out if you'd enjoy doing this, help out with set up or take down at our dances. Just ask the sound person what you can do to help. You can also ask the them if you can "shadow" them some time.
The Teen Barn Dance
NOTE DATE CHANGE: Friday, February 20
Meeting on 2nd Saturday evenings at Summit Church, September thru May. Details here: Teen Dance
Colonial & Regency Historic Dancing
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.)