The Predominantly Playford Ball

Playford Ball 2024

Saturday afternoon and evening, December 5, 2026 and Sunday, December 6.

New this year! Alchemy will be playing for an afternoon dance on Sunday, with Joanna Reiner Wilkinson calling, in a location near the PA turnpike.

Music by Alchemy: Rachel Bell, Karen Axelrod, and Eric Martin.

Please join us this year for Philadelphia's annual Ball. Ball Flyer

Advanced registration for Saturday is required. Registration will open in mid-October. If you are unable to register or pay online, email ball@germantowncountrydancers.org to make other arrangements.

Once you register, you will receive a dance instruction PDF from our registrar, along with other details about the venue and the schedule.

The 2026 Ball Program

Videos: Many are performed by the Germantown Country Dance Team. Gratitude to Jan Alter for producing them.

  • Alice
  • Apollo's Hunt
  • Dancing Across the Atlantic
  • Dandelion in the Green
  • De'il Take the Warr
  • Elizabeth
  • Faithless Nancy Dawson
  • Fireflies
  • Gigue for Genny
  • Hortonia
  • Jack's Maggot
  • John Tallis's Canon
  • Morpeth Rant
  • Never Love Thee More
  • Noisette
  • Parson's Farewell
  • Ravenclaw
  • Sam's Maggot
  • To Dance Divine
  • Water Wheel

    Schedule

    Saturday, December 5th

  • 2:30-5:00pm: Afternoon Review Session
  • 5:00-7:30pm: Dinner Break
  • Bring your own food or eat in (or out) at a nearby restaurant. The hall will remain open during the dinner break with tables and chairs set up for eating and schmoozing.
  • 7:30pm: Ball
  • Fancy dress is encouraged!
  • Please bring a contribution for our mid-evening tea break.

    Dances are taught on Wednesday evenings and at our 1st Saturday November workshop at Summit Church, 3:00pm.

    Sunday, December 6th Make it a weekend and stay for the post-ball dance!
  • 1:00-3:30pm | Ardmore Masonic Hall
  • Caller: Joanna Reiner Wilkinson
  • Band: Alchemy
  • Tickets for Sunday are available online when you register for the ball or at the door on Dec 6th.

    Location and Transportation

  • The ball and prep session are at St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church (1009 Unruh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 1911). St. Thomas’ is challenging to reach by public transportation. Please be generous in offering carpools to dancers without cars. Off-street parking is available at the church.
  • The Sunday dance is at the Ardmore Masonic Hall (35 Ardmore Ave, Ardmore, PA 1900). The Masonic Hall is located near the Paoli-Thorndale Line and the 44, 103, and 105 buses. Street parking and city-owned lots are available nearby. All municipal parking in Ardmore is free on Sundays.
  • Please note that the Ardmore Masonic Hall is not wheelchair accessible.

    Ball Prep

  • At the ball, dances will be talked through but not walked or prompted.
  • Dances are taught on Wednesday evenings and at the First Saturday workshop in November.
  • In particular, ball dances will be taught on Wednesdays Nov 4th, 18th, and Dec 2nd at Merion, and on Saturday, November 7th 3:00-5:30pm at Summit Church.
  • Dance instructions will be emailed to registrants in mid-November.
  • All teaching, calling, prompting, and instructions will use non-gendered language.

    COVID note: Masks are not required. We request that you test prior to travelling to the Ball. GCD will of course refund your registration if you test positive.

    Questions? Please email ball@germantowncountrydancers.org with any questions or concerns!