New resources!

Free and Open Dancing for All

Nearly 50 new contra dances from Isaac Banner, along with tips for running a workshop, and an index by figure and dance type. This free booklet is great resource for new callers, as well as experienced callers looking for new dances.

Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text

This comprehensive entry-level book on contra dance calling by Tony Parkes touches on every aspect of a caller's work, including getting started calling, music as it relates to the dance, timing and phrasing, voice technique, fitting the calls to the music; dance notation, teaching and walkthroughs, choosing material, calling for special groups, working with live or recorded music, buying and using a sound system, and running a dance series. In addition, the book includes a selection of easy-to-call dances. In short, this is your guide to the entire world of contra dance calling, teaching, and organizing.



View the first chapter for free, or purchase the complete book.

Instructor Nominee Directory

Looking for an instructor or musician for your next event? Consider choosing someone from the Women/Black/Indigenous/POC/LGBTQIA+/People with Disabilities Music Instructor Nominee Directory, created by A'yen Tran (with community nominations) in 2019. You can help increase representation for women, people of color, people with disabilities, and gender-diverse people by hiring them for your music camps and other musical learning opportunities.

Plus, find more resources like this in the Resource Portal.

Grant Funding Still Available

We still have some specific grant funds available this year. If you're planning any of these projects in 2024, get in touch!

• dance and music research
• training for English country dance leaders
• training for English country dance musicians

Find out more and apply for a grant here, and contact resources@cdss.org if you have any questions.

Grant funds for 2025 projects will be available soon!

Photo from a musicians' workshop hosted by the Traditional American Dance and Music Society (Richmond, VA), supported by a CDSS grant.

Help Us Share CDSS!

This summer, we mailed some CDSS promo materials to the person listed as your group's General Contact. We know some one-time events or affiliates like morris teams may not have as much use for this material. Our hope is that you will share it with your members, local dance groups, or other interested parties regardless. Right now, it's more cost-effective for us to send this material to all affiliates than to only some, so we appreciate your acceptance of it, even if it's not all directly applicable to your group. Thanks for helping more people learn about CDSS!

For 501(c)(3) Groups

A reminder to affiliates who receive their 501(c)(3) status through CDSS: You must file a 990 form or e-postcard annually with the IRS to keep your nonprofit status. This is due five months after the end of your fiscal year. If you file an e-postcard, you must also send a financial statement to CDSS. You can find forms and details here. Please email ben@cdss.org with any questions!

We're Hiring an Affiliate Coordinator!

As part of our ongoing commitment to support affiliates, we are creating a new year-round staff position devoted entirely to serving our affiliates. From resources, nonprofit affiliation, and insurance to programs, grants, and special collaborations, this person will be here to serve you and make sure that your needs are prioritized in CDSS programs and planning.

We’re looking for someone who has some organizing experience under their belt and a passion for stewarding the living traditions we love. Might you or someone you know be the perfect fit? The position will be posted soon, so keep an eye out for that announcement!

Hurricane Helene Artist and Group Support

When Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast in September, dozens of people and groups in our dance and music communities lost income, property, event spaces, and much more. 

This brand new section of our website lists people and groups in our community who could use support in their recovery. Let's show them some love!

This section is still growing! Please add a listing for yourself or your group if you need, and please share with your friends and community in the area.

Save the dates!

2025 CDSS Camps

Dance, Music & Spice

June 14-21, Camp Cavell, Michigan

Program Directors: Audrey Jaber and Ben Schreiber

Family Week at Pinewoods

July 12-19, Pinewoods Camp, Massachusetts

Program Directors: Naomi Morse and Erica Morse

American Dance & Music Week

July 19-26, Pinewoods Camp, Massachusetts

Program Directors: Julie Metcalf and Max Newman

Harmony of Song & Dance

July 26-August 2, Pinewoods Camp, Massachusetts

Program Director: Nicole Singer

English Dance Week

August 2-9, Pinewoods Camp, Massachusetts

Program Director: Scott Higgs

Early Music Week

August 9-16, Pinewoods Camp, Massachusetts

Program Director: Karen Burciaga

Family Week at Agassiz Village

August 11-17, Agassiz Village, Poland, Maine

Program Directors: Sophia and Luke Donforth

Cascade of Music & Dance

August 11-17, Camp Kweebec, Schwenksville, PA

Program Director: Stefan Amidon

Campers' Week

August 16-23, Pinewoods Camp, Massachusetts

Program Directors: Leah Gordon and Jonathan Van Gieson

Registration opens in January! All affiliates receive priority admission for up to two people and are eligible for matching scholarships. Applications will be available when camp registration opens.

Supporter Thanks Concert

New resources photo by Doug Plummer. Camp photo by Carl Friedman.