![Campers in blue tie-dye at Camp Louise](https://cdss.org/wp-content/uploads/home/camp-louise.png)
We connect and support people in building and sustaining vibrant communities through participatory dance, music, and song. We steward the living traditions of English country dance, contra and square dance, morris and sword dance, and the music that is an integral part of these traditions. Learn more
What’s New
Free and Open Dancing for All
We’re excited to make Isaac Banner’s book of contra dances, Free and Open Dancing for All, available in the Resource Portal! This free book includes nearly 50 new dances, along with tips for running a workshop, glossary, and index by figure and dance type. It’s a great resource for new callers, as well as experienced callers looking for new dances. Check it out, as well as dozens of other resources for callers.
New in the Store!
Rapper Sword Dance in America, by Rhett Krause, details the 110-year history of rapper in the US, with details of the movements, music, stepping, and major influences, along with how the dance has evolved differently in America than in the UK. All proceeds from this book benefit the Anthony Barrand Research & Stewardship Fund, which provides financial support to the next generation of song and dance researchers.
Updated History of CDSS
Check out the new and improved History page, tracing the story of CDSS from the early 20th century to the present.
Diverse Roots of Traditions and Harms Perpetrated
We’ve added a new article from the CDSS Cultural Equity History Working Group on the hidden history of Black and Indigenous Americans in our dance and song traditions.
Annual Report Now Available
The 2023 CDSS Annual Report is now available! Take a look back at our progress last year.
From the Mic Episode 26: George Marshall
This episode of From the Mic features George Marshall. George says: “My philosophy as a caller is that I would like to be the enzyme in the reaction between the music and the dancers—help them interact with each other, like the glue that keeps them together.”
In our history, CDSS has…
bestowed 31 Lifetime Contribution Awards
fostered 109 years of tradition
published 114 hours of podcasts
sold well over 50,000 morris bells
In the past year, CDSS has…
added over 60 repertoire resources for callers
published over 600 calendar events
awarded 34 grants for local communities and special projects
hosted over 1,093 campers
Upcoming Community Events