CDSS Exec Board Visits Philadelphia Jan. 22-26
The Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS), our national organization, is holding its executive committee meeting here in Philadelphia the last weekend in January. Many CDSS board members will arrive in time for the Wednesday GCD English dance, and stay through Sunday night or Monday morning.
There will be a full lineup of special events Wednesday through Sunday, including a contra dance on Friday evening (Jan. 24, 7:30pm; picnic at 6pm) with SPUDS at the Park Avenue Community Center in Swarthmore, and a community meeting on Sunday (Jan. 26, 11am-2pm) with pizza for all, interspersed with singing and dance games, at the Irish Center. This will be an exciting opportunity to share the richness of our music and dance community with the CDSS board! (More)
Welcome to the Thursday Contra! See the schedule of upcoming bands and callers below.
Location: The Irish Center (a.k.a. Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center),
6815 Emlen St., Philadelphia, PA 19119.
Look for the signs, and use the ballroom entrance, furthest from Carpenter Ave.
Beginner lesson: 7:30pm
Dance: 8:00pm to 10:30pm
Admission: sliding scale, pay what you wish. Suggested $10/$15/$20+.
Donations to Philadelphia Area Traditional Music and Dance, the nonprofit which sponsors the Thursday Contra dance, are always appreciated! (Link)
Contributions to the 100% free platform we use for donations are optional, and may be set to "Other" including zero.
Snacks are welcome. Please bring finger foods to share! (No peanuts or peanut butter please, due to allergies in our community.)
Our Thursday night dances strongly encourage up-to-date COVID vaccination. Masks are optional (and are welcome).
(If you test positive for COVID a few days after a dance, please send email to so we can alert others to a potential exposure. Thanks.)
Please read the full details if you plan to attend. We're looking forward to dancing with you!
| Date | Caller | Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 2 | Rick Mohr coordinating |
"New Year, New Me: Set the Night Aglow" themed dance! New, different dances including some world premieres. Bring clothes to swap; bring lights to start the new year off bright! BASS: Bill Quern (mando, banjo, fiddle, accordion), Adlai Waksman (keyboard, accordion), Steve Epstein (clarinet, sax), Sarah Gowan (guitar, concertina) |
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| Jan. 9 | Bob Isaacs coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! Bill Quern, Sarah Gowan, Rick Mohr and Chloe Mohr leading |
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Jan. 16 |
Jan Alter coordinating | Hot Wasabi: Ben Kennedy (piano), Roberta Goren (flute), Chris Carpenter (banjo, mandolin, clarinet), Dave Miller (fiddle) | |
| Jan. 23 | Donna Hunt coordinating | Wissahickon Express: Rick Mohr (fiddle), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Chloe Mohr (piano) | |
| Jan. 30 | Dave Rupp coordinating | The Hazel Nuts: Chris Germain (fiddle), John Salmon (guitar), Keith Brand (banjo), Heidi Germain (bass) | |
| Feb. 6 | Scott Higgs coordinating | Gambeson: Jared Bishop (fiddle), James McPeak (cello), Adam Bodine (guitar) | |
| Feb. 13 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | Broadside Kinetic: Rachel Hall (piano), Amy Ksir (accordion, winds), Tom Rhoads (guitar), Helene Speer (fiddle), Jim Speer (bass) | |
| Feb. 20 | Michael Karcher coordinating | Raise the Roof: Mat Clark (fiddle), Judi Stellar (hammered dulcimer), Bob Pasquarello (bass), Kathy Talvitie (guitar) | |
| Feb. 27 | Sue Gola coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
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Dances continue every Thursday (except Thanksgiving). |
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But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors
- The 3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Mt. Airy, continuing on January 18 with Caroline Barnes and Raise the Roof.
- Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Saturday, February 8 with Nathan and The Zydeco Cha Chas at the Holy Saviour Club, Norristown, Pa.
(3rd Saturday and Allons Danser may have different COVID precautions from the Thursday night contra dance. Check their pages for the most up-to-date schedules and information.) - SPUDS, Philly's phabulous open contradance band.
All Hands In has been presenting games nights and other community-led events, along with some fun online dances with fantastic live calling. Tune in most Tuesday nights.
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