photo: Rachel Winslow
Every week
Join us for our regular Wednesday evening English Country Dance at Merion Friends Meeting Activities Building (logistical details below).
Viewing this on your phone? Skip down to the list of Upcoming Dances to check out who is playing and calling soon, and what special events are on deck.
Wednesday, May 29th is our annual Members Meeting: picnic, meeting, dance! See nominating slate and other details below.What's happening?
Fish & Chips Tea Dance
Sunday afternoon May 19th, 2pm - 5pm
Summit Presbyterian Church in Mt. Airy.
After a pandemic hiatus, our annual rehearsed open band, Fish & Chips is finally back. Lead by Bob Pasquarello, our local musicians have been practicing for a month for your dancing pleasure. Caller Robert Mills has written a delightful program!
The band traditionally wears black and white. You're welcome to follow suit to blend in with the band :-)
Admission is sliding scale: $10-$15.
Masks required.
Please bring a ready-to-serve item for the Tea Table.
Annual GCD Members' Meeting & Slate of Candidates
Wednesday, May 29th at Merion Friends
- Picnic (bring your own dinner): 6pm
- Meeting: 7pm
- Dancing: 8pm, free for all who attend the meeting
Our Nominating Committee proposes the following candidates:
Kathy Talvitie: Vice President (2nd term)Bob Pollack: Treasurer (1st term)
Judy Kleppel: At Large (1st term)
Judi Stellar: At Large (1st term)
(Kathy and Judy both serve on the current board; this proposal has them switching roles)
Continuing Board Members:
Michael Wood: President
Cecily Selling: Secretary
Tristan Morris: At Large
We'll also hear brief reports from the board and other major committees on GCD activities.
New Code of Conduct
The GCD Board has formalized a code of conduct, which reflects the values that have always been a part of our community. We referenced codes of conduct from other dance communities as well as resources from the Country Dance & Song Society.
Read or download: New Code of ConductPlease feel free to talk to any board member if you have any questions or concerns.
Updated COVID guidelines
You will be asked to sign a waiver the first time you attend a GCD event. This will include contact information, as we inform our participants if anyone tests positive following an event.
Mask Requirements as follows:
- Wednesdays: 1st, 3rd, and 5th -- masks required
- Wednesdays: 2nd and 4th -- masks recommended but not required
- First Saturdays: masks required
The GCD board may change these requirements based on evolving circumstances.
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 |
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.)