CDS Boston Centre
Harvard Sq. English Dance
2nd and 4th Fridays, 7:30 - 9:30pm (see schedule
below)
Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church
1555 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
(map,
parking suggestions)
September through June
$6 general, $5 members, $3 students
Download the 2005-06 flyer
July 20 musicians' workshop for experienced English musicians
What is English Country Dancing?English Country Dance is social, community dancing. Dancers take a different partner for each dance of the evening, and join a "set" of couples. Each couple dances a series of figures with another couple, then repeats the same figures with each couple in the set. There's minimal footwork: If you can walk you can dance! One of the pleasures of this kind of dancing is that you interact with everyone in the room. Dancers are encouraged to be attentive to each other as well as to the dance patterns. The repertoire includes dances popular in 1650 all the way up to dances written (last year). Some are elegant, some rowdy, some romantic, some playful. Each dance has its own tune. Often the first thing that attracts people to English Country Dance is the splendid live music. New people are welcome any time... You don't need to bring a partner. Wear loose, comfortable clothes, and sturdy, flat shoes that won't skid or stick on a wood floor. -- by Jenny Beer, Germantown Country Dancers |
All dances at this series will be taught by a caller and accompanied by live music ranging from works by Purcell and Susato to traditional waltzes, jigs, and reels. Come join us! And then stay afterwards for the often scheduled trip to Herrell's Ice Cream for yet another social opportunity!
Would you like to see some pictures of our dance series?
Schedule 2005-2006
| Date | Caller | Musicians | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 9 | Leslie Lassetter | Bruce Randall (winds), Ron Dann (clarinet), Ken Allen (piano) | ||
| September 23 | Leslie Lassetter | Open Band led by Jacqueline Schwab | ||
| October 14 | Michael Cicone | Jonathan Gilbert (fiddle), Donna Slonim (fiddle), Jean Monroe (piano) | ||
| October 28 | Graham Christian | Vince O'Donnell (violin), Johanna Bobrow (violin), Ken Allen (viola), Robert Penny (cello) | ||
| November 11 | Leslie Lassetter | Hannah Schneider (flute), Ron Dann (clarinet), Jean Monroe (piano) | ||
| December 9 | Michael Cicone | Seven Times Salt
(Will be held at Friends' Meeting House at Cambridge, 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge) |
||
| January 13 | Barbara Finney | Jacqueline Schwab (solo piano) | ||
| January 27 | Barbara Finney | Open Band led by Jacqueline Schwab | ||
| February 10 | Michael Cicone | Barbara Pixton (piano), Bruce Randall (winds), Johanna Bobrow (fiddle) | ||
| February 24 | Michael Cicone | Jean Monroe (piano), Jonathan Gilbert (fiddle and recorders), Bruce Randall (winds) | ||
| March 10 | Leslie Lassetter | Anne Hooper (violin), Johanna Bobrow (violin), Ken Allen (viola), Robert Penny (cello) | ||
| March 24 | Mary Devlin | Seven Times Salt | ||
| April 14 Good Friday |
Michael Cicone Will start at 8:30 |
Ken Allen (solo piano) | ||
| April 28 | Michael Cicone | Katie Reimer (piano), Barbara Pixton (accordion), Ron Dann (clarinet) | ||
| May 12 | Barbara Finney | Johanna Bobrow (violin), Vince O'Donnell (violin), Ken Allen (viola), Robert Penny (cello) | ||
| May 26 | Leslie Lassetter | Carol Compton (piano), Bruce Randall (winds), Jonathan Gilbert (fiddle and recorders) | ||
| June 9 | Barbara Finney | Open Band led by Jacqueline Schwab | ||
| June 23 | Barbara Finney | Ken Allen (piano), Vince O'Donnell (fiddle) |
|
Friday, February 10, 2006: "Bring a Friend" night Bring a friend who's new to our dance, and that friend will get a coupon for half price at a future dance. Friday, March 10, 2006: Jane Austen dance Friday, May 12, 2006: Spiffy Dress night Friday, June 23, 2006: Dessert Potluck |
Membership Information
As you may (or may not) know, our dance series is sponsored by the Country Dance Society - Boston Centre. That means that we don't have to rely solely on charging admission to pay musicians, callers, or for the use of the hall. CDS-Boston has been promoting traditional and contemporary dance and dance music since 1915. So, if you are not already a CDS member, now is the time to sign up (for as little as $10/yr!) and get the member discount every time you come dance with us!
To join CDS-Boston, print out and mail the membership application, with payment enclosed, to the address indicated at the top of the form. At this time, CDS isn't set up for credit cards or web pay options.
Parking Suggestions
Parking in Harvard Square is extremely limited and difficult to find. Consider alternative means of transportation first.
We recommend that you take an MBTA bus or train to the Square, and then walk the rest of the way. From the Square just walk north on Mass Ave (Rt 2A), staying on the west side of the street until you reach the end of the Cambridge Common at the intersection with Waterhouse St. Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church should be directly across Mass Ave. By the way, if you are on Mass Ave. then you are moving north when Harvard Yard is off to your right.
(map)
If you are feeling lucky and are determined to drive then you certainly can try to look for parking on the street. At least you won't have to feed the parking meter after 6pm. Try looking on Kirkland and Oxford St near the Harvard Science Center, on Everett and Oxford St near the Harvard Natural History Museums, or on Mass Ave and Garden St next to the Cambridge Common. Although those are the closest parking spots to the church there are many other streets with non-permit parking available. However, it can take some time to find an open spot. Good luck! For the less patient, there are commercial parking lots on Church Street, at the corner of Eliot and JFK, and near the Charles Hotel.
| Dances done in 2005-06 | Last updated: 06-27-2006 |