Our Jane Austen Ball is fully subscribed, and we have closed registration to allow us to provide a final count to our caterer. If cancellations occur the registrar will be in touch with those who are on the wait list.
Latest News
Filtered by Category: Announcements
Ruth’s Week at Camp
English Week at Pinewoods 2018 By Ruth Hyde On a freezing cold, blustery day in January, I am reminiscing about last summer’s English week at Pinewoods and trying to imagine the pleasant warm weather and good times we had there. This year I was fortunate to have Anne Roskowski, a scholarship winner, to share… Read more »
Tom Bannister Memorial – Update
Response to our call for donations towards a memorial in Tom Bannister’s memory to support Highland Park and the Lamberton Conservatory was great. With these results, we have now discussed the memorial with the horticultural staff at the Monroe County Parks Department. We have decided to go with a Victorian style bench on the patio… Read more »
CDSS Affiliates Slide Show
We are pleased to be included twice in the slide show produced by CDSS to celebrate their affiliates. See if you can find both pictures! On your travels, any of these affiliates, and others not represented here, would be happy to have you join them for a dance. And consider adding CDSS and CDR to… Read more »
Jan. 20 English dance is cancelled
Sorry folks, we have had to cancel tonight’s English dance (January 20). Travel difficulties from the snow and extreme cold we might have been able to handle, but the parking lot at First Baptist has a foot of snow on it and we cannot be certain that it will be cleared by dance time. We hope… Read more »
Free dance to celebrate Ruth’s birthday!
We will be celebrating Ruth Hyde’s 90th birthday with a free English dance on Sunday, December 9 at Covenant United Methodist Church. The event starts with a potluck dinner at 5:30 pm followed by dancing with caller David Smukler and Sister Haggis.
Big Dance Thanksgiving Weekend
It’s our 35th Annual Thanksgiving Dance Weekend, November 23 and 24 2018. So you’ve gorged on all the great family food and loosened that constricting clothing … NOW it’s time to DANCE! Here’s the lineup: The Groovemongers are Jane Knoeck, keyboards, Rebecca McCallum, fiddle, Tom Santarsiero, guitar, mandolin, banjo, Mark “Pokey” Hellenberg, percussion. For nearly… Read more »
Happy Birthday to Richard Sauvain
Join us at the English Country Dance on Sunday 10/21 to celebrate Richard Sauvain’s milestone birthday! The dance is free, courtesy of Sharon Emerson. Richard founded the English dance series back in the early 1980s. He is a pillar of our CDR community, calling for English dances in his gentle and encouraging style, supporting the… Read more »
Another Door for Contra
Covenant United Church is having work done to install an elevator! What this means for us is that we cannot use the regular doors off the parking lot to enter the hall. Starting this week and for the next few weeks, enter by a doorway closer to Parsells. Look for signs! And remember you can… Read more »
September is Membership Month
Renew your membership now! Membership Membership in CDR is open to all. Our members receive a host of benefits, and their membership dues help support the annual costs of the organization (including insurance, web hosting, and advertising). Additionally, as a member organization of the Country Dance & Song Society (CDSS), our members also receive benefits… Read more »
Tom Bannister Memorial Tree
Tom Bannister was a delightful participant in all the forms of community dance sponsored by CDR, learned in our traditions, and passionate in his support for CDR from its founding. We hold his memory close to our hearts. As he was also devoted to Highland Park and the Lamberton Conservatory, the family requested donations in… Read more »
Join us at the Netherfield Ball
Media coverage in advance of the ball: http://www.monroecopost.com/news/20180813/netherfield-ball-open-to-novice-dancers Our annual Saturday afternoon dance designed to introduce novices to English country dancing. Lisa Brown, assisted by the Meryton Assembly Dancers, will teach you all you need to know to enjoy dances from Jane Austen’s time. There will be Regency period costumes, delectable refreshments, gorgeous live music,… Read more »
CDR Elections & Annual Meeting
CDR’s annual meeting and elections will be held at the contra dance on September 20 and the English dance on September 23. You must be a CDR member to vote. Renew your membership now! Please vote at only one dance, not both. No double-dipping! The candidates for officers for 2018-2019 are: President: Lisa Brown Vice… Read more »
Dance like Jane Austen at the Netherfield Ball
Our Netherfield Ball is an annual Saturday afternoon dance designed to introduce novices to English country dancing. Lisa Brown, assisted by her demo team, will teach you all you need to know to enjoy dances from Jane Austen’s time. There will be Regency period costumes, delectable refreshments, gorgeous live music, a Ball featuring easy… Read more »
Dancing at Old Fort Niagara
The Meryton Assembly Dancers at Old Fort Niagara 2018 at Old Fort Niagara On Saturday & Sunday, July 28 & 29, the Meryton Assembly Dancers introduced the history-loving public to English Country Dancing at the Old Fort Niagara’s War of 1812 Grand Encampment. This was the largest gathering of War of 1812 re-enactors in 2018… Read more »
A Celebration of Fun and Community! Saturday, 8/4/18
Saturday, August 4, 2018 Noon to 4:00 PM What is more fun than a contra dance? A potluck lunch followed by a contra dance – in a real barn – just might be the thing. On Saturday, August 4th , there will be a free celebration of fun and community! Everyone is welcome – absolute… Read more »
No English dance on July 29, it’s a 5th Sunday!
Our next dance is August 5.
Watch this space for announcements
Cancellations or schedule changes are announced here, as well as short CDR news items.
EXTRA! Read All About It. HUZZAH!
We extend warm thanks to Jennifer Reed and Amanda Dedie of Messenger Post Media and their Team in beautiful Canandaigua NY for publishing the illustrated essay co-written by Lisa Brown and Dave Boyer about the 12th annual Jane Austen Ball. On newsstands now.
Jane Austen Ball is filled to capacity
Even though we are full, there are sometimes last minute cancellations, so if you would still like to come, contact our registrar at or 585-223-2655 to discuss your options. We are still accepting non-lunch Observers at $25 (including the afternoon refreshments). You can either contact the Ball Registrar or just pay at the door (cash or… Read more »
Camp Scholarship Applications Invited
Country Dancers of Rochester, Inc. (CDR) is an educational organization which is dedicated to the preservation, study, teaching, enjoyment and continuing evolution of English and American traditional and historical dance and dance music. We believe these goals are furthered by providing financial support for members to gain experience and expertise that would directly benefit our… Read more »
Sad News: Dr Bannister
We have just been informed by his son, Horatio, that Dr. Tom Bannister passed away Monday, January 15, 2018. Plans are being made for a memorial service at the University of Rochester Interfaith Chapel in late June. Tom was a passionate supporter of traditional country dancing since the founding of the Country Dancers of Rochester in… Read more »
Tonight’s English dance (Jan. 14) is on!
Tonight’s English dance (Jan. 14) is on. It’s very cold out, but roads are plowed.
Saturday “On a Winter’s Night” CANCELLED
The special dance scheduled for Saturday, January 13, has been CANCELLED due to inclement weather. The contra/couples dance extravaganza scheduled for Saturday, January 13, with the band Lake Effect has been cancelled. Keep warm and safe and we’ll let you know about plans to reschedule. UPDATE: this event is now Valentine’s Bliss: A Contra/Couples Dance Revelry, and… Read more »
Tonight’s (Jan 4) Contra is ON!
We’re going to have a hot time dancing Contra tonight with Andrew VanNorstrand, Casey Murray, and Cecelia Vacanti playing for us. Nancy Spero will be calling. It’ll be a great warm-up for a frozen Friday.
We’re happy with our new website!
CDR is very happy to introduce our new website. Ethan Hazzard-Watkins has done a great job building the new framework for us to use to let you know about all the fun dances coming up.
Fill Out Our Brief Thanksgiving Dance Weekend Survey
We had a great time with the Great Bear Band, Peregrine Road, Susan Kevra, Sarah VanNorstrand, and everyone who helped to put on the weekend. We’d love to know what you thought of it. Please take a moment to complete our brief, five question survey. If the Survey Monkey box above doesn’t work on your… Read more »
Register now for our Thanksgiving Festival
Join us for our 34th annual Thanksgiving Dance Weekend! Our festival is one of the region’s favorite contra dance events: we feature nationally known bands and callers, a fine selection of workshops, and fantastic evening dances. This year’s headliners are Great Bear Band, Peregrine Road, and callers Susan Kevra and Sarah VanNorstrand! There’s much, much… Read more »