WELCOME TO ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE IN SEATTLE
. . . where old friends meet to dance and new friends are made
- Live music
- No partner needed; we switch partners for every dance
- Each dance is taught and called
Read more about what English Country Dance is.
REGULAR EVENTS
Sunday Afternoon Dances
Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE (Room 209)
Use the code 6160 to enter the building on the west side
Tea Dances – 1st & 3rd Sundays
3:30-5:45 pm, newcomers session 3:15-3:30 pm
Occasional Workshops – 2nd Sundays
Fundamentals Workshop 3:15-4:45 pm
Basics to Ball Workshop 3:15-5:45 pm
Intermediate Workshop 3:15-4:45 pm
Challenging Dances 3:15-5:45 pm
Weeknight Dances – 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
Location: The Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave N (Stockholm Room)
7:00-9:30 pm; the first hour will feature easier dances and teaching
Tuesday dances are all gender-neutral (GN)
General
- We are a fragrance-free dance community; for the enjoyment of all, please refrain from wearing scented products
- We suggest you bring your own water bottle, and feel free to bring a snack to share at the break
- Use of gender-neutral language is indicated by GN after the caller’s name
- Suggested donation $10-$20
UPCOMING DATES
Wed, Nov 5, 2025 – House Party
7-9pm, Green Lake area
Sun, Nov 9, 2025 – Fundamentals Workshop
Is this for me?
Caller: Rachel Pusey (GN)
With Anita Anderson on piano and recorded music
Tue, Nov 11, 2025 – Weeknight Dance
NO DANCE. Venue closed for Veterans Day.
Sun, Nov 16, 2025 – Tea Dance
Caller: Ric Goldman of Portland, OR (GN)
Musicians: Laurie Andres and Ruthie Dornfeld
Tue, Nov 25, 2025 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: Theresa Barker and Peter Zarich (GN)
Musicians: John Parejko and Koren Wake
Sun, Dec 7, 2025 – Tea Dance
Caller: Lindsey Dono (GN)
Musicians: Hayden Stern and Anita Anderson
Tue, Dec 9, 2025 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: Theresa Barker (GN)
Musicians: Sande Gillette, Olga Hauptman, and Guinevere Saenger
Sun, Dec 14, 2025 – Challenging Dances
Is this for me?
Callers: Lindsey Dono and Russell Owen (GN)
Musicians: Ali Webb and Hayden Stern
Sun, Dec 21, 2025 – Tea Dance
Caller: Charlene Kern
Musicians: TBD
Sun, Jan 4, 2026 – Tea Dance
Caller: TBD
Musicians: TBD
Sun, Jan 11, 2026 – Basics to Ball Workshop
Is this for me?
Caller: Rachel Pusey (GN)
With Anita Anderson on piano and recorded music
Tue, Jan 13, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: TBD (GN)
Musicians: TBD
Sun, Jan 18, 2026 – Tea Dance
Caller: TBD
Musicians: Karen Axelrod and Night Heron
Tue, Jan 27, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Probably no dance due to venue maintenance.
Sun, Feb 1, 2026 – Tea Dance
Caller: Charlene Kern
Musicians: TBD
Sun, Feb 8, 2026 – Basics to Ball Workshop
Is this for me?
Caller: Rachel Pusey (GN)
With Anita Anderson on piano and recorded music
Tue, Feb 10, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: TBD (GN)
Musicians: TBD
Sun, Feb 15, 2026 – Seattle Ball Dance Review
Callers: Peter and Mary Zarich
Musicians: TBD
Tue, Feb 24, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: Orly Krasner (GN)
Musicians: TBD
Fri, Feb 27/Sat, Feb 28, 2026 – Seattle Ball Weekend
The highlight of our dancing year! See ball website for details. The Friday Welcome Dance is open to all.
Tue, Mar 10, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: TBD (GN)
Musicians: TBD
Tue, Mar 24, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: TBD (GN)
Musicians: TBD
Tue, Apr 14, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: TBD (GN)
Musicians: TBD
Tue, Apr 28, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: TBD (GN)
Musicians: TBD
Tue, May 12, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: TBD (GN)
Musicians: TBD
Tue, May 26, 2026 – Weeknight Dance
Caller: TBD (GN)
Musicians: TBD
ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS
Fundamentals Workshop
These workshops will allow you some extra time to become more familiar with the basics you need to enjoy ECD events in Seattle and elsewhere. We’ll dance a few less complex dances, spend time on core figures (patterns), and answer some of those questions you’ve been puzzling over. Suitable for new dancers but all are welcome!
Basics to Ball Workshop
Similar to the Fundamentals Workshop, but focusing on simpler dances from the ball program. There will be two such workshops, in Jan & Feb.
Intermediate Workshop
If you are already comfortable with the basics of ECD but want to be able to tackle more complex dances, this is a workshop to build your confidence and self-reliance. We’ll spend time on double figures of eight and heys, strategies for understanding and remembering a dance, and we’ll think about how to make a dance more than the sum of its parts.
Challenging Dances Workshop
A mixture of brain teasers, dances that reward a little polishing, and some old favorites too difficult for social programs. If you’re comfortable with double figures of eight and all kinds of heys, can execute complex figures without help from other dancers and keep your head while all about you are losing theirs, this might be for you.
INFORMAL EVENTS
Occasionally dancers host events at their homes, including:
- Pot-luck socials: Food and conversation – a great chance to get to know each other better.
- House parties: Informal dance events, often with an open band, and snacks. Dancers of all levels welcome.
- Calling parties: “Lab” sessions for callers to build their skills and problem-solve together. Never called before but want to try? Come along!
Contact us to RSVP and for specific details of each event.
CONTACT US
For information about English Country Dancing in Seattle, please contact:
- info@seattleecd.org
- Mary Stevens Zarich, 425-771-2973
PAST PROGRAMS
For programs of previous Seattle dances, click here.