English Country

WELCOME TO ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING IN SEATTLE

. . . where friends meet to dance and new friends are made. We are friendly people who laugh together, play together, and dance together almost every week.

  • No partner needed. We switch partners for every dance.
  • Live music with some of the best musicians in Seattle.
  • Each dance is taught and called with at least one walk-through, having the music played to understand the pace of the dance.
  • We are a fragrance-free dance community. For the enjoyment of all, please refrain from wearing scented products.
  • We no longer require proof of vaccination.
  • Most dances are mask-optional. Exceptions are indicated.
  • For each event, we specify what calling style you can expect: gender-neutral, or mixed (mostly positional with occasional gender terms).
  • We suggest you bring your own water bottle. Feel free to bring a snack to share at the break.

Friday Dances are generally the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Fridays, plus occasional other events.

  • Regular Friday dances are held at the Swedish Cultural Center (SCC), 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109.
  • Newcomers session from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Dance from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
  • Suggested donation $10.00 – $20.00, students under 26 years – $5.

Sunday Afternoon Tea Dances, generally 1st and 3rd Sundays each month.

  • Tea Dances are held at University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE – Room 209
  • Dance: 3:30 -5:45 pm. Newcomers session 3:00- 3:30 pm.
  • Suggested donation $10 – $20.
  • You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

SPECIAL DANCE EVENTS

Occasional Fundamentals Workshops (see schedule below)

These workshops will allow you some extra time to get 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 newer dancers but all are welcome! 

Occasional Challenging Dances (see schedule below)

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, and can keep your head while all about you are losing theirs, this might be for you.

UPCOMING DANCES

Sunday, December 8, 2024 – Fundamentals Workshop

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: Rachel Pusey (gender-neutral calling)
Musicians: Anita Anderson and recorded music
Time: 3:15 – 4:45 pm
Admission $5 – $10.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Please note that the music workshop that was originally planned for this date has been cancelled. We’ll look for a workable date this spring.

Friday, December 13, 2024

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Caller: Karen Shaw
Musicians: Julie King, Betsy Cooper, and Dave Bartley
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Newcomers session: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $10 – $20.

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: Lindsey Dono (gender-neutral calling)
Musicians: Laurie Andres and Hayden Stern
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Saturday, January 4, 2025 – Ball Prep Workshop

Suitable for newer dancers. We’ll focus on fundamentals, and learn some of the simpler dances on the Feb ball program.
Location: Haller Lake Community Club, 12579 Densmore Ave N
Caller: Rachel Pusey (gender-neutral calling)
Recorded music
Time: 4:00 – 5:45 pm
Suggested donation $5-15

Sunday, January 5, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: TBD
Musicians: TBD
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Friday, January 10, 2025

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Newcomers session: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $10 – $20

Saturday, January 11 & 18, 2025 – Ball Prep Workshops

Suitable for newer dancers. We’ll focus on fundamentals, and learn some of the simpler dances on the Feb ball program.
Location: Haller Lake Community Club, 12579 Densmore Ave N
Caller: Rachel Pusey (gender-neutral calling)
Recorded music
Time: 4:00 – 5:45 pm
Suggested donation $5-15

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: TBD
Musicians: TBD
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Newcomers session: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $10 – $20

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: TBD
Musicians: TBD
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Friday, February 7, 2025

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Newcomers session: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $10 – $20

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: TBD
Musicians: TBD
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, February 16, 2025  Ball Workshop

We will review the more difficult dances on the program.  No first-time dancers, please.

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Callers:  Peter and Mary Zarich
Musicians: TBD
Time: 3:15 – 5:45 pm              No newcomers session.
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Newcomers session: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $10 – $20

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, March 16, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller:   Margaret Bary
Musicians: TBD
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Friday, March 21, 2025

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Newcomers session: 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $10 – $20

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Location: University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15 – 3:30
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side.

 

Information on English Country Dancing

For information about English Country Dancing in Seattle, please contact:

  • Karen Shaw, 206-455-5571, dancerfolk@gmail.com
  • Mary Stevens Zarich, 425-771-2973, ladymary@stevens.net

Programs of Previous Seattle Dances

For programs of previous Seattle dances, click Seattle ECD Programs.