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 with at least one walk-through, having the music played to understand the pace of the dance, and called.
  • Dance patterns are prompted throughout by the caller.
  • We are a fragrance free dance community

Beginning in September, we will no longer require proof of vaccination. We will alternate masks- required and mask-optional dances (designated M and MO in the schedule).

We suggest you bring your own water bottle, but we do share snacks at the breaks. Please feel free to bring a goodie to share.

Friday Dances are generally the 2nd, 4th, & 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.
  • For the enjoyment of all, please refrain from wearing scented products.

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 the 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.

2023 Schedule

Friday, September 15, 2023

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109
Caller: Mary Stevens Zarich and Peter Zarich
Musicians: Julie King, Sande Gillette and Alec Keith
Time: 7:30 – 10:00 pm Newcomers session 7:10 – 7:30 pm.
Admission: $10 – $20.

Sunday, September 17, 2023 MO (masks optional)

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

Friday, September 29, 2023 (masks optional)

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109
Caller: Karen Shaw
Musician: Laurie Andres, Olga Hauptman, and Charles Coldwell
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Newcomers session 7:00 – 7:30 pm.
Admission: $10 – $20.

Sunday, October 1, 2023 MO (masks optional)

Location- University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: Rachel Pusey and Dilip Sequeira
Musicians: Lisa Scott and Elke Baker
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15- 3:30 pm.
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side

Sunday, October 8, 2023 Fundamentals of English Dance

Location- University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: Rachel Pusey
Musician: Anita Anderson and recorded music
Time: 3:15 – 4:45 pm
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side

Friday, October 13, 2023—masks

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109
Caller: Charlene Kern
Musicians: Dawn Corl, Laurel Lisez, Dennis Calvin, Stewart Hougen

Time: 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Newcomers session 7:00 – 7:30 pm.
Admission: $10 – $20.

Sunday, October 15, 2023 M

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

Sunday, October 22, 2023 MO

(Portland Ball Walkthrough: no first-timers, please)

Location- University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: Peter and Mary Zarich
Musicians: Laurie Andres and friends
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side

Friday, October 27, 2023
Halloween Costumes Encouraged — masks optional

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109
Caller: Laura Mé Smith
Musician: Terry Wergeland, Ruthie Dornfeld, and another
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Newcomers session 7:00 – 7:30 pm.
Admission: $10 – $20.

NO Sunday Tea Dance on November 5, 2023

due to the annual English Country Ball Weekend in Portland, OR

Friday, November 10, 2023

Location: Swedish Club, 1920 Dexter Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109
Caller: TBD
Musician: Terry Wergeland, Joe Grote, Mary Varnum, Stewart Hougen, Brandi Ledferd, and Dennis Calvin
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Newcomers session 7:00 – 7:30 pm.
Admission: $10 – $20.

Sunday, November 12, 2023 Advanced Class

Location- University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: Cavalcade of Callers
Musicians: TBD
Time: 3:15 – 4:45 pm
Admission $10 – $20.
You will need to use the code of 6160 to enter the building on the west side

Sunday, November 19, 2023 MO

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

Sunday, December 3, 2023 M

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

Sunday, December 17, 2023 MO

Location- University Heights Center, 5031 University Way NE
Caller: Karen Shaw
Musicians: TBD
Time: 3:30 – 5:45 pm Newcomers session 3:15- 3:30 pm.
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, 206-784-2028, 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.