About CCD
The Chattahoochee Country Dancers (CCD) is a non-profit organization that sponsors contra dances in the Atlanta area. We are a local center of the Country Dance and Song Society of America (CDSS) and are incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia and recognized as tax exempt under IRS rules. CCD teaches and supports traditional American dance, New England and Southern contra dance and square dance.
Steering Committee
Organizing and presenting dances is an all-volunteer effort, with callers and musicians receiving nominal fees for their services. The steering committee is made up of volunteers from the dancers. Its responsibilities include:
- Scheduling of callers and bands
- Finances
- Artistic Direction
- Publications
- Other dance community concerns
Meetings of the Steering Committee are open to everyone and are posted on our schedule. You may also contact Pam Eidson at pam.eidson at gmail.com, or 770-314-7765, for the date and directions to the next meeting.
Minutes of the Steering Committee Meetings
Participation
We invite you to join in the energy and spirit of contra dancing. Dancing is an egalitarian and full-participation recreation and your involvement is encouraged. From setting up before or cleaning up after a dance, to helping organize a special event, there is something for everyone. Your dance community benefits from your help and participation. Contact our volunteer coordinators.
Dancing
This form of traditional country dancing involves couples in formations of lines, circles, and squares, set to the folk tunes of America and the British Isles. We gather most Friday nights at the Morningside Baptist Church in Atlanta and alternate Tuesdays at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Decatur.
Orientation for newcomers begins around 7:30 (Fridays only) and includes a teaching session for the basic figures and courtesies. Dancing for all starts around 8 pm. Price at the door is $7.
Special Events
We sponsor a yearly dance festival in November, and occasionally other events such as pool parties and dawn dances. We encourage you to volunteer to help.
Policy on Appropriate Behavior
The CCD is organized to promote contra dancing as a high-spirited dance that can be elegant, lively and most importantly, fun. We endeavor to ensure that everyone has fun and feels safe in our environment, and we teach and promote appropriate and safe dancing styles.
Inappropriate behavior could entail:
- Rough dancing
- Dancing in such a way that others feel physically challenged or threatened
- Behavior that constitutes harassment of any kind
If a fellow dancer does anything to you that you deem offensive or inappropriate, it is suggested that you make an effort to let that person know. If you cannot tell them during the dance, then try to do so afterwards. If you are not comfortable speaking directly with the person who has behaved in a way you feel inappropriate, please feel free to approach any of the dance organizers. Dancers who repeatedly exhibit offensive or inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave.
Documents
- CCD Dance Flyer (pdf) - You can print this out and distribute it where ever you go.
- Final By-laws of the Chattahoochee Country Dancers, Inc. (pdf)
- Callers Evaluation and Promotion Process (pdf)
- Band Scheduling Guidelines (pdf)
- Contra Dance Etiquette (pdf)
- Hanging Light Instructions (pdf)