Books on Contradancing

Most books referenced can be ordered from the Country Dance and Song Society

Country Dance and Song Society
Sales Department
17 New South Street
Northampton, MA 01060

Phone: 413-584-9913 (9:30am to 5pm EST, Mon -> Fri)
Fax: 413-585-8728
CDSS Members receive 10% discount on purchases from the Sales Department

CDSS on-line pricelist


Armstrong, Don. (1973). The Caller/Teacher Manual for Contras. Los Angeles: Sets in Order American Square Dance Society.

Holden, Rickey, Kulbitsky, Olga, & Kaltman, Frank L. (1956). The Contra Dance Book. Newark, N.J.: Folkcraft.

Miller, Ralph, & Perron, Jack. (1983). New England Fiddler's Repertoire. East Alstead, NH: Fiddlecase Books.

Jennings, Larry. (1983). Zesty Contras. Cambridge, Massachusetts: New England Folk Festival Association.

Page, Ralph. (1969). The Ralph Page Book of Contras. London: English Folk Dance and Song Society.

Page, Ralph. (1976). Heritage Dances of Early America. Hudson, Florida: Lloyd Shaw Foundation.

Page, Ralph. (1984). An Elegant Collection of Contras and Squares.

Parkes, Tony. (1992). Contradance Calling: A Basic Text.

Porter, William Stevens, Heffer, Marjorie, & Heffer, Arthur B. (Eds.). (1966). The Apted Book of Country Dances: Twenty-four country dances from the last years of the eighteenth century with tunes and instructions. London: English Folk Dance and Song Society. [Based on Thompson, 1774-1779.]

Sannella, Ted. (1982). Balance and Swing. New York: Country Dance and Song Society.

Thompson, Charles, & Thompson, Samuel. (1765 et seq.). Dances as they are performed at Court, Bath, and all Publick Assemblys. London. [Thompsons of St. Paul's Chruchyard published a collection of twenty-four dances each year. A selection is published in Porter (1966).]

Tolman, Beth, & Page, Ralph. (1976 [1937]). The Country Dance Book. Brattleboro, Vermont: Stephen Greene Press.