Welcome to CSCD’s website

Circle Dance; it is sociable and nourishes body, mind and spirit.

So, come and find a Dancing Circle near you.

“Dancing is the best exercise” How to Stay Young, BBC2

There are no such thing as mistakes in circle dancing, only variations . . . and all variations are welcome.

Anne Parry

Dance Video Libraries

Dear dancers and teachers,

We are pleased to announce a brand new look to our Video Library, which now has TWO SECTIONS – Traditional dances and Choreographed dances.

Those of you who have followed the birth and growth of our video library since its inception two years ago, will know that we have amassed a wide variety of videos, featuring both traditional and choreographed dances. We hope that by splitting the videos into two sections, it will be quicker for teachers and dancers when searching for a particular dance, and wanting to check dance steps and arm movements. You may discover new dances to teach your groups, and come to regard the library as a reliable source of dance information.

We are indebted to Adrian Pointon for his help in providing videos and step notations for many of the dances in the traditional section. We are also indebted to Judy King for agreeing to share hers and Mandy’s copyright step notations in return for a donation (in Mandy’s memory) to the Severn Hospice. If you would like to see how to make a donation, click on the PDF step note link on videos where it states that notations are available from Judy’s sources.

Enjoy browsing our collection and happy dancing to you all,
from the CSCD video team

“… thank you […] for the wonderful resource you have provided for teachers […]. I have [used it] for some time, and I was delighted when you started to list traditional dances too. Many thanks again for providing this invaluable resource, and making it freely available […].”

Maia Starkey, September 2022

What is Circle Dance?

Dancing in a circle is an ancient tradition common to many cultures around the globe for all sorts of reasons. The dancing might mark special occasions, strengthen community or encourage togetherness.

Modern circle dance draws on the rich and diverse traditional dances of countries. These include the Balkans, Greece, Israel, Russia, and France. In the 40 years or so that circle dance has spread around the world, there is a growing repertoire of choreographed dances to music from native and traditional to country, rock, pop and classical.

Circle dances can be energetic and lively, or gentle and reflective. The aim is to experience the joy of dancing with others and to create a sense of well-being and community.

Anyone of any age or ability can circle dance and most dances can be adapted to allow for different abilities. Each dance is taught, there is normally no audience, partners are not needed and we have a saying:

There is no such thing as mistakes in circle dancing, only variations . . . and all variations are welcome.

If you would like to find out more about Circle Dance and CSCD, please follow the following links:

“I’ve just spent a lovely day circle dancing with friends from Kinross, Cupar, Auchterarder and Sauchie circle dancing groups. Happy dancing a variety of dances to beautiful music professionally taught by our individual teachers Lynne, Rose, Elke, Maria and Keryn. Also tasty refreshments to sustain us in a lovely venue. Thank you all for such a pleasurable day. Looking forward to many more of the same. Thank you. Xx

Jessie