Dear dance, music, and song organizers,

This issue of Shop Talk is a brief update with some timely information. We hope you enjoy! 
Web Chat Next Week!
Let’s Talk About Reentry: Recommendations and Q&A for Organizers

Wednesday, July 8, 7:30-9:00 p.m. EDT

Don’t miss this pivotal Web Chat! We’ll address the BIG questions on organizers’ minds: How can we keep our communities safe in a pandemic? When can we dance and sing in the same place again? What does it mean to be a dance/music/song organizer when we can’t be together?

We’ll be joined by several guests providing their perspectives, including a dancing MD, a COVID contact tracer, and music, dance, and song organizers from far and wide. After hearing from these folks, we’ll open it up for questions, comments, and discussion with participants. And we’ll be ready with breakout rooms for smaller chats among organizers of like traditions.

REGISTER online by July 6.
Soon after you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Zoom with your personal link for joining the Web Chat. To keep track of this info, w e recommend saving the email and/or creating a calendar event.

Please spread the word about this crucial Web Chat!
Questions? Contact [email protected] .
2020 Survey
Thank you to our Affiliates!

Many of you who receive Shop Talk are also Affiliate members of CDSS and recently participated in our annual survey. Thank you so much to those of you who added your voice! We heard from 62% of our Affiliates — this incredible response rate allows us to learn so much about the interests, challenges, and needs of the Affiliate network.

Data analysis has begun and your input is already shaping our work by helping to inform the focus for next week’s web chat. If you are a data geek (like some of us!) and want to dive into the findings, watch for the report to come out sometime this fall.

Congratulations to CDSS-Pittsburgh who was the recipient of the drawing for a community workshop of their choice.

If you are an organizer of a group who isn’t yet an Affiliate, please think about joining our network . We have so much to learn from each other and we can be an incredible support system when we work together.
COVID-19
Resources to support local communities in maintaining connection and community!

One concern that we heard through the 2020 Affiliate survey was that many organizers continue to grapple with how to maintain connections within their community while not gathering in person. This concern makes so much sense when we consider how many people rely on our dance, music, and song communities for so much more than the actual activity we do together. Our community can be a core part of someone’s social network, how they identify themselves, and where they find support in hard times.

CDSS has been compiling ideas from local communities on how to maintain connection during these times. If you are interested in this topic, check out:

  • The April Web Chat, where local organizers shared ideas on how to maintain connection early on in the pandemic. These ideas are still very much relevant!


  • Calendar of Online Events, where many groups and individuals are organizing digital gatherings that can be shared with members of your local community. Interested in holding your own Zoom gathering? Here are some helpful tips from Eric Black on achieving the best sound possible through Zoom.
Photo: Sarah Lee
Wishing you all the best,

Emily Addison (Consultant) & Linda Henry (Community Resources Manager)
 
For specific requests or advice , email Linda at  [email protected] . If you have comments about this issue or suggestions for the next Shop Talk, email [email protected] .
During this time of uncertainty, we are committed to continuing our work fostering connection. Your financial support would mean a lot, and will help to ensure that we emerge from this crisis as strong as ever. Make a gift, or become a member.