In June 2018, CDSS began a new Web Chat series to support organizers of dance, music, and song communities across the continent and beyond. For each Web Chat, a pertinent topic is chosen and guest organizers from communities having success with that topic are invited to share their valuable experiences and suggestions (Q&A included).
Save the date for the next Web Chat:
Let's Talk About Reentry, Part 3: An MD Discusses Vaccines, and We Discuss Our Sector’s Needs
Monday, March 1, 2021
7:00-8:30 PM Eastern
Join us for the third installment of the "Let's Talk About Reentry" Web Chat series, featuring presentations and discussions about how the pandemic has altered our communities' needs and how we can best prepare for returning to in-person dancing, singing, and music-making.
Register online by February 25. This Web Chat is for dance, music, and song organizers.
Soon after you register, Zoom will send you a confirmation email with your own personal link. You’ll need this info for joining the Web Chat! To keep track of it, we recommend saving the email and/or creating a calendar event.
Please share this invitation with your organizing friends! Questions? Contact resources@cdss.org.
Singing and Playing Music in REAL TIME!
An online discussion for organizers of song communities and open bands
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Members of the Sacred Harp group FaSoLa Philadelphia (PA) and the Phoenix (AZ) Traditional Music & Dance Society joined us for this conversation. During this Web Chat, they shared their successes with using the computer program Jamulus to enable their groups to sing and play music in real time!
We know a return to in-person singing and jamming is on the horizon, but it will still take some time before it’s safe to gather in groups. Find out how these groups have tackled the challenge of creating online real-time song and music sessions.
Let’s Talk About Reentry: Working Together Now for a Strong Return to Dancing
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
So much of what we love is on hold or shifting to online formats. But there will be a time when we dance together again. And there is work we can be doing during this down time to ensure a joyful and fulfilling return to the dance floor! In this second installment of the Let’s Talk About Reentry series, we talked about our evolving expectations for reentry, the changes we need to prepare for, and the important role organizers can play in preparing our communities for a bright future.
Supporting Song Communities Across the Continent
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Many organizers of song communities are finding creative ways to keep your community engaged and connected during the pandemic. In this Web Chat, we heard from organizers about experiences that are working well in their song groups. We featured a few guest speakers and took time for Q&A, open conversation, and breakout rooms.
Let’s Talk About Reentry: Recommendations and Q&A for Organizers
July 8, 2020
This Web Chat was hosted by Katy German, CDSS Executive Director.
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
We addressed 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 were joined by several guests who provided their perspectives, including a dancing MD, a COVID contact tracer, a professional freelance musician, and music, dance, and song organizers from far and wide. We also included time for Q&A and open conversations in breakout rooms.
Yes we CAN keep in touch!
Connecting Our Communities During the Pandemic
April 29, 2020
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Diversifying Income: Thinking Outside the Money Basket
February 12, 2020
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
- Shaking the Cushions – a PowerPoint from Web Chat guest Jennie Worden
This presentation provides many useful questions and suggestions to help each dance group assess which fundraising ideas will work best for their group. Ideas for additional income sources included.
Connecting Community Sing Organizers
October 16, 2019
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Building Safe Dance Communities
July 11, 2019
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
- CDSS Community Safety Task Group Toolkit: This is a work-in-progress draft of the Safety Toolkit being produced by the CDSS Board's Community Culture and Safety Task Group. The Toolkit provides exemplar language, drawn from communities across the U.S. & Canada, to aid local leaders in drafting their own safety guidelines and policies.
Family/Community Dance Organizers Unite!
April 4, 2019
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
- Chat Bar Transcription
Increasing Youth Involvement
January 16, 2019
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded at right)
Creating a Thriving Open Band
September 20, 2018
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded to the right)
Boosting AttenDANCE
June 21, 2018
- PowerPoint Slides
- Video Recording (also embedded to the right) - Note: We didn't capture the beginning of the chat. The recording begins with Jo Mortland of Chicago Barn Dance Company speaking.
Because the beginning of the Web Chat wasn't captured, we're offering the entire narrative from our first guest speaker on this page.