Introduction
This section of the CDSS Resource Portal holds as many of the best supports for traditional social dance organizers as we could find. Look across the tabs for resources organized by topic, opportunities to connect online with other organizers, and much more.
Most of the resources focus on contra, traditional squares, English country dance, and/or community and family dancing. However, many of the resources will also be useful to organizers from other traditions.
We are looking for community input to expand this section of the resource portal!
- Do you know of a resource that we could add? Maybe even something created by you or your local community? Let us know through this form.
- Is there a resource in the portal that should be updated? Let us know through this form.
- Have comments regarding the portal? Email portal@cdss.org.
- The CDSS Online Store also carries resources for dance organizers. Browse through the store here.
Many thanks from CDSS for all you are doing to support your community!
A few special highlights:
- Shop Talk - CDSS’s e-newsletter for organizers: In 2018, we launched a free quarterly e-newsletter specifically for organizers. Shop Talk includes updates about new resources, inspiring organizer stories, etc. Sign up for the e-newsletter.
- From 2018-2020, the Shop Talk e-newsletter featured interesting resources, highlighted best practices, and shared inspirational stories for organizers. As of 2021, Shop Talk has been redirected to the Affiliate eNews. Click here to browse previous issues.
Resources by Topic
This section of the resource portal is a fantastic place to look for specific resources to help you address issues your group is encountering or to find out about how other groups have successfully achieved initiatives you'd like to try. You will find support on the following topics below.
Share your resources: Do you have a resource you think should be shared on The Portal? Fill out this easy form to let us know about it!
Reminder: The CDSS Online Store also carries resources for dance organizers. Browse through the store here.
Having a clearly articulated vision can greatly impact the success of your event.
Within this section, you will find information on:
- How to create vision & mission statements
- Examples of visions
- Revitalizing and pulling together communities around a vision
Looking for where to start?
- CDSS’s tips on Crafting a Vision
- Max Newman’s brief explanation of the why and how of creating a vision.
- David Millstone’s 2011 session handout on how to create a vision
Other relevant material can likely found in the following sections: Community Culture; Community Safety; and Organizers & Volunteers.
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
Roots Contra: Celebrating the Traditional Roots of Modern Contra Dancing |
CDSS News: Spring 2020 Diane Silver, Laura Lengnick, and Karen Gaughan This article describes a new dance series in Asheville focused on the idea of Roots Contra - which values and highlights the core of the tradition (e.g., diversity of dance music; traditional dance music of New England, dancing in unison/with the whole room). |
Revitalization: How Do You Make a Dance Come Back to Life?
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CDSS News: Winter 2011 In this article, Joyce writes about the steps that her community took to revitalize their ‘flagging’ series. |
Sharing the Vision: Themes and Practical Ideas for Vibrant Dance Communities (Part 2)
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CDSS News: Winter 2011 A very quick read on the importance of a vision, how to create one and how to share it. |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Shoot for the Moon: Organizers’ roles in shaping the future of traditional dance |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 In this session, we will look at ways that organizers themselves can – and should – play a vital role in shaping a vibrant, active, and constantly-evolving dance community. Working both in small groups and as a whole, we will look at current trends in the dance scene, analyze the pros (and related cons) of each, and help participants plan new ways forward to shape the future directions of their scene. |
Vision: First Things First
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SW Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 What IS a vision/mission? How do we craft and implement a unique mission statement for our dance series? Why is this a crucial step in the growth of each dance? Whether your dance already has a mission statement, or you’re just starting to think about this, or you’re somewhere in between, this all-conference session will offer practical tools and thought-provoking perspectives for addressing this pertinent topic. Together we will explore these vital questions, generating answers to inform and guide our participation throughout the SWROC weekend. |
Vision: First Things First
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Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 It may not be explicitly articulated, but every dance series has a vision. Clarifying our vision is crucial because it guides us as we make decisions, large and small, which in turn shape the character of our particular series. How can organizers formulate a shared vision? What is your group’s vision for your dance, and how does it manifest? Together we will explore these vital questions, generating answers to inform and guide our participation throughout the weekend.
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Other Resources
Title | More information |
Crafting a Vision |
CDSS Website Content This resource contains a number of tips on how to create a vision and then how to put it into practice. |
Samples of Traditional Dance Vision Statements |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
Puttin' On The Dance 2011 Mission |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
This section focuses on a wide range of topics that impact the community culture/feel of dance events. For instance:
- How to welcome diverse communities
- How to shape a community culture through specific strategies
- Plus so much more!
Looking for where to start?
- Emily Addison & Tara Bolker’s 2015 session notes and PowerPoint slides on how community culture impacts dancer experience.
- Jeff Spero & Doc Litchman’s 2014 session notes and audio recording on how to build community.
- Sophia Donforth & Julia Bennett’s 2015 session notes on how to make a welcoming dance community for everyone.
Other relevant material can likely found in the following sections: Community Safety; Youth; Vision & Mission; and Increasing Attendance.
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
Response to: "A Figure by Any Other Name: Exploring Alternatives to Gypsy" |
CDSS News: Fall 2019 Dragan Gill An interesting exploration of the term gypsy, both in terms of how it is used in dance as well as in the broader cultural context. |
A Figure By Any Other Name: Exploring Alternatives to Gypsy |
CDSS News: Summer 2019 Katy German, Sue Stanton, Jeff Kaufman, and callers This article explores the use of the term gypsy in calling and presents a range of alternative options. |
Larks and Ravens: A Report from the Field |
CDSS News: Spring 2019 Dela & Dugan Murphy In this article Dela and Dugan share their experience as organizers introducing gender-free role terms at dances. They also provide some considerations on why organizers choose gender-free terms. |
Taking the Dance With You Into the World With NVC | CDSS News: Winter 2018-2019 Harriette Bugel & Bruce Hamilton In this article, Harriette and Bruce explore what Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and how it can be used within the dance community. |
Hive Mind: Celebrating Milestones |
CDSS News: Summer 2016 |
What’s Your Pronoun? |
CDSS News: Winter 2015-16 |
Crowded Dance Halls |
CDSS News: May/June 2005 |
Soles4Souls Shoe Drive |
CDSS Blog: February 2012 An interesting blog post about a shoe drive run by the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society and the spin off benefits to the community from that effort |
Workshops
Title | More information |
5 Benefits of Positional Calling (and one challenge) | 2021, Bay Area Country Dance Society A workshop with Louise Siddons, moderated by Brooke Friendly, at Fall Frolick 2021. |
Switching to Gender-Neutral Language in a Positive Way |
Diane Silver In this handout, Diane outlines a number of ideas for both organizers and callers to consider when switching to gender-neutral language. |
Organizer Discussion at the 2020 Flurry Festival |
Flurry Festival: 2020 Emily Addison These notes cover a wide range of rich conversations on increasing attendance, community culture, fundraising, and more. |
Organizer Discussion at the 2019 Dance Flurry |
Dance Flurry: 2019 This was the fourth annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. The group talked about upping attendance, community culture, finances, organizers/volunteers, and talent. |
Organizer Discussion at the 2017 Dance Flurry |
Dance Flurry: 2017 This was the second annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. Organizers shared ideas on how to increase attendance, build leadership, what to charge participants, and community culture. |
Beyond New Dancers: Upping your attendance by preaching to the converted |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Emily Addison & Tara Bolker While this session was focused on increasing attendance, much of the focus was on the community culture and vibe of events and how that impacts the participant experience. |
Welcoming Diverse Populations: Examining ways to make a welcoming dance community for everyone |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Who are your dancers? Who is missing from your dance floor, and why? We’ll examine ways to reach out to more diverse populations and how to make a more welcoming dance community for everyone. Bring an anecdote to share about a magic moment, or something you’d do differently. Participants will leave with a list of ways to reach new dancers, and make an inclusive dance “commons” that brings them back a second time! |
Unstraightening Contra: Community building through Gender-free dancing |
SW Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Contra dancing calls for distinct roles for men and for women, but people don’t always fit so neatly into those two boxes. In this workshop we will talk about our experience making traditional contras more welcoming for everyone, as well as our experience with our gender-neutral dance, Circle Left. Making contra less gendered not only makes your dance more inviting to LGBT people and to young people, but it also provides exciting new opportunities for straight and experienced contra dancers. |
From Beginner to Advanced: How to keep everyone happy |
SW Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Beginner, intermediate and advanced dancers all have different needs on the dance floor. Experienced dancers want hot-shot material and beginners need easily accessible dances. What can you do as an organizer to enhance happy co-existence? Dance selection can be a big issue in keeping everyone happy and wanting to return to your dance. The difficulty is being able to create a coexisting community with all levels of dancers. We’ll show you techniques you can use to increase the level of dance skill at your events quickly, all the while keeping the dancing fun for everyone. |
Building Community: How to keep the dance going when the music stops |
SW Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Why do so many people come to a dance once or twice and then drop out? How do we integrate all the people that show up for a dance and build a community for all? We’ve give you tips and techniques to build everlasting friendships within your dance community. |
Come Let’s Be Merry: Developing and Nurturing English Country Dance |
SW Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Everyone benefits from a vibrant and growing dance community. Is your ECD series as strong as you would like it to be? Having problems finding dancers, bringing up new callers, getting good musicians? Never quite seem to break even? Whether your dance is based in a small town or a large urban center, is run by one person or formal board, we’ll explore ways to tap into your own community’s unique potential to develop a lively, social, and growing dance. |
Shaping the Dance Experience: Influence dance style and manners through community involvement |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 This is a discussion of ways to influence dance style and manners through community and leadership involvement. What kind of dance experience do you want your series to promote? Once you define this and apply it to your particular series, you can take steps towards educating newer dancers, raising the level of intermediate dancers and satisfying experienced dancers.
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Building Community Through Gender Role Free Dancing |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Historically, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) people have created their own social structures as a way of defining and building community. The development of gender role free dancing has helped to create a new vision of dancing from a global perspective and provide a context for social dancing that continues to be relevant, inclusive and welcoming. This session will include a brief history of the modern-day gender role free dance movement followed by a discussion about how this dance form can transform a dance event and create opportunities for community-building. We will also explore the potential of this philosophy for adding new people to the richly diverse traditional dance scene of today. Each attendee will receive an informative manual containing some of the research we have done on the fascinating history of gender and dancing. |
Other Resources
Title | More information |
Gender-Free Dance Resources |
Lisa Heywood |
Switching to Gender-Neutral Language in a Positive Way |
2020 Diane Silver In this handout, Diane outlines a number of ideas for both organizers and callers to consider when switching to gender-neutral language. |
Dare To Be Square: Old Time Square Dance Handbook - a southern subset |
T-Claw An entertaining and informative handbook for square dance callers and organizers created by T-Claw, one of the many younger callers inspired by Bill Martin. The first half of the handbook contains lots of information for organizers including how to start a 'scene' and create an event, political considerations, how to bring square dance to the city, money, and more. This resource is primarily for traditional square dance callers. However it does contain some really helpful information for dance organizers! |
Contra Cliquishness: Healthy? |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores how contra dances can be cliquish and whether this is healthy. |
Larks/Robins? |
2019 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the terms Larks & Robins as an alternative to Larks & Ravens.The post is followed by an active discussion from the wider dance community. |
Larks/Ravens and Newcomers |
2019 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff presents data from BIDA regarding their switch to Larks/Ravens and he discusses the impact on newcomers. The post is followed by a community discussion. |
BIDA Signs |
2013 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff shares the signs that BIDA posts around the hall which reflect the values of their dance series. |
History of Larks/Ravens |
2019 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff presents a history of Larks/Ravens. The post is followed by a community discussion |
Right Shoulder Round |
2019 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the use of Right Shoulder Round to replace gypsy. The post is followed by a community discussion. |
This section focuses on how to make your events safe for all. For instance:
- How to be proactive in creating safe and welcoming space
- How to deal with issues regarding particular individuals
Looking for where to start?
- CDSS’s Community Safety Task Group Toolkit
- Will Loving’s CDSS News article on creating a dance environment that is safe for all.
Other relevant material can likely found in the following sections: Community Culture; Youth; Vision & Mission; and Increasing Attendance.
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
CDSS Community Safety Task Group Toolkit |
CDSS, 2020 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. |
Taking Someone Aside | CDSS News: Spring 2019 Jeff Kaufman In this article, Jeff shares his thoughts on how to have conversations with individuals identified as having bad behavior. |
Proactive Management of "Problem Dancers" – Creating a Dance Environment Safe for All |
CDSS News: Winter 2015-16 |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Building Safe Dance Communities |
CDSS Web Chat: 2019 Avia Moore, Diane Silver, Robert Zieber, Angela DeCarlis, Marcia Davis-Cannon, and Linda Henry This one-hour web chat featured organizers from three different dance communities throughout North America as well as the CDSS Community Safety Task Group. The organizers shared practices and learning from their own communities. This was followed by a rich question & answer period |
Problem Dancers: Proactive management and response; creating a dance environment safe for all
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Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 It’s a big question that we must all face: How can we manage our dances and respond to issues that arise in a way that allows for dancers of any age, gender expression or background to experience community dance as safe, respectful and fun? Or, more pointedly, how can we keep bad/creepy/unsafe/ inappropriate behavior from driving people away? This session will look at the variety of dancer behavior issues that can arise, the responses that can be required, responding effectively, ways to encourage the reporting of issues, ways to not be alone with difficult problems, and how to proactively create a culture of consent. |
The Unwanted Element: Preventing issues from arising on the floor and dealing with them when they do |
SW Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 What do you do when someone is assaulted at your dance? How do you respond when people complain about that “creepy” dancer? When someone is dancing in a manner that is putting their partners in danger? How do you address these issues and still maintain the goal of being a welcoming, tolerant community? It’s best to be prepared before situations like this arise. We’ll discuss these issues through sharing experiences and thoughtful discussion. |
Positive Solutions for Problems in your Dance Community |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 What do you do when someone is assaulted at your dance? How do you respond when people complain about that “creepy” dancer? When someone is dancing in a manner that is putting their partners in danger? How do you do it and still maintain the goal of being a welcoming, tolerant community? It’s best to be prepared before it happens to you. We’ll discuss these issues through role play, sharing experiences and thoughtful discussion. |
Handling Really Difficult People |
CDSS West Coast Leadership Conference: 2006 |
Other Resources
Special note: The dancer section of the portal contains a number of resources relating to etiquette which you may find of interest as an organizer.
Title | More information |
Asheville Old Farmers Ball: Safety | Old Farmers Ball, Asheville, NC A collection of documents used to address safety at dances, including behavior guidelines and detailed complaint policies and procedures. |
Pinterest pins: Community culture, feel, code of conduct |
CDSS Pinterest account: Ongoing |
Guide to Codes of Conduct |
Frame Shift Consulting: 2020 Valerie Aurora This free guidebook has some great information on creating codes of conduct as well as response procedures for complaints. Recommended by Marni Rachmiel |
Policy for Dealing with Complaints of Inappropriate Behavior | Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Chris Weiler, Montpelier Contra Dance Umbrella |
Taking a Safety Report |
2018 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff provides his thoughts on how to handle a safety complaint/problem when it is raised to you as an organizer. |
Legal Questions Around Safety Committees |
2018 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores some of the legal questions around safety committees at dances. The post is followed by a community discussion. |
Glen Echo Friday Night Dancers, MD |
Without participants, we don't have dance communities. Given that the lives of community members shift over time, it's important to continually work at bringing in new participants, especially if one is interested in having an intergenerational community.
Within this section, you will find information on:
- Getting brand new people to attend your event AND come back
- Keeping your regulars attending. For instance - examples of how to make your event feel special through effective announcements and welcoming hall décor.
Also, don't miss the related section on Promotion and Marketing. Other relevant material can likely be found in the following sections: Community Culture; Community Safety; Vision & Mission; and Youth.
CDSS Publications
Title | More Information |
CDSS Supports FIRST Contra Weekend in France! |
CDSS News: Spring 2020 Laurette Tuckerman While this article announces the first contra weekend in France, it also provides a lot of information on how Laurette created a successful contra dance series in Paris, which is introducing the tradition to a whole new audience in parts of Europe. |
Dance Across the Divide |
CDSS News: Spring 2020 Marty Albini This interesting article describes how contra and Modern Western square dancing organizers collaborated to introduce their respective communities to the other tradition - effectively cross-advertising. |
Hive Mind – Making New Dancers Feel Welcome, Safe and Eager to Return |
CDSS News: Spring 2017 |
Hive Mind— Attracting New Participants |
CDSS News: Spring 2016 |
ContraResolution―A Free Dance for Beginners |
CDSS News: Fall 2014 |
Meetup.com: A Resource to Consider? |
CDSS Blog: February 2011 Max Newman This blog post describes how Meetup.com can be used to bring in new dancers. |
Spontaneous Waltzing in Public Places |
CDSS News: Sep/Oct 2005 |
Homecoming Dance |
CDSS News: Mar/Apr 2003 |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Switching to Gender-Neutral Language in a Positive Way |
Diane Silver In this handout, Diane outlines a number of ideas for both organizers and callers to consider when switching to gender-neutral language. |
Organizer Discussion at the 2020 Flurry Festival |
Flurry Festival: 2020 Emily Addison These notes cover a wide range of rich conversations on increasing attendance, community culture, fundraising, and more. |
Organizer Discussion at the 2019 Dance Flurry |
Dance Flurry: 2019 This was the fourth annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. The group talked about upping attendance, community culture, finances, organizers/volunteers, and talent. |
Boosting AttenDANCE |
CDSS: 2018 A Web Chat discussion featuring success stories from two dance communities on how they increased attendance at their respective contra dance series. |
Dance Flurry: 2018 Approximately 40 traditional social dance organizers from Canada and the US discussed ideas on how to increase attendance at their events. Many best practices were shared. |
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Dance Flurry: 2017 This was the second annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. Organizers shared ideas on how to increase attendance, build leadership, what to charge participants, and community culture. |
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Beyond Publicity: Getting new dancers to come and come back
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Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 In addition to presenting practical ideas for publicity, we’ll examine your sell—what experience you’re trying to sell and whether it matches the product you currently have, or what can you do to get it there. Take home effective publicity strategies for your community, specifically to reach potential new dancers and convert them to regulars. |
Beyond New Dancers: Upping your attendance by preaching
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Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 We'll identify three key elements that add up to a whole dance experience and examine factors that enhance or detract from that experience, as well as explore strategies to engage your community to create deeper buy-in for your dances. |
This section directly supports all efforts in the Increasing Attendance section. Resources include...
- CDSS’s collection of posters, flyers, and business cards from 57 different dance, music, and song communities
- Ways to successfully photograph contra dancing
- How one group went about getting their dance featured in the New York Times!
Other relevant material can likely be found in the following sections: Community Culture; Community Safety; Vision & Mission; and Youth.
CDSS Publications
Title | More Information |
Delicately Chosen Pixels |
CDSS News: Winter 2020 David FrantzThis article outlines some of David's approaches for taking quality photographs at dances. |
How to Photograph a Contra Dance |
CDSS News: Fall 2014 Doug PlummerAs the title suggests! |
Skill-Building for Dance Promotion: How to Create Good Instructional Dance Videos | CDSS News: Summer 2018 Don Bell As the title suggests! |
A CDSS Collection of Inspiring Print Promotional Material | CDSS: 2019 This resource contains posters, flyers, business cards and more from 57 different dance, music and song communities. It is meant as inspiration for organizers developing their own print material. |
Marketing your English Dance: Don’t Blame Jane! | CDSS News: Winter 2018-2019 Lisa Brown This article outlines how ECD communities can partner with Jane Austen clubs (and fans) to bring in new dancers. |
Marketing Tips—Old School News Releases Still Work! | CDSS News: Spring 2018 Lisa C. Brown & David N. Boyer This article describes recent success with using new releases and provides some best practices. |
Dancing Into the New York Times |
CDSS Blog: February 2011 Max Newman This blog post describes how CD*NY went about being featured in the New York Times. |
Press Releases |
CDSS Website A brief how-to on creating press releases. |
15 Things You Can Do to Celebrate the CDSS Centennial |
2015: CDSS Sample ideas to create buzz around a special event. |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Marketing 101: Finding and keeping the crowd you want |
SW Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Marketing has been defined as a process of determining the needs and wants of consumers and being able to deliver the products that satisfy those needs and wants. But how can that help you increase the attendance of your dance? This session will inform you how marketing can help you find and keep the crowd you want. It will show that marketing has a much wider scope than just advertising and that organizers seeking to attract more people to their dances need to ‘market’ rather than ‘advertise’ their dance. Other areas which will be covered include: the role and importance of the organizational vision in marketing; the benefits of thinking about your dance series as a ‘product'; the importance of understanding your audience and their perceptions of the product (dance series) you are offering; and the all-important ‘marketing mix’ (a set of tools used to help pursue the marketing objectives). |
Marketing 102: Putting your knowledge to work |
SW Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Once you’ve established your vision and targeted your audience, how do you use that to your advantage? We’ll venture beyond the proverbial flyer table, discovering practical tactics for marketing your series, from the well-crafted press release to preaching to the converted. We’ll also cover online marketing tools – debatably the most powerful form of marketing we have at our fingertips. What can you do with your physical set-up, your committee, the regular dancers, and your program to get those new folks to become regulars? Do you get new dancers by holding special events? Come talk about marketing and find out how it can be a key piece for developing and supporting your dance community! |
To Market, To Market… Jiggity Jig
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Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 A dance organizer’s heart swells to see a sea of smiling dancers, just as an entrepreneur is gladdened when her business attracts happy customers. But how do we pull in those dancers and customers? Together, we’ll venture beyond the proverbial flyer table, discovering practical tactics for marketing our series, from the well-crafted press release to preaching to the converted. (Note: Online marketing is covered in Session 10.)
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To Facebook and Beyond: Online marketing for dance series
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Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Alex and Emily are keen to talk online marketing tools – debatably the most powerful form of marketing we have at our fingertips. They’ll share best practices on a wide variety of tools including everything from websites and social media to cross promoting with other organizations and using other event listing sites. There will be lots of room for sharing of ideas within the room and there will be handouts. Come talk online marketing and find out how it can be a key piece to developing and supporting your dance community! |
Other Resources
Title | More Information |
Pinterest pins: Various witty pics and quotes | CDSS Pinterest account: Ongoing This is a curated collection of witty pictures and quotes relating to traditional dance, music, and or song, and also to dance and music more generally. |
Pinterest pins: Hall decor and signage | CDSS Pinterest account: Ongoing This is a curated collection of photographs and ideas for hall decor and signage. |
Pinterest pins: Various posters and flyers | CDSS Pinterest account: Ongoing This is a curated collection of posters and flyers for traditional dance, music, and or song events. |
Pinterest pins: Mixed collection of publicity examples | CDSS Pinterest account: Ongoing This is a curated collection showing examples of publicity tools for traditional dance music and song beyond posters, flyers, hall decor & signage, witty pictures, and quotes. |
Square Dance Marketing Manual |
Callerlab: 2018 |
Press Releases |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
We use the term ‘youth’ to mean anyone under 30 (i.e., pre-schoolers, elementary, secondary, college/university, and post-college up to age 30). This was a conscious decision because some resources cover more than one age group, and youth can mean many different things to different organizers.
Within this section, you will find information on:
- How to get and keep new youth participants as dancers, musicians, callers, and organizers
- Family, elementary, secondary, and college/university events
- Plus so much more!
Looking for where to start?
- CDSS’s recent Web Chat on family and community dances. There are PPT slides, an audio recording with slides, and Q&A responses
- CDSS’s recent Web Chat on increasing youth involvement. There are PPT slides and a recording with slides.
- Chrissy Fowler’s session notes and strategies chart for how to engage families in dances series (that aren’t necessary “family” dances)
...there are so many great resources in this section - dive in! Also, you may want to look in the other sections of the portal (e.g., educators) for more resources on working with school-aged participants (kindergarten to college/university).
Note: All youth-focused resources are listed in this section. However, other sections of the organizers portal may also have useful resources in working with youth (e.g., information on how to increase attendance generally may also apply to attracting youth).
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
College Organizers Handbook |
CDSS: c.2010 This handbook provides advice on how to create dance/music events on university and college campuses. It includes tips on programming, campus publicity, working with college administration, and much more. |
All Join Hands: Dispatches from the World of Community Dance - Organizing a Family/Community Dance Series, Part 1 | CDSS News: Summer 2019 Marian Rose As the title suggests! |
Grants Far and Wide: Ashland Community Dance and Song Weekend |
CDSS News: Spring 2019 Brooke Friendly |
Good Ideas from Louisville |
CDSS News: Spring 2015 Jenny Beer This article outlines some of the organizing successes in Louisville including engaging youth in leadership positions, introductory beginner sessions, supporting the spread of dancing, and considerations around who to have play music at the dances. |
From One Generation to the Next |
CDSS News: Summer 2012 Jessica Emery & Chloe Maher This article looks at how a group of teenagers came to be the musicians for a local dance in Philadelphia. |
Dance Series + Lower Fees + Youth = Dance Series |
CDSS News: Winter 2012 Jens Dill This article describes how a series that was struggling ten years ago mae conscious decisions around lower their fees and how that attracted youth participants. |
From the Youth Desk |
CDSS News: Winter 2010 Max Newman Max describes his work as CDSS’s youth intern. |
A Stellar Scholarship Adventure Changes the Lives of Youth |
CDSS News: Summer 2009 Eleanor Fahrney This article describes how a dance weekend made some significant changes in order to attract more youth participants. |
The Youth Dance Weekend |
CDSS News: Jan/Feb 2009 Ethan Hazzard-Watkins, Sarah Pilzer, Brian Gallagher, Julia Nickles, Rebecca Lay, & Maggie Zander This article describes the first ever Youth Dance Weekend, what has since become an annual event. |
Two Dancing Queens Take Princeton By Storm |
CDSS News: Nov/Dec 2008 Katherine Sanden This article describes how two friends (one of them a student) organized a dance on the college campus. |
Contra Dancing, the Next Generation— NEFFA Workshops |
CDSS News: Mar/Apr 2008 Brian Gallagher & Julia Nickles This article describes a conversation that happened at NEFFA on engaging young people in contra dancing. |
The Next Generation—Encouraging Youth in Dance and Music |
CDSS News: Nov/Dec 2007 Chris Levey As the title suggests! |
Dancing on College Campuses |
CDSS News: Sept/Oct 2002 Jenny Beer & Joanna Reiner This article describes how to start a dance group on a college campus - lots of tips are provided! |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Family/Community Dance Organizers Unite |
CDSS Web Chat: 2019 Sarah Lee, Rick & Chloe Mohr, Dean Herington, Chrissy Fowler, Bruce Snider, Linda Henry & Katy German This one-hour Web Chat featured organizers from four different dance communities throughout North America. The organizers shared practices and learning from their own communities. This was followed by a rich question & answer period. |
Increasing Youth Involvement |
CDSS Web Chat: 2019 Louise Siddons, Bradley Smith, Lisa Faryadi, ClaraJones, Max Newman, and Linda Henry This one-hour web chat featured organizers from four different dance communities throughout North America. The organizers shared practices and learning from their own communities. This was followed by a rich question & answer period. |
Growing Younger: Engaging youth for a sustainable future |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Too often when we hear the question, ‘How can we bring in more young people?’ we hear the answer, ‘Use social media.’ This session will challenge you to think beyond the boxes of Twitter and Facebook, into sustainable methods of youth engagement and empowerment within traditional dance communities. Join Abigail and Danielle, two 20-somethings with deep ties to traditional dance, in re-imagining the assumptions and strategies that will impact youth attendance and involvement at your dance series. |
Attracting Younger Dancers: Creating and maintaining a multigenerational dance |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 How can we find youth, incorporate them, and keep them? Getting younger people to attend dances (and keep coming back) seems to be the holy grail. This session will cover two major areas: promoting youth participation (dancers, callers, musicians, board members etc), and, how to have a successful multi-generation dance. We will hear practical ideas and tips from people who have successfully achieved this, and we will discuss things that have been tried but did not work. |
Promoting Youth Participation: Ideas and practical tips |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Former CDSS Youth Intern Max Newman will share some ways to increase youth participation as dancers, callers, musicians, and organizers. Topics covered will include: “youth” vs. “new” participation; children, the forgotten youth; and who to have as your group’s Facebook czar. |
Engaging Families in your (not necessarily “Family”) Dance: Exploring the best strategy for a successful dance series |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Do you want: ● Inclusive and sensitive dancers? ● A sustainable series? ● Effective marketing? ● A dancer demographic that’s intergenerational? ● Long-term investment in your beloved dance tradition? This session covers all of these, and more! In fact, engaging families could be the single best strategy for a successful dance series (for all dances, not just the family ones). Participants will leave with a full toolbox, ready to act on their understanding of the “relative benefits” of engaging families in their dance. NOTE: This session is for everyone, from the convinced to the curious to the curmudgeon! (Come one, come all – even nay-sayers – and find out what it’s all about!)
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Intergenerationality: A Big Word — A Big Value |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 We’ll examine a common, but sometimes unspoken, value. Is a community with lots of young folks “intergenerational”? What does it take to foster intergenerationality at our dances? What does non-intergenerationality look like? And, finally, is there a shorter word we can use? |
Barn Raising: Sustaining Square, Family, and Barn Dances |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Whatever the billing (family dance, community dance, barn dance), this sort of series helps traditional dance make deep inroads into the general population. Why do we love organizing these dances? How do we best meet the needs of dancers aged 2 to 92? What are the unique joys and challenges of a series that’s so community-based and absolutely accessible to neophytes? What successful strategies can you share? Let’s talk! (Same description as POTD1 related presentation) |
Successful Family/Community/ Barn Dances |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Whatever the billing (family dance, community dance, barn dance), this sort of series helps traditional dance make deep inroads into the general population. Why do we love organizing these dances? How do we best meet the needs of dancers aged 2 to 92? What are the unique joys and challenges of a series that’s so community-based and absolutely accessible to neophytes? What successful strategies can you share? Let’s talk!
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Various topics relating to community culture | Youth Dance Weekend: 2008 Discussions focused on topics relating to community culture including gender roles, gender imbalance, encouraging appropriate behaviour, encouraging intergenerational dancing, and helping others dance under control. |
Various topics relating to getting and keeping new dancers | Youth Dance Weekend: 2008 Discussions focused on topics such as how to invigorate a dying dance, attract young dancers, explain contra, get dancers from other styles, include new dancers, dealing with newer dancers coming in after the workshop, and how to get the word out. |
How to build dancer skills | Youth Dance Weekend: 2008 Discussions on how to build dancer skills, including helping a community of beginning dancers advance to a higher level of dancing and how to work with perpetual beginners. |
How to solicit help in organizing dances | Youth Dance Weekend: 2008 Group discussion. |
Discussions focused on young callers and musicians | Youth Dance Weekend: 2008 Discussions on how young/new performers can get gigs and whether it’s more important to encourage younger dancers/leaders/musicians than getting new dancers from any generation? |
How to start a dance | Youth Dance Weekend: 2008 Group discussion. |
How to get contra dancers involved in other forms of dancing | Youth Dance Weekend: 2008 Group discussion. |
How regional/national organizations can help foster youth involvement | Youth Dance Weekend: 2008 Group discussion. |
Other Resources
Title | More information |
Dancing in (Children/Young Adult) Literature: A Partial Bibliography |
Chrissy Fowler: 2018 |
10 Tips for Contra Dancing With Kids | Miriam Axel-Lute Blog post: 2017.02.12 This is a personal blog post from a dancer, reflecting on how dancers can be more supportive of children and youth within the contra dance context. |
Take a Youthful Step to the Future |
United Square Dancers of America This is a 24-page booklet that provides ideas on how to establish and maintain a youth square dance group within the context of the modern-western square dance tradition. |
BIDA Family Dance Timing |
2018 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explains how the timing of the BIDA family dance works in relation to the potluck and sound check. |
Age Segregation at Contras |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the complexities of dance communities segregating by age. The post is followed by a community discussion. |
This section contains a wide range of resources for working with callers and musicians. For instance:
- How to support the development of callers and musicians
- How to manage relationships with hired talent (e.g., how to book; provide feedback)
Looking for where to start?
- Some basic tips on how hiring callers and bands.
- CDSS’s recent Web Chat on how to create a thriving open band. There are slides as PDF in addition to a video with slides and audio.
- Luke Donforth & Cedar Stanistreet’s 2015 session notes on how organizers can help budding callers/musicians grow and succeed.
- Lisa Greenleaf’s 2011 session notes and presentation outline on how to book and work with talent.
Other relevant material can likely found in the following sections: Youth, Sound, and Finances.
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
Hiring Callers and Musicians |
CDSS: c.2000s This resource outlines some basic considerations and tips for organizers who are hiring callers and bands. |
Improving the ECD Open Band Experience |
CDSS News: Spring 2019 Robert Reichert Robert provides some suggestions on how to improve the experience of playing with, and the quality of music from an ECD open band. |
Training New Contra Callers in Portland, ME
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CDSS News: Summer 2017 Dugan Murphy Dugan describes Portland, Maine's experience in training new callers. |
Hive Mind - Collaborations |
CDSS News: Fall 2016 |
Continuing Education for Callers |
CDSS News: Fall 2016 Michael Kernan This article describes an annual caller gathering for callers of all levels where callers support each other in their learning. |
Back Row Bands |
CDSS News: Spring 2016 Sue Songer This article describes the power of guest musicians being able to play along with dance bands - in what is known as 'the back row'. It also describes how to successfully create this experience in your dance community. |
Talent Buying and Touring Acts |
CDSS News: Fall 2014 Jeff Martell In this article, Jeff proposes some options for organizers who want to hire touring bands and callers. |
Madison's Tuesday Night Dances – Fostering talent for More Than Twenty Years |
CDSS News: Spring 2014 Carol Ormond This article describes Madison's approach to developing talent through weekly dances that feature newer callers as well as an open band. |
On Open Stages |
CDSS News: Winter 2013-14 Luke Donforth In this article, Luke shares some thoughts on how organizers should program open caller and open band nights for contra dances. |
Do Try This at Home! |
CDSS News: Winter 2013-14 Linda Henry In this article, Linda describes a one-day caller course which is a model that could be used in other communities. |
Contra Dance Callers Survey |
CDSS Contra Dance Task Group: 2913 This was an extensive survey of approximately 400 contra dance callers throughout North America and beyond. Some of the information is definitely helpful for organizers. |
Spreading Our Wings to Fly |
CDSS News: Fall 2013 Mary Wesley Mary describes how the Mad Robin Callers Collective formed, how they support each other as callers, and how they call as a committee. |
Talking About...Money |
CDSS News: Spring 2013 Brendan Taaffe Brendan's article opens up a discussion about money in the contra community, especially in relation to pay for musicians. |
The Hatchlings—Developing Callers in St. Louis |
CDSS News: Summer 2009 Martha Edwards Martha describes a model for developing callers that she feels will work in many different community contexts. |
Gigs from Heaven |
CDSS News: Sept/Oct 2008 Carol Ormond This article is written for organizers by a caller. It describes what makes a great gig experience at weekend and camp events. |
Hiring Dance Camp Staff—Guidelines For Organizers |
CDSS News: Sept/Oct 2008 Lisa Greenleaf As the title suggests! |
A Feedback Tool—Try This at Home Too! |
CDSS News: Jan/Feb 2007 Linda Henry Linda presents an approach to collecting and using feedback that callers might find helpful in improving their own calling. |
Yes, You Too Can Produce a Compilation CD ~ Swinging on the Gate |
CDSS News: Mar/Apr 2002 Rebecca King This article describes how the Bay Area Country Dance Society created a compilation CD featuring local dance bands in their region. |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Organizer Discussion at the 2019 Dance Flurry |
Dance Flurry: 2019 This was the fourth annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. The group talked about upping attendance, community culture, finances, organizers/volunteers, and talent. |
CDSS Web Chat on Creating a Thriving Open Band |
CDSS: 2018 |
Growing Local Talent: Helping our budding callers and musicians grow and succeed |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 This workshop is for anyone involved in helping local performers grow and succeed, from communities that are proud of their efforts to those who haven’t started and aren’t sure how. We’ll share ideas and best known practices; workshop scenarios to give you skills to provide constructive feedback; and help you have more impressive talent in your own backyard. |
Behind the Scenes: Building constructive relations between performers and organizers |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Dance organizers, bands, and callers work together in short-term collaborations to present dances and events, meeting the needs of everyone involved – organizers, dancers, performers, and event series. We will discuss the challenges we all face, and explore specific solutions to common problems. |
Cultivating New Talent: Ways to find and grow callers and musicians |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Our musicians and callers won’t be around forever! To ensure that the traditions we love have a long and healthy life, it’s important to provide supportive environments for growing new musicians and callers. In this session we’ll explore a variety of ways dance communities can find, encourage, and train new talent. |
Crossing the Border: Connecting groups within each state and throughout the region |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Unlike most other regions, our communities are some distance apart which can make it difficult to coordinate with each other about getting talent to multiple places. But the Southwest is a wonderful destination for talent who look to have a national reputation. How can we better coordinate with other dance communities in our state and throughout the region to bring top-notch talent out west? You provide the questions and we’ll try to come up with the answers together. |
Using Your Talent: How to book, work with, and help improve your callers, musicians, and sound techs |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 This session will explore how to help get the best performances out of your callers, musicians and sound techs. Talent at dances are most often providing their services at well below the standard rate for what they provide. We will discuss how to keep your talent happy to continue making your dance event the best it can be. It all stems from proper communication skills. Topics to be covered will be determined by the attendees and may include effective booking, artistic control, balancing the desires of the talent with the desires of the dancers (they are not always the same!), nurturing local talent, constructive criticism, and open mic/band dances. |
Booking and Working with the Talent |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 We will go over many of the issues related to hiring bands and callers, from the business side to artistic expectations, and how organizers can communicate with performers before, during and after the event. Included will be a chance to hear the performer’s side of the experience. |
Carrying On the Traditions: Cultivating new callers and musicians |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Investing in new leaders is a valuable way to ensure that the traditions we love continue to thrive. In what ways can our dance communities provide supportive environments for growing new musicians and callers? Some organizers in our region are actively building this aspect into their dances. In this session we’ll explore different models for encouraging new talent. Sharing their experiences will be Mary Wesley, co-founder of the Mad Robin Callers Collective, a group for up-and-coming callers in Burlington, VT and Linda Henry, who is creating a welcoming sit-in scene for musicians at the Amherst, MA Community Dance. Joining them will be several conferees with their own stories to tell about supporting musicians and callers in their home communities. |
Other Resources
Title | More information |
Caller Information Handout |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 |
Performer Info Sheet |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
Musician Gender in Contra |
2018 Jeff Kaufman Jeff has written a few blog posts on gender as it relates to contra dance bands and booking. |
Contra Caller Gender |
In these two blog posts, Jeff reflects on the booking practices of dance weekends as it relates to the gender of the callers. |
Dance Organization Fees Summary |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff presents a summary of admission revenue and various costs for a wide range of dances. |
Hiring a Dance Musician? |
Sarah Gowan A neat flyer by Sarah that highlights what goes into playing for a dance in relation to what musicians get paid/dancers pay. |
Why Does the BIDA Open Band Work Well? |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explains why the BIDA open band works well. The post is followed by comments from other dancers/musicians/callers. |
2020 Jeff Kaufman In this post, Jeff explores some of his thinking behind musician booking for the BIDA dance series. Community discussion follows. |
This section contains a wide range of resources for how to work with sound technicians and how to do sound yourself. For instance:
- Understanding the challenges of sound engineering for dance events
- Microphone and speaker placement
Looking for where to start?
- The Shared Weight tradsound listerv. The members of this email group discuss doing sound for traditional dance events.
- Bob Mills’ All Mixed Up: A guide for sound production at folk and dance music events.
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
Doing Sound |
CDSS: c. 2000s This resource outlines some basic considerations for doing sound at a dance event. |
Sound Engineers |
CDSS News: Summer 2014 Jeff Martell In this article, Jeff makes the case for ensuring high quality sound and how to go about finding a sound tech. |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Sound Design for Social Dance: Understanding the challenges of engineering sound for live music |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Greg Brown This workshop will help participants understand the challenges of engineering sound for a social dance with live music. With sound systems of three levels of complexity – from basic to state-of-the-art – the participants will have an opportunity to see how a professional uses various tools to create a fun atmosphere for dancers and musicians alike. |
Using Your Talent: How to book, work with, and help improve your callers, musicians, and sound techs |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Jeff Spero & Eric Black This session will explore how to help get the best performance out of your callers, musicians and sound techs. Talent at dances are most often providing their services at well below the standard rate for what they provide. We will discuss how to keep your talent happy to continue making your dance event the best it can be. It all stems from proper communication skills. Topics to be covered will be determined by the attendees and may include effective booking, artistic control, balancing the desires of the talent with the desires of the dancers (they are not always the same!), nurturing local talent, constructive criticism, and open mic/band dances. |
Other Resources
Title | More information |
Shared Weight: TradSound | TradSound is a listserv (email group) that exists to share information, experiences, techniques about people using intelligence, acoustics and audio equipment to optimally reinforce voices and instruments at community trad music events including dances, concerts and festivals. Most of our group members are audio techs, though we also welcome interested musicians, singers, callers, organizers, dancers and listeners. TradSound is a great way to talk to those passionate about sound at trad events. Join the discussion! Special Note: As a member of the group, you can also search the extensive list archives. |
All Mixed Up: A Guide to Sound Production for Folk and Dance Music |
2008 Bob Mills All Mixed Up is a comprehensive guide to doing sound for both traditional dance and folk music events. Bob’s guide covers a wide range of topics that are useful to both beginner and experienced sound technicians. The printed version of All Mixed Up is available for sale through CDSS’s online store. |
Looking at Mixers |
2020 Jeff Kaufman In this post, Jeff explores some options for mixers to be used at dances. Community discussion follows. |
Battery Powered Contra II |
2019 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores options for running sound for a contra dance on batteries.The post is followed by an active discussion from the wider dance community. |
How Should BIDA Finance a Sound System? |
2013 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores various options for BIDA to finance a sound system. The post is followed by an extensive community conversation |
The Two Kinds of Feedback |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores two different types of feedback in a live sound environment. |
Contra Dance Sound: System |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff describes the sound system he pulled together for small to medium sized dances. |
Contra Dance Sound: Microphones |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff outlines some basic information about what microphones to use at a dance. |
Sound For Really Long Halls |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the issues of doing sound in really long halls. |
Sound Reflection |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the challenges of sound bouncing off walls and other objects. |
Simple Contra Speaker Placement |
2016 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff describes how to best set up speakers for a dance. |
Fiddle Clip-on Microphone Placement |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores where best to place a clip-on microphone on a fiddle. |
Contra Dance Sound: Mic Placement |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores where best to place microphones for different instruments. |
Contra Dance Sound: Mixer |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff outlines the basic layout of a mixer. |
Reference Contra Dance Sound System |
2014 Jeff Kaufman Jeff shares his thoughts on options for a sound system that works well for contra dances. |
Contra Dance Sound Policy |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the idea of having a sound policy for a dance series and what might be included. |
As organizers, we have so much to do and a lot of our success depends on how we do that work.
Within this section, you will find information on:
- How to structure and build a strong organizing team
- How to deal with interpersonal issues among organizers
- How to find volunteers and provide training, motivation, and appreciation
- Plus so much more!
Looking for where to start?
- Leda Shapiro & Eric Black’s session notes and audio recording on crucial aspects of building a strong infrastructure for your dance.
- Erik Erhart’s session notes and audio recording on effective organization through meaningful interpersonal connection.
- Delia Clark’s session notes on building and sustaining a healthy volunteer base. There are six sets of notes… 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6!
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
How to Structure Your Organization |
CDSS: c.2000s This two page document provides some basic considerations on how to structure your organization |
Hive Mind – Benefits of Turnover |
CDSS News: Winter 2016-17 Gaye Fifer, Luke Donforth This article features stories from two organizations on the benefits of leadership turnover within their dance community. |
Cooperation and Consensus—Scissortail Traditional Dance Society of Oklahoma |
CDSS News: Spring 2016 This article discusses some of the reasons for the newed energy and success of Scissortail - a state-wide organization with many different dances series and events. |
CDSS News: Summer 2015 Susan Peterson In this article, Susan highlights key learnings from CDSS’s 2014 week-long dance organizers course. |
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Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood? a.k.a. Assets Mapping! |
CDSS Blog: May 2013 Rima Dael Rima puts forward the idea of asset mapping - figuring out the people and organizations that can support your work. |
Vibrant Dance Communities—Themes and Practical Ideas (Part 1) |
CDSS News: Fall 2010 Max Newman This article provides ideas on how to foster volunteers and leaders. |
Some Ideas on Governance |
CDSS News: May/June 2001 Tom Siess, follow up by Bruce Hamilton This article explores the role of a Board as well as ideas regarding good governance. |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Organizer Discussion at the 2019 Dance Flurry |
Dance Flurry: 2019 This was the fourth annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. The group talked about upping attendance, community culture, finances, organizers/volunteers, and talent. |
Organizer Discussion at the 2017 Dance Flurry |
Dance Flurry: 2017 This was the second annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. Organizers shared ideas on how to increase attendance, build leadership, what to charge participants, and community culture. |
Navigating Transitions: Strategies for evolving from a “one-person show” to an organizing team |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Do you run a dance series mostly by yourself? Need help sharing the load? Come hear one organizer’s story of transitioning from a “one-person show” to a dance that is now effectively being run by a team. We’ll explore strategies to help you create your own “village” of support. Bring your stories and join the journey! |
Creating a Happy, Healthy Volunteer Base: Ways to engage and retain volunteers to sustain our dances |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Volunteers are crucial to the healthy sustainability of our dances, as much to build community as to get the job done. In this workshop we’ll talk about the importance of volunteers, different kinds of volunteers, recruitment, engagement and retention. We’ll also work to address some specific volunteer challenges, useful whether you’re a committee of one or part of a large organizing team. |
Non-Profit Management: Updating and strengthening our administrative foundation |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Non-profit governance and administrative systems require routine updating as organizations evolve. This workshop is designed to help organizers of any committee—old or new—strengthen their administrative platform. Topics that we plan to cover include: the pluses and minuses of incorporating and registering as a non-profit; the steps that a group must take to incorporate and/or register as a non-profit; and the roles that bylaws and articles of incorporation play to define the organization’s purpose and how the organization is governed. This workshop will be particularly helpful to groups that are not formalized as incorporated non-profits who are thinking about taking these steps, or for members of formalized committees who want to better understand governance systems. We’ll share some decisions that were addressed at our dances to generate discussion, clarify how CDSS is prepared to assist, and open up the floor to any governance/administrative issues that you might be tackling in your own dance community. |
Happy Dance Boards and Committees: Growing a thriving, productive, and fun dance committee |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 |
Organizing for Success: Crucial aspects of building a strong infrastructure for your dance |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 This session is designed to help organizers of any committee — old or new — get ourselves organized. Topics will include how to create a successful organizational structure, establish a mission statement, what to spend money on, how to make serving on a committee a fun and rewarding experience. We will also discuss how to successfully transition when the old guard retires and new volunteers step up to steward the dance. An information sheet will provided for giving performers an idea of what is expected of them at each dance. |
Tech Tools: Technology can help organizations be more effective |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Leverage tech tools to spend more time dancing and less time creating and reviewing budgets, scheduling meetings, managing organizational data and documents, managing mailing lists, and registering for events |
Can We Talk? Effective organization through meaningful interpersonal connection |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Power struggles, hurt feelings, wasted time. Sound familiar? Well-intentioned boards or committees can be brought to a standstill -- or worse, friendships destroyed -- because of the challenge of working with others. We can choose better outcomes. Introduce yourself to a technique for communicating with a focus on empathy and connection that will make your meetings more effective (and all relationships more enjoyable). |
Happy Volunteers: Finding them, keeping them, sustaining them and using them effectively |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Our dance organizations are created by volunteers. We need a powerful base of diverse volunteers with energy to get up and do what needs to be done! More volunteers means the work is more spread out, and creates a LOT less burnout. How do we identify the right people and manipulate (ummm… convince) them to give their talents and precious time to the dance community? This session will explore answers that will enable us to create a larger and stronger volunteer base, both in leadership and operations. |
Building and Sustaining a Healthy Volunteer Base |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Our dances run on volunteer power! We need a powerful base of diverse volunteers with energy to get up and do what needs to be done! We’ll tap each others’ best ideas and most promising practices in such areas as identifying, training and retaining volunteers of all ages and skill sets; incentives; communication; working collaboratively; community-building; and sustaining morale. This session was a veritable carousel ride, as we collectively answered various questions related to volunteers. Notes are linked to each specific question.
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Leading Effective Meetings |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
Formalizing Structures: Non-profit Status and Insurance |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Governance and administrative systems require routine updating as organizations evolve. In this session, three dance organizers will share how their dance committee manages governance structures and the systems that form the administrative and decision making foundations for a dance. Some topics that we plan to cover include: the pluses and minuses of registering as a non-profit; how to get liability insurance; setting up your bank account; what are the bylaws or articles of incorporation; who is responsible for the dance? We’ll share some issues that we are currently addressing at our dances to generate discussion, and open up the floor to any issues that you might be tackling in your own dance community. |
Organizing Your Committee |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 This session is designed to help organizers of any committee — old or new — to get themselves organized. We will share how one contra dance committee got itself organized when the old guard retired and new volunteers stepped up to to steward the dance. We’ll cover how we defined volunteer roles and what we expect of our volunteers; our annual goal setting to strengthen the dance; how we established a new mission statement; and we’ll describe how we created an information sheet for performers that gives them an idea of what we expect to happen at each dance. Even in our eighth year of working together, we still find things to talk about at the five or six committee meetings that we hold each year.
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Other Resources
Title | More information |
[Excerpts from] All Hands on Board: The Board of Directors in an All-Volunteer Organization |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 |
Impact/Feasibility Assessment Tool |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 This handout describes a simple and powerful tool that can help organizers make decisions on how to proceed regarding projects or other issues. |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
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Organizers Job Descriptions |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 This handout outlines the various tasks of volunteers for the Rehoboth Country Dance Society. |
BIDA Board Over Time |
2016 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff shows the shift in BIDA Board composition over time. |
BIDA Dance Reports |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explains how someone from the BIDA Board makes a little write up of each dance to keep fellow Board members informed. |
Hall Managing at BIDA |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff breaks down the roles and tasks involved in managing the hall for a BIDA dance. |
Dances, Structure, and Branding |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores how different dancers are structured in terms of organization and what this means for the community. |
Why Perpetual e-Motion Likes To Do Their Own Sound |
2013 Ed Howe & John Cote In this youtube video, Ed explains why Perpetual e-Motion likes to do their own sound. (5:57) |
Communicating About Contra Dance Sound |
2018 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff provides some tips on how to communicate with sound technicians. |
This section focuses on topics relating to revenue, expenses, and many aspects of financial management.
You will find information on:
- Resources relating to many different revenue sources (e.g.,outside funding sources such as grants and sponsorships)
- Discussions on affordability
- Plus so much more!
Looking for where to start?
- Chris Deephouse’s session notes on understanding the sources and uses of funds for dances.
- Leda Shapiro’s session notes and audio recording on different sources of revenue for dances.
Other relevant material can likely found in the following sections: Talent.
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
Event Finances |
CDSS: c.2000s This resource outlines some basic considerations regarding expenses and income for dance and music events. |
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the CDSS Grants Program |
CDSS News: Spring 2019 Linda Henry & Katy German This article highlights the success of CDSS’s grants program. (You may want to consider applying to the program for funding!) |
News from Canada: Weaving Old-Time Music and Dance into the Fabric of Small Town Life |
CDSS News: Summer 2018 Leslie Gotfrit This article features a really successful model for traditional dance in rural communities. It is included in this section as there is helpful information on the financial model that the organizers use. |
Community Outreach Far and Wide - News from CDSS Grant Recipients in Karlsruhe, Germany, and Hindman, Kentucky |
CDSS News: Spring 2018 Rebecca Sass & Brett Ratcliff Stories from two communities who used CDSS Grants for special projects - included here as inspiration! |
Outreach Far and Wide - News from CDSS Grant Recipients in Calgary, Alberta and Missoula, Montana |
CDSS News: Winter 2017-2018 Leslie Gotfit & Chelle Karcher Stories from two communities who used CDSS Grants for special projects - included here as inspiration! |
Nontraditional Funding and Focused Mentorship: How We’re Growing a New (Awesome) Contra Dance Community in Portland, ME |
CDSS News: Fall 2016 Dela Taylor This article provides some great insight into how one dance community effectively ran a fundraising campaign for their series. |
Local Dance Finds Fundraising Solution |
CDSS News: Spring 2015 Flora Chamlin This article describes how one community successfully ran a fundraising auction. |
Outreach Reaching Out |
CDSS News: Fall 2013 Linda Henry This article describes some of the projects that have received CDSS grant funding. The article has been included here as inspiration! |
Talking About...Money |
CDSS News: Spring 2013 |
Fundraising for your group or project |
CDSS Blog: March 2013 Rima Dael In this blog post, Rima provides a number of useful links to fundraising resources. |
Recent CDSS Outreach Fund Grants |
CDSS News: Spring 2012 Linda Henry This article describes some of the projects that have received CDSS grant funding. The article has been included here as inspiration! |
Outreach—Twenty-five Years of Gadd/Merrill Recipients |
CDSS News: May/June 2005 Linda Henry This article describes some of the projects that have received CDSS grant funding. The article has been included here as inspiration! |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Diversifying Income: Thinking Outside the Money Basket |
CDSS Web Chat: 2020 Rob Setili, Susan Amesse, and Jennie Worden
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Organizer Discussion at the 2020 Flurry Festival |
Flurry Festival: 2020 Emily Addison These notes cover a wide range of rich conversations on increasing attendance, community culture, fundraising, and more. |
Organizer Discussion at the 2019 Dance Flurry |
Dance Flurry: 2019 This was the fourth annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. The group talked about upping attendance, community culture, finances, organizers/volunteers, and talent. |
Dance Flurry: 2017 This was the second annual organizer discussion at the Flurry. Organizers shared ideas on how to increase attendance, build leadership, what to charge participants, and community culture. |
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Dance Finances 0 to 999: Deepening our understanding of sources and uses of fund |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 This is a hands-on workshop for dance organizers to deepen their understanding of sources and uses of funds. Organizers make many decisions including whether to offer student discounts, how payments are calculated for callers and musicians, how to budget special events, and more. We will learn from each other and discuss choices that work in various situations. |
Fundraising Strategies and Tips for Dance Organizations: Broadening our views for supporting dances |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Looking to raise funds for your dance? This workshop will take a broad view on fundraising to support your dance series, support the hall where you dance, run special events or programming, purchase equipment, or support other causes and affiliated organizations. We will provide an overview of philanthropy and fundraising strategies at the macro level, and then share how one local organization raised more than $60,000. Come prepared to share your successful fundraising strategies that are transferrable to other communities. Just as important, we’d love to hear some things that have not worked well, and why.
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Managing Your Money: Your series is bringing in money. Now what do you do with it? |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 This session will provide support for navigating the ins and outs of money management for your dance series. Topics covered will include: setting a budget for your series; controlling cash at the event; tracking event income and expenses; producing event, periodic and annual financial reports; preparing required governmental reports (1099s for callers / bands, Form 990 for the organization overall). Provided will be sample income / expense categories, event and annual spreadsheets, and reports for you to mull over. |
Money: How to get more! |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 The revenue from dance admissions at the door is good and may even sustain our dances. But there may be large expenses looming – perhaps a new sound system, increased rent, insurance costs, etc. Where will the money come from to keep our organizations going? This session will direct you to new streams of revenue that you may have never considered, helping to sustain your dance for years to come. |
Dance Money Mechanics |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Your series is bringing in money – what do you do with it? Rob Lindauer, treasurer of the Hartford, CT Community Dance, will gently lead you through some ins and outs of money management for your dance series. Topics covered will include: setting a budget for your series; controlling cash at the event; tracking event income and expenses; producing event, periodic and annual financial reports; preparing required governmental reports (1099s for callers / bands, Form 990 for the organization overall). Rob will provide sample income / expense categories, event and annual spreadsheets, and reports for you to mull over.
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Other Resources
Title | More information |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Rima Dael and author Kim Klein As the title suggests! |
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8 Ways to Raise $2,500 (or more) in 10 days (or less, sometimes) |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Rima Dael and authors Kim Klein & Stephanie Roth As the title suggests! |
Dance Accounting Sheet |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
Cash Turnover Sheet |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
Contra Finances Worksheet |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
Headcount Tally Sheet |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
Financial Detail Worksheet | Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Rob Lindauer, Hartford CT Community Dance |
Treasurer's Report | Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 Rob Lindauer, Hartford CT Community Dance |
Dance Organization Fees Summary |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff presents a summary of admission revenue and various costs for a wide range of dances. |
How Should BIDA Finance a Sound System? |
2013 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores various options for BIDA to finance a sound system. The post is followed by an extensive community conversation |
Contra Dance Admission Survey |
2018 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff presents data on how much contra dance communities charge for their dances. |
BIDA Compensation at Various Funding Levels |
2016 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores how much BIDA can pay to talent depending on the attendance and pay per dancer. |
Choose Your Own Admission |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the idea of dancers being able to choose how much they pay to attend a dance. |
Hiring a Dance Musician? |
Sarah Gowan A neat flyer by Sarah that highlights what goes into playing for a dance in relation to what musicians get paid/dancers pay. |
Without an appropriate space, it's hard to have a successful event.
This section includes information about:
- The cost of venue space
- How to find new venues that meet your needs
- Developing your own space
Other relevant material can likely found in the following sections: Community Culture & Increasing Attendance.
CDSS Publications
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Title | More information |
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CDSS News: Fall 2017 Gary Shapiro In this short article, Gary writes about how a gorgeous ballroom inspired him to organize an annual dance event. |
Finding a Hall |
CDSS: c.2000s This resource provides a number of tips and considerations when looking for a new space to hold a dance or music event. |
This section is focused on topics relating to insurance and legal issues.
Other relevant material can likely found in the following sections: Finances; and Organizers & Volunteers.
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
Group Corner: Setting Your Group Up As a Small Business
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CDSS News: Summer 2009 Jeff Martell As the title suggests! |
Workshops
While topics relating to insurance and legal issues have occasional come up during workshops, there are currently no presentation notes specifically on these subjects.
Most of the resources under the headings relate to ongoing events rather than one-time events.
This section includes information about:
- How to organize dance weekends and camps
- Information regarding other types of special events (e.g., techno contras)
Looking for where to start?
- Adam Broome & Jaige Trudel’s session notes on streamlining the organization of weekend dance events.
- Sarah Pilzer’s article on cooking for dance events.
- Jeff Kaufman’s list of special events that BIDA includes as part of their dance season.
Other relevant material can likely found in most other sections (e.g., working with musicians; finances).
CDSS Publications
Many of the articles below are about special events that occur throughout North America. We haven't included all CDSS News articles about camps, weekends, festivals, etc. Instead, we have selected articles to provide a variety of success stories.
Title | More information |
News From Canada: AlgomaTrad Keeps Living Traditions Growing |
CDSS News: Spring 2020 Julie Schryer & Pat O’Gorman This article describes how a community created, and is continuing to develop, a center for heritage arts in central Ontario. This includes information as to funding sources, volunteer structures, and process. |
Grants Far and Wide: Ashland Community Dance and Song Weekend |
CDSS News: Spring 2019 Brooke Friendly This article provides some details about a new weekend for family and community dance, music and song. |
The Experience of a Lifetime: Contra Dance at Burning Man |
CDSS News: Spring 2019 Mark Mathis As the title suggested, told by one of the event organizers. |
Deeds Not Words: Celebrating Suffrage with English Dance |
CDSS News: Fall 2018 Louise Siddons This article describes the organization of an English country dance held in celebration of the centenary of British women’s suffrage. |
News from Canada: Living the Regency Life at Port Alberni’s Jane Austen Festival |
CDSS News: Fall 2018 Jane Schmidt, with contributions from Martha Burd This article describes the success of incorporating English Country Dance into a three-day Jane Austen festival. |
News from Canada – Chehalis Contra Dance Weekend
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CDSS News: Winter 2015-16 Sally Sheedy & Jane Srivastava This article contains some great nuggets about how the Chehalis weekend is organized. |
Sturtevant—A Hike-in Dance Camp |
CDSS News: Spring 2015 Carol Ormond This article contains some great nuggets about how the Sturtevant weekend is organized. |
News from Canada – Ooh La La, A Contra Dance Weekend Built on Cultural Exchange and Local Abundance |
CDSS News: Summer 2014 Jaige Trudel & Adam Broome This article contains some great nuggets about how the Ooh La La weekend is organized. |
News from Canada – Dancing with Style |
CDSS News: Spring 2014 Jo Young This article describes a workshop for advanced dancers that was funded through a CDSS outreach grant. |
Cascade Promenade—A Northwest Dance Phenomenon |
CDSS News: Winter 2013-14 Gordy Euler This article describes a five day event with dances in multiple cities - there are lots of ideas for organizers! |
CDSS News: Summer 2013 Rosemary Lach This article contains some great nuggets about how the BD Fiddle ‘Treat (5 day camp) is organized. |
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Putting on “Techno” Contra Dances |
CDSS News: Fall 2013 Will Loving Extra note from Sue Songer As the title suggests! |
Chesapeake Dance Weekend Celebrates Thirty Years |
CDSS News: Winter 2012 Joel Bluestein This article contains some great nuggets about how the Chesapeake weekend is organized. |
The Syracuse Contra Prom |
CDSS News: Summer 2010 Sarah VanNorstrand This article contains some great nuggets about how the Syracuse Contra Prom is organized. |
Cheers for the Canoneers! |
CDSS News: Summer 2010 Judy Chaves This article describes the organization of a weekly English country dance class in a retirement community. |
The Ins and Outs of Cooking for Dancers |
CDSS News: Winter 2010 Sarah Pilzer As the title suggests! Great advice for weekends and camps. |
A Stellar Scholarship Adventure Changes the Lives of Youth |
CDSS News: Summer 2009 Eleanor Fahrney This article describes how a dance weekend made some significant changes in order to attract more youth participants. |
Gigs from Heaven |
CDSS News: Sept/Oct 2008 Carol Ormond This article is written for organizers by a caller. It describes what makes a great gig experience at weekend and camp events. |
Hiring Dance Camp Staff—Guidelines For Organizers |
CDSS News: Sept/Oct 2008 Lisa Greenleaf As the title suggests! |
CDSS News: Nov-Dec 2005 Dave Marcus This article describes a 7 hour contra dance medley event. |
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Pardon Our Crowing About the Mad Robin Ball |
CDSS News: Mar-Apr 2003 Gayle Bergman This article contains some great nuggets about how the Mad Robin Ball is organized. |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Dance Weekend 101: Streamlining the organization of weekend dance events |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 Ever thought of organizing a dance weekend? Come explore the ins and outs of what it takes to streamline a successful event. |
Working on Weekends: Organizing your dance festival |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 Organizing a dance series is one thing, but planning a weekend-long event for 100 people or more with big name talent is something else entirely. How is it done? Can it be a source of revenue that helps the dance community all year long? We’ll expose the sweat and magic that goes into creating a wildly successful dance weekend. |
Other Resources
Title | More information |
Beantown Stomp Registration Update |
2020 Jeff Kaufman In this post, Jeff explores trends in registration for the upcoming Beantown Stomp contra dance weekend. This includes information on their sliding scale payment options. Community discussion follows. |
Festival Stats 2019 |
2019 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff summarizes what bands and callers have been playing what festival gigs over the past number of years. |
Contra Weekend Heatmap |
2014 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff shares a heat map that he created of the various contra dance weekends throughout North America. |
Advanced Dances |
2019 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores the value of and challenges with advanced dances. The post is followed by an active discussion from the wider dance community. |
Musician Gender in Contra |
2018 Jeff Kaufman Jeff has written a few blog posts on gender as it relates to contra dance bands and booking. |
Contra Caller Gender |
In these two blog posts, Jeff reflects on the booking practices of dance weekends as it relates to the gender of the callers. |
How Much do Dance Weekends Pay? |
2018 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff breaks down what dance weekends pay musicians. Original post 2016 with an update in 2018. |
BIDA and Special Events |
2012 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff describes a number of special events that BIDA include in their dance season. |
Change in Dance Weekends |
2017 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff reflects on the number of dance weekends and which dances have recently stopped/started |
When Are Dance Weekends |
2016 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores what time of year are more/less popular for dance weekends. The post includes a link to his list of dance weekends. |
This section of the portal contains general resources that don’t fit elsewhere. There is great content in this section, so dig in!
Looking for where to start?
- CDSS’s resource on how to facilitate your own organizer discussion at pre-existing weekends/camps or create your own mini-event.
- CDSS’s 2018 survey of traditional dance, music and song organizers in the US. (A smaller follow-up to the Canadian Survey.)
- CDSS’s 2017 survey of traditional dance, music and song organizers in Canada.
CDSS Publications
Title | More information |
How to Facilitate an Organizers DIscussion |
CDSS: 2019 The goal of this resource is to support organizers in facilitating their own local/regional organizer discussion sessions. The resource includes tips on facilitating and also a ‘how to’ on setting up these valuable learning opportunities. |
The CDSS Affiliate Network Speaks: A preliminary look at the first annual CDSS Affiliate Survey |
CDSS News: Fall 2019 Emily Addison & Katy German This article provides a fair bit of insight into the activities of traditional dance, music, and song groups throughout North America as well as areas in which they would like additional support. |
Contra: Homegrown in Saskatoon |
CDSS News: Fall 2019 Liz James This article describes how a very geographically isolated community started their own contra dance series. |
Organizer Discussions at Regional Events: A Great Remedy for Stagnation, Burnout, and Stress |
CDSS News: Summer 2019 Emily Addison and Linda Henry This article promotes the idea of regional organizer discussions and includes tips on how anyone can organize a discussion at a pre-existing weekend/camp or create their own mini gathering. |
News from Canada - A Survey of Canadian Traditional Dance, Music, and Song Organizers |
CDSS News: Winter 2018 Emily L Addison This article summarizes findings from CDSS’s comprhensive survey of traditional dance, music, and song organizers from throughout Canada. The report includes information on who is organizing what, current challenges and concerns facing organizers, and supports that are needed. |
Traditional Dance, Music and Song in the United States – A Survey of Local Organizers |
CDSS: 2018 Emily Addison This report outlines the findings from a survey of local traditional dance, music, and song organizers in the US. This survey was a smaller, follow-up project to the Canadian survey that was completed the year before. |
CDSS Expands Its Support for Local Organizers: New Resources and How You Can Get Involved |
CDSS News: Fall 2018 Emily Addison & Linda Henry As the title suggests! |
Traditional Dance, Music and Song in Canada – A Survey of Local Organizers Danse, musique et chants traditionnels au Canada - Sondage Aupres des organisateur Locaux |
CDSS: 2017 Emily Addison This report outlines the findings from a survey of local traditional dance, music, and song organizers from throughout Canada. It provides information about who is organizing what, strengths and successes of various groups, the challenges groups face, and the supports organizers need. There is also a section on the positive impacts on individuals, communities, and the wider society. |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference (SWROC): From Conference to Coalition |
CDSS Blog: November 2014 Linda Henry This blog post describes the experience of attending the SWROC. |
Puttin’ on the Dance: Field Report |
CDSS Blog: November 2011 Max Newman This blog post describes the experience of attending Puttin' on the Dance 1. |
Notes From the Office: Vibrant Dance Communities Themes and Practical Idea (Part 1) |
CDSS News: Fall 2010 Max Newman In this article, Max provides some insight into how deepen investment by community members including how to engage more volunteers. |
Workshops
Title | More information |
Whole Group Exercises from Plenary Sessions |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 |
Shoot for the Moon: Organizers’ roles in shaping the future of traditional dance |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 |
Hands Across the Borders: Keeping the POTD connections going |
Puttin' On The Dance 2: 2015 |
Conference Wrap-Up |
Southwest Regional Organizers Conference: 2014 |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
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Organizers Unite: Continuing our connections and sharing resources with organizers throughout the region and beyond |
Puttin' On The Dance 1: 2011 |
Other Resources
Title | More information |
Many Resources on How to Be a Great Dancer | The dancer section of the portal contains a lot of tips on how to be a great dancer (and improve). Callers and organizers may find these resources interesting! |
Mastering the Art of Facilitation: A Practical Guide |
Delia Clark: 2018 |
Contra Heatmap |
2014 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff shares a heat map that he created of where contra dance happens throughout North America. |
Models of Contra Dance |
2011 Jeff Kaufman In this blog post, Jeff explores different contexts in which contra dances happen. After his post, there is a lengthy community discussion. |
Online Discussions
Do you want to talk to other organizers right now? Check out some of the listservs or other online groups below. You can ask questions and get immediate responses from organizers throughout North America and beyond. These are invaluable online communities of supportive people who are passionate and have similar interests as you!
Title | More Information |
Shared Weight: Dance Organizers | This mailing list welcomes organizers and those interested in organizing any form of traditional social dance. This includes contra, English country, traditional squares (e.g., Appalachian, New England, Quebecois, Cape Breton, etc), community/family/barn, ceili, Balfolk, and more. Discussion topics vary widely (e.g., how to increase attendance; financial models; safety issues). It's a great way to talk to organizers from throughout North America and beyond. Join the discussion! |
Shared Weight: TradSound | TradSound exists to share information, experiences, techniques about people using intelligence, acoustics and audio equipment to optimally reinforce voices and instruments at community trad music events including dances, concerts and festivals. Most of our group members are audio techs, though we also welcome interested musicians, singers, callers, organizers, dancers and listeners. TradSound is a great way to talk to those passionate about sound at trad events. Join the discussion! |
Shared Weight: English Country Dance | The Shared Weight ECD listserv (email group) is for discussion of all aspects of modern and historical English Country Dance and related forms as they have relevance to the discussion. (Related forms include contra, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, contradanza, Victorian longways dances, quadrilles, cotillions, etc.). The list is intended for callers, dancers, organizers, and musicians, who are all part of one community. Join the discussion! |
This group is the Facebook equivalent of Shared Weight for Organizers, where contra dance organizers share advice, information, and resources with each other. There is much lively discussion. |
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Facebook Group: Gender Free Contra |
This Facebook group is for enthusiasts of Larks and Ravens terminology. However, other ways of welcoming LGBTQIA dancers into contra and other folk dances are also on topic. The group offers resources, discussion, and strategy. |
In-person Gatherings
CDSS is currently recommending that no in-person events be held given the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are maintaining a calendar of online events and have also included links to other virtual event listings on our calendar page. Check out the listing of online events here.
There are many in-person learning & networking opportunities for organizers (e.g., discussions over lunch at a dance weekend; weekend conferences for organizers; day-long gatherings; special organizer streams at dance camps). These events are a fantastic way to be inspired, gain answers to questions you may have, and learn about new ideas you might want to try in your community.
Check out the gatherings below!
If you have an event to add, please email portal@cdss.org.
And - Consider organizing your own gathering. It could be as simple as a one-hour discussion as part of a dance weekend or as complex as a full-weekend conference. Here are some resources to get you started:
- How to Facilitate an Organizers Discussion: This resource not only provides a number of tips on how to facilitate a discussion but it also includes a how-to on including a session at a pre-existing event or creating your own day-long gathering.
- CDSS News article on how to include organizer discussions at regional events: A fantastic read for regional organizers!
- Mastering the Art of Facilitation: A great resource on facilitation skills developed by Delia Clark (community & contra dance caller based in Vermont).
- A how-to on Impact/Feasibility Assessment as used at the Puttin’ On The Dance 2 conference.
- A how-to on Peer Feedback Circles as used at the Puttin’ On The Dance 2 conference.
If you have questions about organizer gatherings, please email resources@cdss.org.
Title | More Information |
Puttin' on the Dance is a conference for organizers of any English/American dance series in the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada, including contra, square, English country, Quebecois, Cape Breton, family, community, gender free, etc. Co-founded by CDSS, the conference occurs every 3-4 years. The next POTD will be held in Portland, ME on 11/30-12/2, 2018. |
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The RPDLW celebrates the music and dance of New England with a heavy focus on tradition. The event occurs every January in Durham, NH. Occasionally there are formal or informal discussions among organizers. |
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The Dance Flurry | The Dance Flurry is a massive weekend-long dance festival that happens every February in Saratoga Springs, NY. For the last few years, the Dance Flurry has held a discussion session specifically for organizers to discuss shared challenges as well as solutions and best practices. |
Youth Dance Weekend | The Youth Dance Weekend's mission is to be an exciting and accessible Contra and English dance weekend that helps young people from across North America connect with each other and develop skills and new ideas for participating and leading in all aspects of our vibrant dance community. Since many of the attendees are dance organizers/leaders back in their home communities, this weekend always includes discussions about organizing dances. |
Pourparler | Pourparler is a yearly gathering of individuals dedicated to teaching folk/ethnic/world/traditional dance in schools and/or in the wider community. While much of the weekend focuses on sharing actual dances, there is much opportunity to talk about promoting, organizing, and leading dance. |
You can organize an organizer gathering! |
Consider organizing an informal or formal discussion at any traditional dance, music, or song gathering that's already happening. It could be as simple as putting up a sign for a table discussion over lunch. If you would like to organize a leadership training event of any size, CDSS has training materials for you. For information about financial and logistical support available through CDSS, email resources@cdss.org. |
Other CDSS organizer conferences |
CDSS has helped facilitate conferences for organizers throughout the US and Canada. Contact resources@cdss.org if you would like to help create a conference for YOUR region! |
CDSS week-long organizer conferences | Occasionally CDSS offers sessions for organizers at their week-long summer camps. For information about the most current programs, visit the link to the left. |
Other Resources
This section contains even more resources that may be of interest to organizers.
Share your resources: Do you have a resource you think should be shared on The Portal? Fill out this easy form to let us know about it!
Directories and Calendars | |
The CDSS Affiliate Directory contains contact information of all of the organizations that are currently members of CDSS. It’s a great resource to find organizers with whom you might want to connect. |
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The CDSS Events calendar lists traditional dance, music, and song events throughout North America. View events that others have submitted and add your own. |
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CDSS Dance Map |
The CDSS dance map lists dance series throughout North America. |
The Caller Directory | Developed by Luke Donforth, The Caller Directory is a spreadsheet listing self-submitted callers, their contact information, and what they call. It also provides space for references, video links, and a comment from the caller. |
Dance DB | Ted Crane's database is another location where organizers can post their events so that dancers, musicians, callers, and other organizers can find out about them. This database tends to focus on contra dance, although some English country dance and swing dances are listed. |
ECD Around the United States | Alan Winston maintains a list of English country dances throughout the United States. |
Trycontra.com | Jeff Kaufman maintains a website of contra dances where you can enter your zip code and it will list dances close by. You can also look at the full list of dances. |
Contradancelinks.com | This website focuses primarily on contra dance but it also has information about waltzing, Scandinavian dance, and old time square dance. The site not only lists dance series by region but also has links to callers, bands, and much more. |
The Dance Gypsy | The Dance Gypsy is another listing of dance-related events, venues, and performers. The list focuses primarily on contra dance but does include other forms of folk dance as well. |
Where's the Dance? |
Submitted by Rachelle Cournoyer: 2018 This resource is primarily for the modern western square dance community although it also lists a few other traditions including contra. The website allows users to easily look up where and when dance events are happening in North America. |
Umbrella Organizations | |
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English Folk Dance and Song Society | Based in England, EFDSS was founded in 1932 to preserve, promote, and develop the English folk arts (specifically songs, tunes, and dances). Activities supported by this incredibly active organization include advocacy, learning, participation, and performance and artists' development. They have taken on many initiatives to support local organizers. |
Still More Resources | |
CDSS Affiliate Insurance | CDSS offers our Affiliates the opportunity to participate in our Group General Liability Insurance Policy. Click the link to learn more! |
Shop Talk | Shop Talk is a free quarterly e-newsletter from CDSS that is specifically for traditional dance, music, and song organizers. It contains interesting resources, best practices, inspirational stories, and training opportunities. |
CDSS E-News | This is CDSS’s main e-newsletter with announcements, articles, and other news. You can browse through past issues and sign up to receive the news. |
CDSS News | CDSS News is our quarterly print publication, and in a slightly shorter format, an online publication. Each issue is full of fantastic articles as well as other content (e.g. songs; dances; announcements). You can browse through past issues. Become a CDSS member to receive the print publication. |
Country Dance + Song | CD+S is an online journal with articles that explore how Anglo-American dance and song traditions continue to reinvent and refresh themselves.. |
Country Dance and Song Archives | This webpage contains the 26 volumes of CDSS's Country Dance and Song publication which ran from 1968-1998. The articles are available free online and cover a wide range of topics from ritual dance to social dance to traditional song. |
The Country Dancer Archives | This webpage contains CDSS's Country Dancer Archives, which ran from 1940-1966. Many of the articles focus on news from the dance music and song community although there are articles on music/dance style, song contributions, and more. |
CDSS Library & Archives at the University of New Hampshire | The CDSS Library at UNH is a collection of nearly 3,000 books, 400 periodicals, pamphlets and sheet music, and close to 2000 recordings all about traditional dance, music and song. The CDSS Archives are another 64 boxes of manuscripts, personal papers of individuals prominent in the teaching and collection of American traditional dances and songs, microfiche recordings, and archival materials dating from CDSS's founding in 1915. |
Traditional Dance, Music and Song in Canada – A Survey of Local Organizers |
CDSS: 2017 This report outlines the findings from a survey of local traditional dance, music, and song organizers from throughout Canada. It provides information about who is organizing what, strengths and successes of various groups, the challenges groups face, and the supports organizers need. There is also a section on the positive impacts on individuals, communities, and the wider society. |
Traditional Dance, Music and Song in the United States – A Survey of Local Organizers |
CDSS: 2018 |