NEW! Web Chat for All Communities

Yes We CAN Keep in Touch!
Connecting Our Communities During the Pandemic

We’re saving our previously announced Web Chat for song organizers for a later date. Tune in for this special Web Chat later this month!

Wednesday, April 29, 7:00-8:00 p.m. EDT

Amidst this period of physical distancing, many music, dance, and song groups are finding creative ways to keep their community members connected. We’d love to help you hear from many organizers far and wide about inspiring experiences that are working in their local communities. So we’re hosting a special web chat using a new format to bring you innovative ideas for ALL communities—song, music, dance (ECD, contra, Morris, square, dancing with kids, etc.). We welcome your ideas!

by 4/24 to share your group’s experience (provide brief description in registration form)
by 4/28 to join as a listener
Please share this message with friends and help us spread this virtual quilt of ideas over the entire continent and beyond! Questions? Contact resources@cdss.org
Are you a volunteer in your local community? Sign up for Shop Talk!
CDSS’s Shop Talk e-newsletter specifically caters to local organizers and volunteers, sharing information about the most recent and relevant resources available to support you. Sign up for Shop Talk here!
COVID-19 Resources Updates
Our Resources for Freelancers page is updated nearly daily with new sources of funding and other helpful links for artists. Recent additions include:

Artist Relief — $5,000 grants to U.S. artists facing dire financial emergencies; application cycles run approximately every month through August

Violin-Building Fundraiser for Musician Aid — $250 aid packages to performing and teaching musicians, funded by a raffle for a violin made (over livestream!) by Jacob Brillhart and a bow made by Eben Bodach-Turner and Evan Orman.

Financial Assistance Resource List — from Unison Fund Canada, for Canadians and Canadians living abroad
Online Events!
Looking for something fun the next few days? Check out these upcoming online events hosted by some of our community members! Find more events here, and submit your own here.


April 15, 10:00 a.m. EDT — Daily Antidotes of Song , from Washington Revels

April 19, 4:00 p.m. EDT — Revels Connects presents Sophie et Adam

During this time of uncertainty, we are committed to continuing our work fostering connection. Your financial support would mean a lot, and will help to ensure that we emerge from this crisis as strong as ever. Make a gift, or become a member.
CDSS Camps Update
While our camp weeks at Pinewoods have been cancelled this year, our programs in Maryland ( Cascade of Music & Dance), Michigan ( Dance, Music & Spice), and New Hampshire ( Family Week at Ogontz) are currently open for registration. For these remaining programs, we are actively monitoring the pandemic situation and will continue to adjust as necessary.

For any programs we have to cancel, or for any camper who must cancel because of COVID-19, we offer a full refund of registration fees. We will continue to communicate in the weeks leading up to camp, and at camp, to explain any procedures that will be put in place for safety. For more information on available programs and scholarships, visit our new camp website.
Photo: Avia Moore