Organizers

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512 discussions

by Dale Wilson

There is a lot of misinformation out there about Covid-19 and various folk remedies that are being recommended. Sometimes the people posting this information say something like "Studies have shown.." or "In a recent study..." Because misinformation can destroy people's lives (even if it doesn't kill them) anyone posting information from a study should include references to the original publications, or at least the name(s) of the author(s) of the study and a mention of the peer-reviewed journal in which the study results were published. Without this supporting information, the information is at best a distraction, and at worst a death sentence for people who cannot be vaccinated due to age or other physical limitation. Thank you for keeping this in mind, Dale Wilson Childgrove (St. Louis) Board Member.

3 years, 8 months

Seeking news on covid infections from dances with vaccination

by Liz Burkhart

Hi all, with some dances resuming for the summer, I'd like to hear how that's been for dance communities. Have groups started and then stopped? Is there any news of infections from dance camps or weekends? I know Pinewoods heightened their requirements (from just vaccination to also multiple negative tests + masking for the first few days of American Week), and then cancelled the rest of their camps. Thanks, Liz Burkhart (she/her) Organizer with Lavender Country and Folk Dancers

3 years, 8 months

Re: Seeking news on covid infections from dances with vaccination

by Peter Martel

Thanks Paul, Trying to stay in the factual world and out of speculation and opinion. Sent from miHand, Peter NH > On Aug 24, 2021, at 12:44 AM, Paul Wilde <zenyente(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Peter, > > Beautifully said. Kudos for getting to the heart of the matter. > This is exactly how I feel. We have a huge responsibility to > the entire community within and beyond the dance halls. > > Thank you, > Paul W. > Prov RI

3 years, 8 months

Re: Seeking news on covid infections from dances with vaccination

by Peter Martel

Hi all, Numbers keep ramping up here and everywhere with very few very isolated exceptions. Anecdotes are not complete science but here are a couple of facts: My dad has been in a vets home before and through this pandemic. 100% by his own choice. Had lots of options pre-pandemic and since. He chooses to stay. If you heard about the vets home in MA, you’ll know that was a wake up call for all vet homes. My dad’s place was fine for quite some time. Very careful, but suddenly, before the vaccines, COVID got in and 37 died of it. Strict lockdown kept most of them safe going forward. Post vaccine, all but one got vaccinated. No deaths since and they were visiting and traveling freely. (Don’t know about the one who chose not to vax). Staff aren’t (weren’t?) required to get vaccinated and one of the hands-on staff recently tested positive. The whole place is under quarantine again. Lucky so far. That’s an anecdotal fact. Generally accepted science is not surprised. Another fact, as most folks here know, kids are very unlikely to die from the earlier strains of COVID; the new variants effects are to-be-determined. But we do know at least anecdotally that they are getting much sicker under delta when they do get sick and just like dancers in a contra line, kids in schools are great vectors, both amongst themselves and back home and across the community, in part BECAUSE they can’t be vaccinated. This discussion is not only or primarily about our own personal health, or about the well-being of our dancers and musicians; it is about protecting those everywhere that are most vulnerable, whether they dance or not, those in the wider community, including all of those who thought they were healthy but got very sick anyway, with too many dying. We will dance again, and it will be sooner if we all take every precaution now, including being a little uncomfortable and unhappy in the short-term for the good of everyone in the long term. Regardless of opinions about vaccines or chances of personal survival, it seems pretty clear we are currently headed in the wrong direction, and I’d like to think this dance community has the greater community in mind when thinking about and deciding what to do going forward. We will dance again, but let’s be sure we don’t put others at risk for the sake of our desires. 💃 🕺 Sent from miHand, Peter PS: The Vaccine Dinner Club (VDC) is having an online presentation on Wednesday, September 1 -- see here <http://www.cfar.emory.edu/vdc/calendar/sep.php> for more details and registration. Hope to see many of you there.

3 years, 8 months

Maintaining respectful and kind tone on the SW organizer list

by Emily Addison

Hi All, I'm not a list moderator for this particular SW list but I am a list moderator for two other SW lists. What I've noticed over the past few days on this list is that some pretty divisive and inflammatory language has come up. Here is text from the Shared Weight website which applies to all SW lists: *FIRST AND FOREMOST – we are supportive of each other!As members of Shared Weight, we treat our fellow list members with kindness, understanding and support. We enjoy lively debate but prize civility. Be conscious of the difference between facts and opinions.Language that puts down the ideas of others or that is aggressive will not be tolerated. However, it’s also important to remember that most people do have an occasional bad day and are capable of change.* I appreciate the conversation about COVID specifically as it relates to organizing dances. However, it doesn't seem as though that the broader discussion about COVID and vaccines belongs on this particular list. And I encourage us all to consider looking at our emails through the lens of being supportive of each other and treating each other with kindness and understanding. Emily

3 years, 8 months

Fwd: Re: Seeking news on covid infections from dances with vaccination

by Weogo Reed

Hi Mac, On 8/19/2021 2:50 PM, Walker Sloan via Organizers wrote: > > Breathtaking! > > "Big + for dancing, and singing together is an excellent builder of > social capital!" > > The two MOST EFFICIENT methods possible for spreading COVID. > Literally, you cannot invent more efficient activities for mass > spreader events. Agreed, very effective methods of spreading anything respiratory! Does mass spreader event necessarily equal mass sickness, injury and death? All activities have risk. I believe that, from a longer term point of view, climate change is a much bigger issue than covid. When we are past covid, supporting healthy, community-building activities is a good thing, yes? More than 40% of Americans are obese. Many health issues would be lower if we were healthier. Physical activity is one key. We are social creatures. We have been having one or two friends over in the garden or on the porch. Tomorrow we have six neighbors coming over a four hour time period. For me, meeting online pales compared to the real thing. What do you suggest for keeping up social connections? I apologize to the list if I'm too far off topic... Thanks and good health, Weogo

3 years, 8 months

Re: Seeking news on covid infections from dances with vaccination

by John and/or Jan Bloom

Our experience in Houston was similar to others. Started ECD in late June requiring vaccinations, then as the surge ramped up, added a mask requirement, and then cancelled the dances. The only difference is that Texas law prohibits businesses from requiring vaccinations from customers, so our dances were NOT sponsored by our local group, but by an individual. John Bloom

3 years, 8 months

Susan Kevra presents at Mt Airy Speaker Series Thursday

by Donna Hunt

On Thursday June 10 at 8 pm (EST), Susan Kevra will join the Mt Airy (Philadelphia) Virtual Contra Speaker Series to present “A Crash Course on the History of American Social Dance”. Many of you know Susan as a dance caller but she is also a professor at Vanderbilt University, where she teaches a course called American Social History through Dance. Join us as Susan presents an overview of her course which charts dance history in America from Native American Dance through Hip Hop with a chance to see amazing footage of dance from across the centuries. For more info please go to: https://thursdaycontra.com/speakers/ Thereare two ways to watch this presentation: 1. Live stream onFacebook using this link (simply click on the link at 8pm and you'llsee the livepresentation). https://www.facebook.com/watch/mtairycontra/ 2.If you cannot tune in for the live presentation, we will be recordingit and you can go to our website in a week and it will be postedhere. https://thursdaycontra.com/speakers/ Forthose who regularly receive the virtual dance announcements from theMt Airy email list, you can register for the Zoom experiencefrom the email announcement. However, because of limited space (100person maximum) if you don't usually receive our emails we ask thatyou use the live stream FB option. Thanks! DonnaEmail: dhuntdancer(a)aol.com Cell: 215-565-6050

3 years, 11 months

Resource for open bands in your community

by Emily Addison

Hi fellow organizers, Sharing info about a brand new open dance band resource. I know not all of you will have open dance bands but they are relatively common, and maybe it's time to think about starting one... ... the pandemic feels like a great time to me! :) Full disclosure - I pulled the resource together on behalf of CDSS. Despite my bias [[:)!]], I feel as though it's a really useful resource for both new and experienced band leaders as there are best practices and tips provided by 35 different open dance bands. Here's a direct link to the resource: https://www.cdss.org/images/documents/resource-portal/CDSS-Open-Band-Resour… CDSS lists a number of other resources for open bands here: https://www.cdss.org/resources/resource-portal/musicians#open-dance-bands I've found that the pandemic has been a fantastic time to bring new musicians into our local open dance band here in Ottawa, Ontario. Some of our local dancers have joined our monthly zoom practices. The practices have been a safe space for those who are a bit shy or unsure about their musicianship as they can play along with the band leader while not being heard by others. We've also built in a bit of visiting time into our practices as a way for band members to connect. I think we've found some new players for our open dance band! Hope you enjoy :) Emily in Ottawa

4 years

Request from a school

by ROBERT FABINSKI

I received a request for assistance with organizing a contradance in Long Island, for Grace Christian Academy, in the next month or so. I explained(1) That I live in Rochester NY, 7 hours drive (at least), and there is local talent that would be better suited;(2) That all contradances in the country have been closed because one could not *design* a more effective way to transmit Covid virus among a crowd of people. I voiced appreciation for their wanting to include Contradance in the school program, and was hoping that someone on this serve-list, who is more proximate to the school, could follow up with the woman. We've had some successful contact with local colleges here, and would recommend it for other organizations. Please PM me if you are interested in the contact information, for the purpose of FUTURE outreach.(specifically, I won't pass along the information if your only purpose in contacting her is to chastise her.My explanation of the situation should be sufficient to let her know the pandemic-related concerns.) Bob Fabinski

4 years

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