Archive: DanceMN Updates

Maybe it’s just me, but the current season seems to be multilayered: Within five days it was 80 degrees and then shifted to a quick moment of snowflakes lightly falling on my windshield. Seasons can quickly shift, overlap, flow and go, mirroring life quite well…or vice versa.

Hello, I am Arneshia Williams, a relatively new member of the DanceMN Steering Committee. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of you – human beings who love dance and who love art – and look forward to meeting those who I haven’t crossed paths with yet. I write to connect and share in possibilities.

I joined DanceMN having been graciously asked and because curiosity led me to openness. I was curious about the dance focused newsletter that I previously submitted postings to AND I was curious about how I could support the dance arts community through the DanceMN forum. I’m still figuring out how to contribute and am appreciating learning about some of the histories of dance in Minnesota from fellow steering committee members. DanceMN’s new vision is that All are connected to dance in Minnesota.

This vision moves hand-in-hand with the mission of increasing visibility and vitality for Minnesota dance. In this current season, or layer of seasons, I wonder what that is? How do we foresee the vision and mission working together? How do you, the Minnesota dance community, envision DanceMN contributing to the visibility and vitality of dance in Minnesota? How has DanceMN contributed in the past? How does it contribute now? 

In this current season, DanceMN is shifting by bringing in new members, ideating about future possibilities, and discussing past history. We ask you to consider joining us in the present and future possibilities in a few ways. One, what dance history is part of the Minnesota dance community? What knowledge do you have? DanceMN is a part of the dance community and we want to hear from you, important people who are part of the full dance community. You can answer these questions and pose your own, as well as see what others have to say in the comments on our GiveMN page. Second, DanceMN is currently in its Fall fundraising season. Would you consider donating to help us maintain the ability to produce the DanceMN newsletter?

We appreciate you considering making a contribution to DanceMN in this season – or mix of seasons – by voicing dance histories and assisting us in the ability to produce the newsletter. Whatever you decide, we give thanks in advance. And, thanks for taking time to read this.

Arneshia Williams

DanceMN Steering Committee
Ashley Chin-Mark
Rahila Naomi Stadem Coats
Joanne Gordon
Sarah LaRose-Holland
Jim Lieberthal
Alys Ayumi Ogura
Eve Schulte
Julie Warder
Arneshia Williams

DanceMN Co-Editors
Annie Carlson
Non Edwards

Greetings Dance Community:

Happy Spring! In this season of flowering, we invite a moment of reflection, allowing our seeds to take root and foster new growth. It is always a time for gratitude, and we thank you for your connection and commitment toward helping DanceMN continue to flourish.

DanceMN: All are connected to dance in Minnesota

In fulfilling its purpose of connecting all in Minnesota to dance, DanceMN asks for your help. Our slow and steady work bears fruit, but only with the help of individuals like you, who heartfully contribute. Consider giving a gift today.

Your dollars will help us sustain our recent accomplishment of hiring an additional part-time staffer. We are also in the process of identifying how to sustainably keep our new website up to date and responsive while working to include a History Page. Ongoing work includes sending out the weekly e-newsletter, primarily comprised of content from you: class and performance information, auditions, special opportunities, and much more. All posts offer connection across Minnesota and beyond.

DanceMN needs your help to continue this meaningful and necessary work! Whether you are a reader or regular poster, please contribute today. Thank you in advance for your generosity, enabling DanceMN to continue promoting and supporting dance growth in Minnesota.

Before the weeds of summer take over, spring to it and make your donation to DanceMN this May!

Sincerely,

DanceMN Steering Committee:

Ashley Chin-Mark, Rahila Coats, Penelope Freeh, Joanne Gordon, Sarah LaRose-Holland, Jim Lieberthal, Kaya Lovestrand, Zofia Mathews, Alys Ayumi Ogura, Eve Schulte, Julie Warder, and Arneshia Williams

Dear Dance Community:

Mark your calendars! Our fall fundraising campaign will begin on November 1, aligning with Give to the Max. We are excited to share some of what we’ve been working on this past year, so keep an eye out for a message from us to kick off the start of our fundraising.

Warmly,

DanceMN’s Steering Committee:
Rahila Coates, Penelope Freeh, Joanne Gordon, Sarah, LaRose-Holland, Jim Lieberthal, Kaya Lovestrand, Zofia Mathews, Alys Ayumi Ogura, Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez, and Eve Schulte

Dear DanceMN Readers,

Thank you for helping sustain DanceMN in our mission to increase visibility and vitality for Minnesota dance. Your contributions are what keep us going! Donations can be made any time at http://givemn.org/DanceMN, or via check to Springboard for the Arts with “DanceMN” written in the memo line.

Thank you for your support as donors, readers, and contributors.

Dear DanceMN Readers,

Amidst the tumult of the past 13 months, DanceMN has continued to serve as a vital resource for our community of artists. In addition, we LAUNCHED A NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE. If you haven’t had an opportunity to explore it, please do!

We need your support. The development of the website used most of our modest savings, and we need to restock the coffers. It is more important than ever that we all step up to help preserve the support systems that bolster Minnesota dance in the midst of the ongoing social reckonings and Covid pandemic. We are starting to see the end of a very long year where we have been physically separated and unable to gather in celebration of art—precisely the thing we all love the most! Throughout the past year, DanceMN has continued to be the link for the community, ceaselessly posting:

• Performances and closures
• Virtual opportunities
• Classes and new creative endeavors
• Funding sources and space availability
• Auditions and jobs
• Dance reviews and podcasts
• Fellowships and scholarships
• Community exchange

While continuing to provide this service, we have also been working to develop a more secure, user-friendly, and visually accessible website, which launched on March 31. We’re excited to share it and think you’ll find it a great improvement. The big addition to the site is a performance and special events calendar! Now, you can add your performance and event information as soon as you know—a year, even more—in advance, so we can see what each other has scheduled in order to better coordinate events as a community.

DanceMN is the go-to place for dance information in Minnesota. Please help sustain this invaluable resource by making a monetary donation of any amount. DanceMN depends on the financial support of its readers and the organizations that use this service.

Thank you for your consideration and assistance, and we extend our gratitude to those who have already contributed.

Sincerely,

The DanceMN Steering Committee:
Rahila Coats, Penelope Freeh, Joanne Gordon, Sarah LaRose-Holland, Jim Lieberthal, Kaya Lovestrand, Zofia Mathews, Alys Ayumi Ogura, Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez, Eve Schulte, Anat Shinar

Dear DanceMN Readers,

Amidst the tumult of the past 13 months, DanceMN has continued to serve as a vital resource for our community of artists. In addition, we LAUNCHED A NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE. If you haven’t had an opportunity to explore it, please do!

We need your support. The development of the website used most of our modest savings, and we need to restock the coffers. It is more important than ever that we all step up to help preserve the support systems that bolster Minnesota dance in the midst of the ongoing social reckonings and Covid pandemic. We are starting to see the end of a very long year where we have been physically separated and unable to gather in celebration of art—precisely the thing we all love the most! Throughout the past year, DanceMN has continued to be the link for the community, ceaselessly posting:

• Performances and closures
• Virtual opportunities
• Classes and new creative endeavors
• Funding sources and space availability
• Auditions and jobs
• Dance reviews and podcasts
• Fellowships and scholarships
• Community exchange

While continuing to provide this service, we have also been working to develop a more secure, user-friendly, and visually accessible website, which launched on March 31. We’re excited to share it and think you’ll find it a great improvement. The big addition to the site is a performance and special events calendar! Now, you can add your performance and event information as soon as you know—a year, even more—in advance, so we can see what each other has scheduled in order to better coordinate events as a community.

DanceMN is the go-to place for dance information in Minnesota. Please help sustain this invaluable resource by making a monetary donation of any amount. DanceMN depends on the financial support of its readers and the organizations that use this service.

Thank you for your consideration and assistance!

Sincerely,
The DanceMN Steering Committee:
Rahila Coats, Penelope Freeh, Joanne Gordon, Sarah LaRose-Holland, Jim Lieberthal, Kaya Lovestrand, Zofia Mathews, Alys Ayumi Ogura, Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez, Eve Schulte, Anat Shinar