If you’re not already aware, https://www.dancingalonetogether.org/ is evolving as a centralized resource for dancing online. Featuring a growing set of online classes and dance-focused video, this might keep you busy for a while…
Wide Angle Youth Media has put together another locally-focused directory of resources for these pandemic times. You can see that here: https://www.wideanglemedia.org/covid-19-resources
Too late to engage, but a tip of the hat to Mobtown Ballroom for their Mobtown Telethon (Replays here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9SmO-IfFFY [part 1] and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDqjPPiKWX8 [part 2]).
With this enforced downtime, there’s a bit of an opportunity to visit things from months and years past. Aeon has some nice things about dance, so I thought it would be nice to throw some attention their way… Dig into their history for more. A few items (starting with one of my go-to explainers):
- https://aeon.co/videos/dance-seems-to-be-the-ultimate-frivolity-how-did-it-become-a-human-necessity
- https://aeon.co/ideas/how-dancing-helps-me-think-and-thinking-helps-me-dance
- https://aeon.co/ideas/how-ballerinas-defy-the-corporeal-in-a-quest-for-the-ethereal
- https://aeon.co/videos/classical-ballet-transforms-into-a-dance-of-the-surreal-in-this-duet-from-1968
- https://aeon.co/videos/far-from-the-studio-craftsmen-hammer-ballet-shoes-with-their-own-rough-grace
- https://aeon.co/videos/for-the-star-of-the-bolshoi-ballet-there-is-no-distinction-between-life-and-art
It seems a lot of dancers have jumped into Zoom as a way to keep engaged. Please be careful with this… LOTS of security and other issues with Zoom. Zoombombing turned into a thing. And you may have noticed NYC schools banned Zoom (among others). For a serious look at issues with Zoom, check here ( https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/04/security_and_pr_1.html ). For alternatives…. If you’re broadcasting a class, check out Open Broadcaster Software ( https://obsproject.com/ ) and if you’re doing things one-on-one, one more-secure option is Wire ( https://wire.com/ ).
Now that I’ve scared everyone away from Zoom, the Maryland State Arts Council will be hosting a conversation on dance with Zoom in a couple hours:
Creative Conversations: Dance
April 7th, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Led by MSAC Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz
Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/6114214132
Meeting ID: 611 421 4132
MSAC has also launched an Emergency Grant program that applies to both organizations and individual artists. MSAC will prioritize funding to applicants that cannot find other options. Information here: https://www.msac.org/grants/emergency-grant
Ok, I need to get this out into the ether so you have enough time to catch that MSAC thing.
Please BRDS and bring friends to BRDS ( https://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020 ).
Please stay home.
Please keep dancing.
Please reach out to people directly and personally. They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you. I will miss you.
Simple acts of kindness do matter. Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.
If there is something I can do, please let me know.