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As our affiliate renewal season winds down and summer ramps up, I'm reflecting on all the warm and welcoming conversations I've had this spring with CDSS Affiliates across the US and Canada. In any one day, I could be speaking with affiliates in Alaska, Indiana, Ontario, and Florida.

We are truly a wide web of dedicated organizers, volunteers, and cultivators of joy—and we're stronger together. Like dancers who opt to complete a set, or singers who boldly raise their voice in song, we all step up to contribute to the success story of CDSS.

Organizers in Action:

Puttin' on the Dance 3

In May, dance organizers from around the Northeast and points beyond gathered in Belfast, ME, for Puttin' on the Dance 3.

Puttin' on the Dance was first organized in 2011 and reproduced in 2015. After a pandemic hiatus, this year's conference drew 44 organizers from Ontario, New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Washington.

Dedicated organizers of contra, ECD, squares, and Irish set dancing came together for an incredible weekend of sharing, learning, inspiration, and community. Sessions centered on topics such as cultivating new organizers, attracting a younger audience, handling disruptive behavior, financial dexterity, and others.

The POTD3 Archive includes notes from the conference sessions and additional resources from participants!

Affiliates in the News

Check out CDSS Affiliates Lake City Contra Dance and the brand new TransTrad Festival featured in this piece on evolving dance traditions in the Pacific Northwest.

Changing two words is a step forward for local contra dancers

KNKX Public Radio | By Devon Leger

"Attendance is way up, a new generation of dancers is bringing a wonderful energy to the dance floor, and experienced older dancers can expand on their skill sets in new ways." —Devon Leger

From the Archives

CDSS has supported local groups throughout our 110 year history, but by different names: first "centers," then "associates," and finally "affiliates," which emerged for the first time in 1990.

Thank you for being a part of a time-tested network of music and dance!

Community Grant Funds Increased!

Grant funding for 2025 events and projects is still available!

• Looking to start a new dance series near you?
• Have a unique project related to participatory dance & song?
• Interested in training members of your community in music or calling?

See our Community Grants page for more information and how to apply.

Thanks to your generous giving to our recent appeals and to demonstrated value and need in our community, the CDSS Board recently approved a $10,000 increase in available grant funding for this year.

Community Culture & Safety Toolkit

New for organizers! The Community Culture & Safety Toolkit is a comprehensive guide to help organizers develop the policies, procedures, and supporting documents needed to understand and facilitate safety in their communities.

Topics include creating a statement of community values, code of conduct, and etiquette guidelines; establishing protocols for handling complaints and infractions; and evaluating the safety of a physical space. The toolkit also includes bonus guides on facilitating community meetings, role terminology, and managing chemical sensitivities. Check it out at cdss.org/toolkit.

Disaster Relief for Kentucky and Missouri

Have you or your organization suffered loss in the face of natural disaster?

Dozens of people and groups in our dance and music communities have lost income, property, event spaces, and much more due to recent storms and wildfires.

Visit our Disaster Relief page to create a listing so our community can show up for you. Let's send some kindness, business, or funds to the callers, musicians, singers, sound technicians, participants, and local groups who make our lives so sweet. 

POTD3 group photo by Will Cleland. NPR logo used in accordance with NPR guidelines. Grant dance photo by Katy German. Hands across photo by Doug Plummer.