Dear Dance Organizers,
Exciting news... Plans are afoot for a conference of dance organizers throughout eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S. We are delighted to announce *Puttin’ on the Dance 2: Hands Across the Border!* You're receiving this email as we've heard that you help make, or are interested in helping make dances happen in your community. This conference will bring people together like you to share and learn for a whole weekend. :) We hope you’ll - *READ* this message asap - *FORWARD* it to anyone who might be interested + let us know about these folks - *SAVE THE DATE - March 20-22, 2015* *Save the Date!* *March 20-22, 2015* *Puttin’ On the Dance 2 (POTD2): Hands Across the Border* *Come meet other organizers, share ideas and experiences, learn new strategies for creating successful dances, and more. We’ll also dance, eat, and have fun with our organizer peers!* *WHAT?* In November 2011, the first <http://www.puttinonthedance.org/>*Puttin' On the Dance* <http://www.puttinonthedance.org/> convened 78 dance organizers for a conference in White River Junction, VT. POTD was packed with workshops, discussions, dancing and more! Many dance communities benefited in significant ways from this weekend, and it was clear an event like this should happen every few years. (See <http://www.puttinonthedance.org/post-conference/testimonials/>testimonials <http://www.puttinonthedance.org/post-conference/testimonials/>.) POTD2 will provide resources and opportunities for learning, sharing, and renewal! We’ll strengthen networks for sustaining the dance traditions we love throughout our region. *WHO?* For organizers of any American/English dance series! This includes contra, English country, community/family, square, Quebecois, Cape Breton, and other American and Canadian social dance. *ALL dance organizers are welcome to attend! *We are specifically targeting in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S.: New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Ontario. *HOW MUCH?* Attending this event is an excellent investment in your dance’s future! Making this conference as affordable as possible is one of our priorities, but there are <http://www.puttinonthedance.org/register/fund-your-attendance/>many ways <http://www.puttinonthedance.org/register/fund-your-attendance/> (updated version for the SW conference here <http://cdss.org/swroc/register/fund-your-attendance/>) you and your group can help pay your way including travel costs. More information on costs and registration will be available later in the summer. *WHERE?* Ottawa, Ontario *WHY CANADA?* The first POTD was co-sponsored by many dance organizations, including the Country Dance and Song Society <http://www.cdss.org/>. After supporting <http://www.cdss.org/conferences.html>several conferences <http://www.cdss.org/conferences.html> throughout the U.S. since 2006, CDSS recently decided it’s time to help a conference happen in Canada. The Ottawa dance contra community sent three of their dance organizers to the first POTD. Those individuals and their local dance organization are thrilled to help catalyze the next conference in the Northeast Region – on their home turf. A reminder, passports are required for travel to Canada by US Citizens. Plan ahead! *QUESTIONS?* email [email protected] We'll keep you posted with updates! Meanwhile... *Please help us spread the word.* Forward this message to: > Members of your community who might want to come > People who organize dances near you that we may not have on our list > ANYONE you know who might be interested. > Please also send us names & emails of organizers we may not know about. You can do so by emailing us at [email protected] and letting us know the person's name, email and what dance they help organize. We look forward to hearing from you soon! Sincerely… Adina Gordon, Burlington VT Andrew Clyde, Ottawa ON Catherine Burns, Ottawa ON Chrissy Fowler, Belfast ME David Smukler, Syracuse NY Delia Clark, Taftsville VT Emily Addison, Ottawa ON Linda Henry, Amherst, MA Nancy Turner, Mad River VT Quena Crain, Brattleboro VT Reta Troop, Smith Falls, ON Roger Williams, Ottawa ON Sara Lawson, Iroquois ON Sarah VanNorstrand, Syracuse NY Val Robb, Ottawa ON Co-sponsors currently include: *Country Dance and Song Society* <http://www.cdss.org/conferences.html> and <http://www.dance-ottawa.com/dance-association/old-sod-folk-music-society>*Old Sod Folk Music Society* <http://www.dance-ottawa.com/dance-association/old-sod-folk-music-society>.
