Year: 2023-2024
DanceForce Member: Toni Smith
Partnering DanceForce Member: Kim Engel
Community Partners: Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company; EMPAC, Troy NY; Proctor’s Theatre, Schenectady; Russell Sage College; Saratoga Performing Arts Center; Skidmore College; The Egg, Albany; UAlbany Performing Arts Center; Union College, Schenectady
Counties: Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady
The Capital Region of New York encompasses four counties where there are many dance presenters and sponsors. Each venue maintains independent programming and marketing and yet collectively the venues produce a full year of dance offerings. The Capital Dance Season Calendar is a project that encourages independent dance hosts to work together to create a single calendar of events. Data on performances, festivals, lecture demonstrations and workshops are gathered in the early summer. The data plus marketing materials combine in a four color, two fold brochure that can be mailed or tabled. Seven thousand calendars were printed, of which 5500 were sent to known regional dance audience participants from combined mailing lists. The remainder of the calendars were provided to dance presenters and colleges for tabling and distribution. The calendar is used by regional dance programs to plan outreach activities. Many of the touring companies in the calendar are sent out into the community by host venues or shared with other venues. Collective marketing and outreach via the Capital Region Dance Season Calendar places the four county region as a vibrant, active dance community.
Post Covid, several dance venues are holding regular participatory dance trainings, workshops and festivals. The Calendar has welcomed those activities into the document creating an appreciative community. Printing, bulk mailing processing locally is welcomed additional business to the region. Additional administrative support has been offered by the local Dance Alliance, a membership organization. The artists touring the region and the artists in the region are thrilled to see their activities featured in the calendar.