I’m coming up on the one-year anniversary of Danceletter’s “listings” era. When this new chapter began, last September, I told myself I would see how it went for a year, then decide if I should continue. Long story short: It is going well! And I plan to continue. But over the past year, I’ve also gotten a clearer sense of what’s interesting and sustainable for me as a writer, and what (I think) is of interest to you as readers.
So, I’m making a few changes to the paid subscription offerings. Moving forward, I’ll be retiring my blurb-y recommendations of shows to see (aka Danceletter Picks) and building on the Danceletter Convos series I started in July. Beginning in September, you’ll receive, once a month, an interview with a dancer, choreographer, teacher, curator, or someone else involved in the dance / performance world. In “picks” spirit, these posts will still include a few events I think you should have on your radar, but in even briefer form. Dance List, which goes to all subscribers, will continue unchanged.
One of the best parts of my job is just talking to people, and there are always so many people I want to talk to. I’m excited to explore using this space as an outlet for that. While publishing an interview is a lot more involved than writing blurbs (although blurb-writing can take a strangely long time), for me it’s a more satisfying format to work in, and I hope this translates into something just as satisfying to read.
Continuing with this project, and allowing it to evolve, would not be possible without the support of paying subscribers. Thank you, as always, for being here. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be sharing something new very soon that was a goal of mine for this first year. Your support has been essential to making it happen. Stay tuned!
Inspired by Lauren Halvorsen in a recent edition of her newsletter Nothing for the Group, I also want to take this opportunity to note that if a time comes when you need to cancel your paid subscription, I will not take it personally. I recognize that especially in the arts, many of us have shifting and unpredictable financial situations. Also, if the news of this change in subscription offerings has you thinking, “Wait, that’s not quite what I signed up for,” I am happy to provide a prorated refund; just write to me at danceletter@substack.com with “subscription” in the subject line.
For this (the final!) edition of Danceletter Picks, I’m highlighting a few events that make these languid last weeks of August feel like not such a lull; there are some real gems out there this month. For more August events, see Dance List 11, which includes some recent updates.