Guest Post by Jo Hoffberg.
Dance with your favorite instructors and raise money at the same time!
Have you ever participated in a taxi dance? Taxi dances a great way to raise money for a good cause–like for the Frankie Manning Foundation–and they’re always a lot of fun for everyone involved.
The basic premise is that you can purchase a dance with a specific tax dancer and the money will go towards the promoted cause. Dances are $X/dance and all proceeds will go to ABC!
Obviously, you’ll have to figure out how much each dance is ($X) and where it will go (choose an organization).
The taxi dancers might be volunteers, your local teachers, scene leaders, special guests, or visiting instructors.
How to Organize a Taxi Dance
Designate a time and place where the taxi dance will happen. Post it on your website, social media, and at the event location.
Have your DJ create a set list of songs that are 3 minutes or less and between 140-180bmp. They should look for songs that any level of student would be comfortable dancing to.
Confirm your list of volunteers and give them their time slot. If you have a lot of volunteers then perhaps 30 minute blocks are sufficient. Clarify this with your volunteers BEFORE their shifts start.
Have volunteers to collect money and log who wishes to dance with whom.
Rope off an area where the taxi dancers will dance. Have enough space so that they can dance comfortably. Not only are people donating to support a cause, but they’re also getting access to a “less crowded” dance floor.
Have a place for the dancers to sit while they wait. This can either be for the volunteer taxi dancer or the customer who is next in line.
Have a most excellent time!
Jo Hoffberg spends her life traveling the world spreading jazz culture through vintage partner dancing and has taught and performed in 25 countries across 5 continents. She teaches vernacular jazz, lindy hop, ladies’ only workshops, run teacher training in Europe and the States, as well as a performance/choreography weekend. She is a passionate and avid dancer, instructor and competitor. Visit her at johoffberg.com.
