I am leaving Chicago for gorgeous San Francisco .

It has been a wonderful three years here! So many fabulous companies here in Chicago, and I’ll miss them all.

CDMA has many great things coming its way. I have every bit of confidence the next E.D. will be stellar and will lead the organization to big, wonderful things!

Second, Cultural Network Luncheon April 3rd at Field Museum.   This is going to be a GREAT one, so RVSP today to leigh.fagin@cityofchicago.org.

Hope everyone’s doing well in spite of the dreary weather……keep dancin’ and singin’ and playin’!

Mr. Giordano was a tremendous influence in the world of jazz dance…both in Chicago and across the world.

His company,  Evanston’s Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, is one of the foremost jazz dance companies in the United States.
He will truly be missed.

Well, here’s one idea: Sherwood Symphony is having a concert this Sunday at 2:00! Might wanna check that our if you’re in the South Loop that afternoon.

The University of Chicago always has a ton going on,too! Might want to check out the Tallis Scholars . They’re back by popular demand!

I can’t list it ALL here, of course…but this gives you two options in two different neighborhoods! Of course, there is plenty to do in the ‘burbs as well!

I am sorry to have missed Music on Stage‘s ” Crazy For You”, but they just posted audition information for “Annie Get Your Gun”. Auditions will take place next Sunday and Monday at Cutting Hall in Palatine. Click on their name for more info!

Take heart if classical music or musical theatre ain’t your thing: if you don’t fall into a certain category , why not come to the Chicago auditions for “America’s Got Talent” , also next Sunday the 16th and Monday the 17th?

Will favorite judge  “The Hoff ” be there to have his say? Only one way to find out!

I wanna let you know about a new feature we’ll soon be adding to our website: “CDMA Quick Picks”.  This page will be sort of like an “Angie’s List”, where we (“we” being myself and CDMA Board!) will list useful names and websites of venues, consultants, grantwriters, webdesigners, etc…etc…..we’re excited!

As E.D. of the Alliance, I get asked: “do you know where I can find someone who..” a LOT. So, why not put it all in one place so you can see who is “CDMA Approved”?

Kinda like the Good Housekeeping Seal. But not.

Was a GREAT brown bag lunch today. We chatted with CDMA’s website designer, Christy Zurcher, and got her expert tips on how we can all maximize our visibility on the internet.

So, what sort of things did we talk about? Lots! First of all- wow. Ya really gotta keep current if you want to stay ahead of the game (hence why I got this blog for us- I wanted to be a part of 2008!). YouTube, Myspace, Facebook: do arts organizations benefit from all these? I always wondered. Granted, CDMA itself does not have any YouTube videos to share (though you could watch me typing away at a grant proposal or two. That’s excitement!), and I kinda let our Myspace page die (I forgot we had it!).

BUT, if I walked away with one important thing from this brown bag- it’s to update, update, UPDATE! Update this blog, update our SITE, and don’t let your Myspace die. Network! Any link you can get on the ‘net is a good link. So, do whatever it takes to get your own organization out there. Consider link trades with other dance and music groups, service organizations, etc.

Hoping you’ll consider joining us at our brown bag next month when it gets warmer out there (we hope!) . Stay tuned for location, date, time, and topic!

As many of you know, we’ve got our Illinois Arts Council apps due 3/17…..yes, St. Paddy’s day. Just a friendly reminder!

CDMA also has a brown bag lunch scheduled for this Thursday at 11:30 at Columbia College. Hope to see ya there!

Lakeside Pride will be presenting the works of black classical composers this Monday the 18th at 7:00 at the Hoover Leppen Theatre. VERY cool! They have an amazing program planned.

The Downers Grove Choral Society will be performing at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove next weekend, and Camerata Chicago will be performing at St. Michael’s Church in Wheaton next Sunday. Of course, there are a zillion other performances to catch this time of year…you really can’t go wrong no matter WHAT you pick!

It may also be a good time to stay in and write some grants,  no? Just got word that Illinois Arts Council apps are due 3/17.  Be sure to check out their site at http://www.state.il.us/agency/iac/ to download your app!

I’m very excited to be starting this blog for the Chicago Dance and Music Alliance.

Some of you may know that we send out an e-newsletter 1-2 times a week to our membership.

Sometimes, though, we get word of a special audition, performance, award, etc. last minute and we really want to share it with everyone- so that is what this blog is for!

Plus, we’ll want to share the scoop on our member events, performances, and other  things going on in Chicago arts.

We hope you’ll read this blog often!