In January of 2024, Rhythm Relief is undertaking an effort to raise funds to aid swing dance community members affected by the Los Angeles fires.
In May of 2020, Rhythm Relief was created by Nick Williams in cooperation with PSDF to provide financial support to members of the swing dance community affected by COVID-19. In May of 2021, we decided to make the Rhythm Relief Fund a permanent program of Pacific Swing Dance Foundation—it’s clear to us that our community needs ways to raise and distribute financial support when disaster strikes. When you contribute to Rhythm Relief, your money is used to make grants to members of the swing dance community when they need financial help and to maintain the capability to respond in special circumstances. A portion of the funds—between 10% and 30%—are also used to help PSDF pay for the administrative expenses of a non-profit business. Those expenses cover things like accounting and financial compliance, paying administrative staff, IT expenses, etc.
Nick Williams, in partnership with the Pacific Swing Dance Foundation, is throwing a spectacular live-stream swing show coming straight to your home. The purpose of the benefit show is to raise money for full-time swing dance instructors and full-time musicians who have been financially hit by Covid-19. The money raised in the show will compensate the performers for their time, and all additional funds raised will go to a fund for dancers and musicians. Any full-time dancer or musician will be able to apply for the funds we raise through PSDF.
Complete details are available at our Rhythm Relief page.
Patrons at or above the $50 level will receive an enamel pin from Pacific Swing Dance Foundation.
My heart goes out to those in the community whose lives were disrupted by the wildfires. That sounds so stressful! I hope you all are able to find the support you need.
Sending love from Seattle. This cause is very close to our hearts, as several of our dear LA area dance friends have lost their homes and sense of security (even Cloudland Dance founder Lauren Smith’s family home was damaged in the fires.)
These funds were from our “Give a Little Love” Fundraiser Dance to help victims of the LA Fires. All admission fees and raffle tickets were donated to this cause. Organizers and teachers across the PNW generously donated amazing prizes for our raffle and helped us to raise far more than we anticipated.
Thank you to our raffle donors:
* Camp Jitterbug
* Swingin’ by the Sound
* Lindy Bloom
* Vancouver Mini Balfest
* Century Ballroom
* T-Town Swing
* Swing It
* Lowdown Ballroom
* Theresa Manney
* Elaine Buchagnini
* Ben White
* Peter Flahiff
* Lauren Smith
Donating because I am an Altadena fire survivor, too. Times are difficult.
These funds were raised by selling art prints and stickers from artists Shelly Liu, Bobby Sassone and Andy Perrin.
A big thank you to LindyGroove who offered free admission for anyone who purchased art, and to anyone who bought a sticker or print from us!
From our fundraiser dance for you!
I met my spouse swing dancing and sooo many friends. It’s the musicians, dancers, organizers, volunteers that make this community wonderful. My heart goes out to those affected by the fire.
Atomic Ballroom Fundraiser 1/31
Jason Hammons and I host a free/donation-based social dance about once a quarter called Variety Stomp. We held one on February 1, 2025–the donation herein is made on behalf of all those attendees who donated at that event 😀
Sending love from Seattle!