Greetings dear Earthdance community. Some of you might have noticed some changes underfoot with our newsletter and our event promotions. We’ve been undertaking some changes in how we communicate with our community via these emails. The newsletter had been getting longer and longer over time as Earthdance emerged from being shuttered during the pandemic, and we’ve also now been making marketing partnerships with some of our rental groups, so both our news sections and programming sections were increasingly getting filled to the brim. And so, going forward, the Score (our regular newsletter) will only include news and updates about Earthdance and the community - a streamlined way to keep abreast of what’s happening at Earthdance and updates which concern the entire community. As well, we’ll now be putting out a seperate monthly programming summary, sharing all the wonderful events happening at Earthdance in the coming months. In addition, there will continue to be intermittent emails highlighting certain programs and promotional opportunities. And finally, with the help of graphic designer Agustina Siffredi, we’ve been working on re-branding the aesthetics of our marketing output, with new graphics and color schemes already being implemented here and elsewhere. Much appreciation to everyone who helps with the creation of these newsletters, and to our wider community for remaining curious and invested in what is ever unfolding here at Earthdance.

- Christos Galanis, Editor of The Score

ON MORALS AND MONEY:

Last autumn we were approached by the East Coast Tantra Festival (ECTF) to see if we would be open to hosting their next event during the summer of 2025 as the Camp Timber Trails venue they had been using wasn’t working so well for them. We had a number of in-person and virtual meetings with Eugene Heglund, the main organizer, and his team. Within a week or two we had signed a $30,000 contract for them to take one of our prime summer time slots. We were excited about hosting this event as a number of Earthdance Community members had described the ECTF as very sweet, and were of course thrilled with finding such a large rental that we thought would become a regular yearly event.

Everything seemed fine until a few months later a women reached out inquiring why we had decided to rent to ECTF while we had only a year ago said no to a rental inquiry by the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) due to concerns around the culture of consent within their organization and many outstanding allegations of sexual assault. I was surprised as we had not previously heard any complaints around ECTF or the organizers. Neither had we researched a lot about them, as they were coming from running regular events at CTT, an organization whose values we believe align well with our own.

I asked the woman if she would be willing to share with me what she knew about the ECTF organization and from there the ball started rolling. She shared her own traumatic experiences with Eugene Heglund and connected me to a number of other women who had directly experienced consent violations and abuse at his hands. They also shared a number of different published articles and resources where he was being accused of assault and a lack of integrity and accountability. My initial instinct was to see if we could set up some type of restorative process. After having spoken more to these women and hearing about the multiple failed attempts of just such processes it became clear that there really was only one way forward.

I communicated to Eugene that given the situation we were no longer comfortable hosting ECTF at Earthdance and that we would be returning their deposit. This led to a number of threats of legal action directed both at us for the possible loss of income and at the women who spoke out for defamation and interference with a signed contract. With some community legal advice and with support from the Board we decided it was worth the risk and would move forward in cancelling their contract. As this was becoming clear to Eugene he made a proposition.

What would we do if he would handover the event to his collaborators and cut all ties to the ECTF? This seemed like an interesting idea as we had heard good things about the ECTF community and event itself and could for sure use the income and energy around such a large rental. I managed to convince our Board to allow me to explore this option and to enter into negotiations with the three women who would supposedly be taking over the event from Eugene. 

I was clear that for this to work we would need the following: Any references to Eugene Heglund to be removed from any front facing communications (e.g. website, flyers, social media); A commitment that Eugene would not show up or participate in any way in this year’s event; an agreement that all backend ties (e.g. Ticketing system, domain name, legal liability)  to Eugene would be cut after running this first edition. It seemed like we were on our way to reach an agreement with these women and that the community would have their festival and that we would be able to keep the contract while still holding strongly to our values and Earthdance’s commitment to build a culture of consent and care where accountability and repair are central. 

Sadly enough all was not as it seemed. While we had been negotiating Eugene had apparently had a change of heart and was no longer interested in passing on his creation. We found out that while we had been exploring a potential collaboration with his organizers he had been negotiating with CTT behind our back and that they were welcoming them back for their event. I reached out to them to share about our process with Eugene and to provide them with a fuller picture around all of the outstanding consent violations and abuse of power claims. After more careful consideration the CTT board of directors in the end decided not to welcome the ECTF back with all of the financial implications that this represents.

As small arts organizations it’s often not easy to balance the budget and passing up on a $30.000,- was definitely not something that we’ve been holding lightly. At the same time a clarity around what we are wanting to bring into this world and who we are wanting to provide a platform for has made the choice easier. I feel proud of our wider community as well for upholding these ethical standards. We are now however left with a beautiful empty spot in our calendar right in the middle of summer from the 12th to the 18th of August, so if you or anyone you know might feel a call to book Earthdance for those dates even if it’s for something small that would be Amazing. I’m also happy to share that while we’re no longer working with Eugene Heglund we are now in contact with some of his former associates and are exploring them renting Earthdance for a smaller tantra offering in the autumn.

May the spring and summer bring the abundance we hope for!

- Daniel J. Hayes, Executive Director

HELP US BUILD AND REBUILD: STRENGTHEN EARTHDANCE FROM THE GROUND UP

At Earthdance, we’re literally working from the ground up. This spring, our beloved Umbrella Barn - heart of our community gatherings and movement magic - required emergency structural support. After almost 4 decades of holding us all, its foundation finally needed urgent reinforcement.

At the same time, new beginnings are arriving: our first Tiny Houses for the Wexer Housing Project are here! But before they can become homes, they need solid, lasting foundations to rest on. Old roots. New growth. Both need support.

We’re reaching out to our extended Earthdance family to help us raise the funds we need to complete these essential foundation projects. Your contribution ensures that the places we gather, dance, and live continue to be safe, strong, and sustainable.

Let’s build the future together—one solid foundation at a time. This Go Fund Me will be active until Summer Jam. Please join us and we can sign the new support beams together.

SHOUT-OUTS FOR SUPPORT WITH THE UMBRELLA BARN

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of the emergency repairs of the umbrella barn support beams. A special shout-out to Paul(Poogly), whose leadership, time and commitment have been the driving force behind this project. 

Here is a note of gratitude from Paul:

Our heartfelt thanks go to Eric Huether, the mastermind behind the design—your creativity and vision have been instrumental. Ryan Smart deserves a huge shout-out as well; he’s been our engine, willing to get dirty and keep the project moving at full speed, all on a volunteer basis because of his love for Earthdance.

Joseph has shown quiet but unwavering commitment, tackling tasks even when the weather was less than ideal. Sarah Caputi generously volunteered herself as a work exchanger, fearlessly diving into the dungeon without hesitation. Adama stepped up to demo one of the beams and took the initiative to finish the job without me—your help was invaluable! Cale Isreal, a giant in a tiny cave, put himself to the task with enthusiasm. And Victor and Joseph, thank you for finishing up the projects I left incomplete— and thank you as always to Stephen Yoshen for creating this beautiful mess we call home.

A SPRINGTIME GARDEN UPDATE FROM NEAL WECKER

“April is the cruelest month, T.S. Eliot wrote, by which I think he meant (among other things) that springtime makes people crazy” - Barbara Kingsolver

April 12, we had an evening of fresh snow. Today, April 28th, the spring and early summer gardens are fully sown and it’s 71 degrees. That’s crazy-making!

I was born in New England, raised playing in my grandfather’s garden of abundant fruit trees, flowers and vegetables. I remember the colors, scents and textures of all seasons then and there, and I remember the fresh glow of spring the most. Throughout my life, I’ve built a few gardens of similar delights. From California to Switzerland, spring remains the most seductive of seasons.

Spring has always meant submitting my desires to Her non-negotiable pace! She decides when the roar of March is enough. Only she decides when to call back the massive bio activity of the fields and forests from dormancy. She decides when the soul of the garden can again be the embodied home of the gardener’s purpose, passion, and interdependence. I may wield the spade, but She says when!

I strive to approach gardening more like a romantic tryst with the seasons; admittedly, sometimes it feels more like a combative struggle for control. Regardless of all my winter’s planning and compulsive expectations of success, Spring’s willingness, generosity and arousing beauty soothes my demanding soul and requests surrender. My awe of Spring’s regal charm and redemptive beauty feels as innocent now as it did in my childhood while in my grandfather’s garden. Wishing us all seasons of fresh food, clean living, just prosperity and sustainable peace wherever it be needed most!

EARTHDANCE GARDEN: 2ND SUNDAY COMMUNITY WORK DAY

And if you’re inspired to connect with our garden in a direct way, please join us for our monthly Garden Community Work Days:

Hosted by Neal and Shosei, come and connect with the Earthdance community. Learn about sustainable gardening, share in the abundance, and help us continue building and maintaining the Earthdance garden vision. Join any time between 10am - 5pm. Come get your hands in the soil…then jam!

All are welcome! Tasks may include a wide range of typical garden tasks: bed making, planting, weeding, compost turning, harvesting. No tools necessary, just you in outdoor workwear willing to work and get a little dirty!

“One of the most important resources that a garden makes available for use, is the gardener’s own body. A garden gives the body the dignity of working in its own support”. – Wendell Berry

KIDS' PROGRAM FOR SUMMER JAM

Dear Earthdancers, Have you ever thought of being part of our community from a different standpoint? Do you love kids and facilitating activities? Here’s your chance to join the Kids’ Program staff team 2025! You would work from 9am until 1pm for 5 mornings of the jam (you get one morning off!) in exchange for a free jam. Please tell us about you and how you could contribute in this application form. Jump on this great opportunity early because we’d like to complete our team sooner than later. We’re looking forward to hearing about you!"

WATCH THE VIDEO OF OUR COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY

Welcome to the recording of our first Community Assembly, which was held on March 25th, 2025. The assembly featured staff, board members, and committee members, as well as a few longtime committed community members, who shared updates of the current state of things at Earthdance within their domain, as well as an overview of how we're doing financially and structurally, as well as upcoming initiatives, transitions, and projects. If you want to get a handle on the state of things at Earthdance, this is a great 90 minute summary!

EARTHDANCE JOINS THE FAMILY FOREST CARBON PROGRAM: A STEP TOWARDS LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL STEWARDSHIP

We’re excited to share that Earthdance has officially joined the Family Forest Carbon Program, a nationally recognized initiative that supports small landowners in enhancing forest health while fighting climate change. Through this partnership, we’ll be implementing sustainable forestry practices designed to increase carbon storage and improve ecosystem resilience on our land.

As part of the program, we’ve committed to the “Enhance Your Woodland (NE)” practice across nearly 99 acres. In return, Earthdance will receive scheduled incentive payments totaling over $23,000 over the next 20 years—support that directly funds forest stewardship, habitat preservation, and climate action.

This long-term investment aligns with Earthdance’s mission to live in harmony with the land, deepening our responsibility to future generations. Stay tuned as we share more about how this work will unfold on our land and within our programming!

 Share This Email with a Friend

Manage Your Mailing List Preferences

Unsubscribe