Starting Wednesday, the Clark County Department of Parks and Recreation will have a second van hitting local streets to bring more driveway dance parties to Southern Nevada residents who are enjoying the popular program as part of the “In It Together SNV” initiative. Hours of operation also are changing to two shifts – 10 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, to avoid the hottest part of the day.
To boost community spirits and provide a burst of exercise and stress relief, the Department’s Parks and Recreation staff is bringing socially-distanced driveway dance parties to local neighborhoods as staffing and resources permit. The driveway dance parties are part of the In It Together Southern Nevada initiative organized by Clark County and partnering jurisdictions and agencies to highlight local efforts to support each other in response to the COVID-19 pandemic using the website www.InItTogetherSNV.com.
“The dance mobile program has been a big hit in our community and we are happy to get another van out on the streets to bring as many dance parties to our residents as possible,” said Clark County Commission Vice Chairman Lawrence Weekly, who hosted a dance party last week in Marble Manor and is doing a similar event called “Party on the Porch” with DJ Benzo at 5:30 p.m. tonight in Sherman Gardens and Berkeley Square. “It’s a great way to have fun, get a little exercise, and educate people about the need to stay safe as we weather coronavirus together.”
The vans come equipped with a public address system, a DJ and some accompanying staff. During visits, a song or two is played and residents are encouraged to wave to their neighbors and show off their dance moves all while staying home and maintaining a safe distance apart. Residents can step outside their front doors to their porches, patios or front yards, or stay inside and join in by demonstrating support through their living room windows.
After the first driveway dance party debut with Commissioner Weekly on April 27, the In It Together SNV website received more than 100 requests within a few hours as a result of postings on local news websites and social media. Staff is still working through the backlog of requests and expects to be able to take more requests soon. When staff is ready to schedule more visits, an online request form will be posted on the dance mobile page of the In It Together SNV website. Requesting residents must provide the address of a driveway in a hosting neighborhood and contact information. Song requests also can be made. Residents will receive an email confirming the date and time of their dance party. Residents who coordinate visits with neighbors on the same or adjoining streets are given priority to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the activity.
During visits, the dance mobile parks briefly in a safe spot on a neighborhood street or driveway and plays music and move on. Residents are asked to stay on their own property while enjoying the activity and not follow the van as it moves through a neighborhood. Participating neighborhoods are encouraged to share videos and photos with the In It Together SNV website or post them on social media sites using campaign hashtags #InItTogetherSNV and #StayStrong.
The In It Together SNV website also offers online community resources related to COVID-19 and is used by agencies coordinating the response to the outbreak to match volunteer opportunities and donation offers with organizations in need. Residents wishing to volunteer in the community’s response or to donate PPE, cleaning items and other supplies are encouraged to visit the Donations and Volunteer sections of the website. Online forms are posted on those pages to help manage requests and match people to needs and opportunities.
Additionally, photos and stories of locals doing inspiring things to in response to COVID-19 can be emailed to the website for sharing on its “In It Together Highlights & Submissions” page at ContactUs@InItTogetherSNV.com.
Tips on the site also offer different ways people can help the community stay strong through the pandemic. Suggestions include familiar hygiene tips such as hand washing and social distancing. Other ideas include sending thank you notes to healthcare workers and first responders, checking on neighbors who live alone, and supporting a local business by ordering takeout or shopping for a friend, relative or neighbor.