The Sidewalk Ballet Field Guide

The Sidewalk Ballet Field Guide is a growing collection of people, organizations, projects, books, ideas and ongoing conversations about cities and the people who shape them. It grows out of the podcast, but extends well beyond it—connecting the people doing the work, the places where it’s happening, and the ideas, experiments and resources worth carrying forward. Think of it as part reference library, part trail of breadcrumbs: a way to follow the conversation wherever it leads.

Explore by type, browse alphabetically or by date, or search for something specific. Follow the tags to discover connections—or explore the map to see where the people, projects and ideas in the Field Guide take us.

Chip Chip 7/19/26 Chip Chip 7/19/26

Don Lane

Don Lane is a longtime Santa Cruz civic leader, educator, and advocate whose work spans downtown recovery, housing and homelessness, local government, and community development. A three-time mayor, his decades of public service reflect the unusually interconnected nature of civic life in Santa Cruz.

Chip Chip 6/15/26 Chip Chip 6/15/26

Coop’s Soup

Coop's Soups is a community-focused social enterprise and ministry founded by pastor Cristin Cooper in Olney, Maryland. It uses locally sourced, vegan, and gluten-free soups packaged in reusable mason jars to fight loneliness, build local connections, and support a participatory dinner church gathering known as Soup Church.

Chip Chip 6/2/26 Chip Chip 6/2/26

Charlotte Massey

Community builder and entrepreneur leading the Seattle Chamber of Connection, creating programs and shared experiences designed to strengthen belonging, relationships, and civic connection across the city.

Chip Chip 4/28/26 Chip Chip 4/28/26

Sarah Luca

Sarah Luca is an urbanist and community builder who served as chair of the board of Jane’s Walk, the global movement of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by the work and ideas of Jane Jacobs.