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.
Cristin Cooper
Rev. Cristin Cooper is a pastor, chef, entrepreneur, and founder of Coop’s Soups, a social enterprise that grew from her experiments gathering neighbors around soup and bread as an unconventional form of ministry. Her work uses food, hospitality, and everyday encounters to build relationships, combat loneliness, and create a deeper sense of belonging and community.
Cary Tyson
Cary Tyson is Executive Director of Portland Downtown, the nonprofit organization working to strengthen the vitality of downtown Portland, Maine. A longtime leader in downtown and place management, his work brings together economic development, advocacy, events, public-space activation, and partnerships that support local businesses while reinforcing downtown as the civic, cultural, and economic heart of the community.
Josh Yeager
Josh Yeager is a founder and principal at Bright Brothers Strategy Group and has been an active champion of the Urban District Place Management world and a vocal advocate for great places and great people.
Josh has been a guest and a guest host on Sidewalk Ballet and brings a depth and breadth of experience in making great places.
BIG Creative Consulting
BIG Creative Consulting works at the intersection of culture, place, and community, helping organizations and communities create stronger, more connected places through strategy, placemaking, engagement, and creative programming.