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July 27, 2007
Hotfoot it down to the park
Summer dance sessions put a spring in the step of all ages, abilities.
FREEMAN PORITZ
Are you looking to learn something new this summer in an active
environment? Interested in getting acquainted with the basics of
dancing for free? Always wanted to try the waltz, but don't have
a partner? Looking to lace up your dancing slippers for one last
Highland fling? If you answered a resounding yes to any of the above
questions, then Dance at Dusk at Queen Elizabeth Park is for you.
I arrived fashionably late for the ballroom session on a Wednesday
night. I think it has to be something about being a young man who
relishes the opportunity to dance that strikes me as slightly bizarre.
My strict code of manhood didn't allow me to arrive on time, as
that would show over-eagerness. As I made my way over to the newly
renovated plaza, I heard Jean Wong's booming voice. "Cha-cha!"
she shouted, in a fierce Asian accent. I stopped in my tracks. Intimidated.
Fearful of what was coming next. She beckoned me, the new arrival,
over warmly. Within half an hour, I was doing the samba with the
best of them.
Dance at Dusk offers the perfect variety of summer dancing to attract
people of all age groups. It's free of charge, and the Queen Elizabeth
Park plaza provides an ideal venue for a large group of interested
dancers.
A veteran instructor, Wong has taught dancing for more than 20 years
and has been involved in Dance at Dusk for 15 years. "Regularly,
I run a day class at the Kerrisdale community centre. I mainly teach
private lessons," she said.
"I like every dance. I prefer ballroom dancing, but I think
it's important to know all dances. The newcomer to dancing should
do easier and more common dances, such as the foxtrot, waltz and
the cha-cha. Dance at Dusk has a different, positive, atmosphere.
Once a year, in the summertime, it's good for a change," she
added.
"I think that it's a really good opportunity to come out and
strut your stuff," said Richmond native Breanne Jackson, "and
I also think that it's really great to see a lot of people of diverse
ages and backgrounds come together and do [the] one thing we all
love to do, which is dancing."
Each evening focuses on a different style of dance. Monday nights
are designated for Scottish country dance with members of the Scottish
Country Dance Society. Tuesdays are reserved for international folk
dance, where you will be led in line and circle dances from all
over the world, including the Balkans, Scotland, Hungary and South
Africa. Wednesdays are for the more serious-minded ballroom dancers
who want to learn or brush up on dances such as the jive, the swing
and the foxtrot.
The Vancouver International Folk Dancers club has been involved
with Dance at Dusk for 25 years. Susan Pinkham is the club's president
and a regular attendee. "It [Dance at Dusk] is fun," she
said. "It's open to everybody – any age. You don't need
partners, and the dances are taught – a variety of dances from
around the world."
Ira Rotenberg, organizer of a Vancouver hiking group that promotes
active living and a love of the outdoors, said, "I've been
out twice [to Dance at Dusk]. I thought it was pretty good."
He described his jive as "not bad."
So, what are you waiting for, already? Pick up a new skill this
summer – get out there and tango!
Dance at Dusk takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Park Plaza, near
the main parking lot, on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:30
p.m., and on Tuesday evenings from 7-9:30 p.m., until Aug. 22. Enter
from Ontario/33rd. For more information, visit www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/arts/danceatdusk.htm.
For private lessons, call Jean Wong at 604-876-3778.
Freeman Poritz is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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