Dance like nobody’s watching
Line dancing group keeping in step while maintaining social distancing
BLACK ROCK — They dance like nobody’s watching.
And, lately, members of a small group of rural Cape Breton women are doing their dancing at home as they adhere to public health regulations that include social distancing.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Rock line dancers met twice a week at the Big Bras d’Or fire hall for two hours of dance practice, fun and exercise. And, occasionally, they hit the road for live performances at places such as nursing homes.
With social gatherings presently banned, the group that includes Sheila Van Schaick has taken to the internet in order to keep in step with their latest routines.
“This is urban line dancing,” explains Van Schaick, adding that group members mostly hail form Boularderie Island with a couple tuning in from North Sydney.
“I’m not a country fan, I’m more into rock and roll, so this is a bit more modern than the old-style country line dancing — besides, none of us wear cowboy boots.”
She says there were about nine women who regularly participated in the Tuesday and Thursday evening dance practices at the fire hall. Most are now also taking part in the online version of the activity that is led by their regular instructor.
“We can’t see each other but we can see (dance leader) Jeanette’s feet when she’s showing us a brand new dance, but it’s really all about having fun and staying connected,” said Van Schaick, whose family operates the Big Bras d’Or-based Bird Island Boat Tours.
“We all love dancing, but we have a chat between each song so we get a chance to catch up which is very important because we have the need to connect. The time goes by really quick and before you know it, an hour or an hour and a half has gone by.”
Van Schaick said that while the shift to online activity is not original and has become commonplace during the COVID-19 outbreak, she believes her group’s online line dancing is yet another creative way to keep fit while maintaining relationships with friends. And she applauds all forms of creativity that have emerged lately in the effort to keep society connected.