Hip to square, even 60 years later
Many square dance clubs have shut down for lack of members over the years, but the one in West Kelowna rolls on after six decades. Just don’t call it the West Kelowna club. The group is properly known as Westsyde Squares, an unusual spelling and one for which the reasons are lost to history.
“I guess the people who started the club just wanted to be different,” says president Lynda Bjalek.
The club’s 50 current members, as well as dozens of former ones, recently marked the group’s diamond anniversary with a celebration at the Westbank United Church hall.
There used to be 15 square dance clubs in the Okanagan, but the only ones remaining are Westsyde, Penticton, Vernon and Enderby.
“My thought on (the reason for) that is there’s just so many things for people to do, compared to the olden days,” Bjalek said. “It’s too bad, because square dancing is such a good activity for both the brain and body.
“It’s great exercise, fabulous recreation and good stress relief, but you also have to listen to the caller and do what you’re told to do, which isn’t always that easy for us adults,” Bjalek said with a laugh.
Most of the dancers are retirees, who’ve either been square dancing for decades or have taken it up late in life for the fun, fitness and fellowship the activity offers, Bjalek said.
There are a couple of clubs in the Vancouver area that cater to teens and 20-somethings, however, with a focus on competitive dancing that seems to draw the interest of younger people.
Although the Westsyders came close to folding a few years ago, the club has been invigorated with new “Learn to Dance” programs and the energetic direction of Dustin McGifford, a professional musician and music teacher.
About half the current Westysders live in Kelowna, with Bjalek travelling from Rutland to Westbank to take part in the regular Wednesday night dancing.
The Westsyders will try to increase their membership with a special event in January in which current dancers are invited to bring a friend. There’s also an ongoing outreach program, with club member Brian Elmer visiting elementary schools to teach a few dance steps to youngsters.
Those particular recruitment efforts, Bjalek acknowledges, are likely to be a long-term endeavour.
“We might not see them at the club for a while,” she says. “But when they’re ready to join, we’ll be here.”