Downtown Douro Dances draw the young and old to St. Joseph’s hall
Fifth year of the series kicks off Saturday with performance by Hunt The Hare
DOURO — The Downtown Douro Dances aren’t a secret, but being in the know helps.
For the last four years, St. Joseph’s Parish Hall in Douro has filled up mostly on word of mouth.
The dance committee promotes through local event pages and uses social media to some extent, but it’s typically friendly chit chat that gets the word around.
The 2018 season kicks off Saturday with Hunt The Hare, a traditional and modern Celtic band. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and tickets are $10 at the door.
Typically, the dance committee hosts four dances a year, all featuring live music from regional performers. (There’s also homemade snacks and goodies, plus a cash bar, too).
Artists such as Melissa Payne, Fiddleheads, Soul Shrine, Rye Streets and The Double Cuts have played in the past.
In 2014, a group of Douro natives came together to start a new event in their community for young adults.
Although they didn’t have a specific plan in mind, the idea for dances eventually emerged.
Greg Holland and Bernard Leahy are both committee members.
Anywhere from 70 to 150 people turn up, ranging in age from teenagers to seniors, the organizers say.
A photo from a dance in the first year shows a 19-year-old and an 80-year-old sharing the dance floor.
“I remember seeing that and saying that’s perfect, that’s exactly what we wanted,” Holland said.
Although the events are allages, the little ones are often tucked into bed before the party really gets started, Holland said.
The biggest group to attend is usually the teens, who don’t saunter in until a bit later.
“They show up at about 11 p.m. and bring the life and energy,” Leahy said smiling.
And that’s what it’s all about, really.
“It’s a safe environment, in their own community, so they don’t have to go into Peterborough to go to an event,” Leahy said.
“You find so often to have to leave Douro to do anything … so it’s great to be able to do something here,” Holland added.
Leading up to a dance, Leahy’s wife sends out an email saying what food is still needed (sandwiches, fruits and veggies or desserts) and community members dig into their own pockets to contribute.
Funds from ticket sales go towards \operational costs – though last year’s Halloween dance was so busy, the committee directed some money to the Strong Heart campaign for the Hospital for Sick Children.
After four years running, Leahy said he often still hears the same feedback he’s heard all along.
“When’s the next event?” he said laughing.