Editor’s Page

Welcome to the Fall, 2020 issue of the Promenader—a quarterly publication of the Rochester Area Federation of Round and Square Dance Clubs. (squaredancingrochester.org)

In this issue

The “Photos & Features” section of this issue includes articles on the various ways that clubs are dealing with COVID-19 risks as the pandemic continues. Some are gathering on Zoom to chat or dance. Some are holding picnics and other outdoor gatherings. Others are dancing on very limited terms.

Other articles in this issue look forward to the time when we can get back on the dance floor together again. We present the results of the dancer survey that was completed by nearly 250 dancers in our area. Dancer attitudes are the most important factor in how our return unfolds.

RAF presidents Jeff and Debbie Blood announce formation of a group to be known as the “Return to Dance” task force. Their role will be to ensure that dancers, club leaders and area callers have a chance to work together to coordinate our restart, and to envision the possibilities for attracting new dancers in the post-COVID world.

Regarding the future of square dancing in our area, the unexpected COVID halt provides an opportunity to think about new possibilities. We present an article by caller Gene Turner with some ideas to consider.

Be sure to look in the Federation section to read the President’s Corner message from new RAF presidents, Jeff and Debbie Blood. By the way, we should all give Jeff and Debbie an extra dose of thank-yous this year, since the COVID-19 virus chose their term to shut down social activities.

Club News

Club news in this issue is very limited, since many clubs have suspended activities during the COVID-19 pause.

Fall Dancing

With most dance venues not allowing gatherings of outsiders, it’s unlikely that there will be much dancing until mid-winter at the earliest. Some clubs have sent hopeful schedules, which we have posted in the calendar database. But before showing up at any particular event, it will be best to look at our Breaking News listings (on the RAF Home page: squaredancingrochester.org) and to check with club leaders if there is any doubt.

RAF Website—Breaking News section

With all dance schedules torpedoed by COVID-19, the “Breaking News” section on the RAF Home Page is our primary repository of up-to-date schedule information. When clubs notify Sidney Marshall (RAF Webmaster—sidneym@frontiernet.net) of a scheddule change or other short-notice announcement, he posts it immediately under a banner titled “Breaking News” on the RAF Home Page (squaredancingrochester.org).

For maximum distribution of their messages, clubs should also consider using the “SquareDancingRochester” Facebook page.

In Memoriam

In this issue we sadly say farewell to John McNeill, who danced with his wife, Sally, for many years, principally at Ekco Squares and Tecumseh Squares.

Editorial Comments

My own opinion is that the “all clear” is relatively far off—many months at least—and that the resumption of dancing will be gradual, as venues become available again and dancer confidence rises to the point where clubs reach viable numbers of willing dancers. But, until an effective vaccine is widely administered, there will still be a genuine risk of infection at indoor close-quarters gatherings—like dances. All it takes is one spreader at an event to make the overall statistics irrelevant.

I know there are many who are more optimistic than I am, and I truly hope that precautions taken as dancing resumes are effective at preventing outbreaks among our friends. Until enough of us are vaccinated, our collective behavior is our only COVID-19 defense.

Established dancers are motivated to return to the dance floor to reconnect with dancing friends and resume our healthy activity. But our ability to attract new dancers to join beginner classes will depend on public perceptions of the risk in social gatherings like ours. The COVID pause gives us an opportunity to re-think our approach to recruiting, and to teaching, and to the social and learning pathways we offer to new dancers entering our activity.

The “Return to Dance” task force described in the “Photos and Features” section was established in August by the RAF leadership. This group will address questions about dance resumption and about the promotion and re-establishment of classes. Their consideration will also extend to our teaching and dance program, drawing inspiration from dancers and callers in other parts of the country who are grappling with these same issues.

Quarterly Chuckle

How Smart Is Your Right Foot???

This is bizarre! How smart is your right foot? Just try this. It is from an orthopedic Surgeon …

This will boggle your mind and you will keep trying it over and over again to see if you can outsmart your right foot, but you can’t. It’s preprogrammed in your brain!

1. Without anyone watching you and while sitting where you are at your table or desk, in your kitchen or lounge, in front of your computer or wherever you are sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the numeral “6” in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

I told you so!!! And there’s nothing that you can do about it!

(My thanks to Gene Turner for this interesting tidbit!)

Peter Emmel, Promenader Editor