Thanks to everyone who came out to support DanceSport BC’s City Centre Summer Dance event on August 21-22. The response was excellent.
Good sized crowds showed up Friday evening, though not as crazily jam-packed as typical Robson Square Friday night events in the past. This meant couples could actually move on the dance floor!
Saturday afternoon was a huge success, with great weather. Large crowds gathered for key events, then went their separate ways, followed by new crowds forming for the next demo. An estimated 2,000 people took in various parts of the event over the weekend.
Andrew Miller, chair of the event, reported that during his lunch break in a nearby cafe, he heard an animated discussion at another table about the “world-class ballroom dancing happening over at the art gallery.” Well done to everyone involved!
We especially appreciate the many volunteers who worked tirelessly Friday afternoon, Saturday morning and again on Saturday evening to set up and take down the facility. Thanks to the many demo couples who delighted the audience with their skills — they represented all age groups from Juvenile to Senior III. It was especially exciting because of the very slight slope to the floor which made spins and balancing so much more difficult. Thanks to the teachers: Zillion Wong and Sarah Liang, Murray Schellenberg, and Joel Marasigan and Clara Shih, who volunteered their time to provide the free dance lessons. We would also like to recognize coaches Kyryl Dudchenko and Roland Michtchenko who provided a contingent of Juvenile and Junior couples for the performance demos.
The Summer Dance was made possible by a Direct Access Grant from the Province of BC. The conditions of the grant required us to use the funds for an event similar in structure to our Robson Square Summer Dance Series. We are pleased to report that the grant covered all the expenditures for the event.
June 30th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Good Morning,
My friend & I were thinking about taking these dance lessons. Were you able to find another location for them? Are they still Friday nights? What time? Any other info you could provide us with would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Tracy
July 7th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Please place my name on your contact list of dances at Robson Square or elsewhere in Vancouver.
I miss the Robson Square dances and really hope that they resume!
With thanks, Enda
July 8th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Hello Robson Square Enthusiasts,
Thanks for your comments. The Robson Square DSBC Team is working hard to make Robson Square happen this year. With the ice rink still under construction, we will not be able to use it again this summer. We have looked at other alternate sites but suitable outdoor venues with covers are non-existent. We have just recently confirmed the outdoor area in front of the Art Gallery on the West Georgia side downtown. Although still in the planning stage, the proposed dates are FRIDAY, 21 AUG 09 in the evening and SATURDAY, 22 AUG 09 in the afternoon, 2 consecutive days. Running Robson Square at this new venue is a big production as we have to bring in a dance floor and tent, set-up and take-down will each take more than 2-3 hours assuming we have 10 able and willing volunteers to help. This is the latest information we have at this time. Please check back for updates.
If you wish to subscribe to our email list please do so from the home page on our website and you will be sent our monthly e-newsletter.
Regards,
Pinky Wong
President, DanceSport BC
July 19th, 2009 at 9:49 am
I live in the states (USA) and often found myself traveling up for the Robson Square dances. always an excellent atmosphere, nice people and a great variety of talent. Looking forward to the dance in August. Appreciate your efforts!!
July 20th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Great news – Summer Dance in a place of Robson Square on AUGUST 21 and 22, at Art Gallery Square, two days for free. Thanks a lot from MR DANCE friends. Join us at Astorino’s Hall every Sunday and Tuesday for more ballroom, latin and social dancing.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Thanks DSBC for organizing this event and everyone who involved in making it happened this year. I am looking forward for it to return again next year.
September 4th, 2009 at 11:06 am
I’m so happy to finally see a public summer ballroom dancing series back in Downtown Vancouver! Friday nights in the summer used to be a highlight of my week, and I was sad to see it stopped when the renovations began on the skating rink. Performing this year at the event brought back many great memories which I’m sure a lot of us have.
I was able to snap a few photos (including the ones seen in this article) during the teaching and demos in between my own rounds. You can view the photos by going to the following link: http://bydm.ca/portfolio/dance/robson2009/
May 31st, 2010 at 9:44 am
I have heard a rumour that Robson Square dancing is back on Fridays in this Summer 2010. Is that correct? I hope so because I missed it so much – I missed seeing all my friends. Can you tell me when it starts please?