All Corona related issues

[IndyLady]

People seem to be succumbing to mask fatigue/rebellion around these parts. When I first returned to the studio, pretty much everyone was masked up, but nowadays, I'm practically in the minority.

The last studio event (mini-comp) I attended, by the time it was finished there was only one other student I saw in a mask. I was joking that we were the winners of "Mask Survivor". And a few people commented on it who saw event pictures I posted in social media.

Same with practice parties... the instructors wear masks, but only a handful of students (myself included) at my home studio are still sporting them. They are a bit more compliant at the other location where I attend party.

I don't attend in-person groups (primarily due to my schedule), but last week the studio announced they were going to start having certain group classes be "masks required". FWIW, our state technically still has a mask mandate, so let that one sink in.

And one of the virulently anti-mask students at my studio told me last week that she was hosting a giant retreat at her house (50+ people). So I'm awaiting the studio outbreak.

 

[Well Rounded]

People seem to be succumbing to mask fatigue/rebellion around these parts. When I first returned to the studio, pretty much everyone was masked up, but nowadays, I'm practically in the minority.

The last studio event (mini-comp) I attended, by the time it was finished there was only one other student I saw in a mask. I was joking that we were the winners of "Mask Survivor". And a few people commented on it who saw event pictures I posted in social media.

Same with practice parties... the instructors wear masks, but only a handful of students (myself included) at my home studio are still sporting them. They are a bit more compliant at the other location where I attend party.

I don't attend in-person groups (primarily due to my schedule), but last week the studio announced they were going to start having certain group classes be "masks required". FWIW, our state technically still has a mask mandate, so let that one sink in.

And one of the virulently anti-mask students at my studio told me last week that she was hosting a giant retreat at her house (50+ people). So I'm awaiting the studio outbreak.

I recently heard there were similar goings on at my studio. I beginning to think I won't be able to return to dance until vaccines are available and my SO, Aunt, Mother, etc. and I can get one.

 

[jjLA]

Elite Dancesport in Orange County is happening in two weeks. I'm not planning for it, but my understanding in talking with local pro's is that the Paramonov's are planning for a mask requirement.

This is from their online guidelines:
5) Will masks or face shield be required while dancing?-We will follow Goverment Guidlines on the day of the event, as things are changing rapidly. Nevetheless, we are asking all competitors to be prepaired dancing in face masks or shields.

California tends to be overall a bit more stringent on masks; however, Orange County not so much. Some dance studios have been good about requiring masks and others not so much. Compliance at the ones that do require it tends to be around 80% - 90%. Those that only "require it if one can't social distance" which to me sounds more as a legal cover, have compliance around 50% (and in actuality social distancing isn't really happening). I avoid those studios.

 

[lucia_l]

North American Imperial Star Ball has announced they will happen in November, 2020. This is near Chicago.

 

[Brummbaer]

So, a local Tango community has been hosting an outdoor milonga in the town square on Saturday nights. Walking distance from my house. I don't do AT, but I sometimes want to go just to watch, and say hi b/c I have dance friends in that scene.

Turns out: they partner-switch. Without masks. I know, it's outdoors. So?

Le sigh. Even if I did AT, I would not do it under these circumstances.

OMG
I don't think that's would be legal in the UK if that was inside. I would attend and participate in an open-air 'milonga' without partner changing and with distance between couples if we felt that they could be trusted. It wouldn't be a milonga in the usual sense without partner changing, but there's no way I'd consider other partners at the moment without something like a chemical-warfare suit, or some seriously better mask and other PPE. Face shields are useless on their own.

We do get a dance class within our 2m+ square with a fixed partner (=couple. Officially they have to be part of the agreed household 'bubble') within a large, well-ventilated, controlled access, room. Masks optional when participating, but mandatory in and out of building. No way is that a milonga, but I see the risk as sufficiently mitigated to enable us to live with it.

When/if the local infection numbers drop significantly again, and we survive, assuming effective treatment, useful and usable protection, testing and tracing, or safe and effective vaccine, then we can get back to the milongas as they were.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

You are right, I am a dancer! and we compete sometimes to win, to move up in standings, some dance to feel beautiful, to challenge themselves, to move to beautiful music, for the thrill of competition, to enjoy their partner and hundreds of very fulfilling reasons.

I’d love to hear more! It would be great to read posts from you in threads like “how are your lessons going” and “how are your practices going,” to learn about what you’re working on and how you’re dealing with the current social distancing restrictions present almost everywhere.

Other things I like hearing about (well, actually, pretty much everything dance-related) are how long someone has been dancing, how’d they first get into the sport, what styles they dance & what their favorites are, what background do they have (if any) in dancing or other sports, how they interact with their teacher/pro partner, how they prepare for comps, whether they prefer social or competitive dancing or both....and anything else they want to share, of course.

I suppose discussions on topics like those probably belong in other, non political threads. So FWIW, I hope to see posts from you popping up all over DF! **hugs**

 

[Danceisjoy]

I’d love to hear more! It would be great to read posts from you in threads like “how are your lessons going” and “how are your practices going,” to learn about what you’re working on and how you’re dealing with the current social distancing restrictions present almost everywhere.

Other things I like hearing about (well, actually, pretty much everything dance-related) are how long someone has been dancing, how’d they first get into the sport, what styles they dance & what their favorites are, what background do they have (if any) in dancing or other sports, how they interact with their teacher/pro partner, how they prepare for comps, whether they prefer social or competitive dancing or both....and anything else they want to share, of course.

I suppose discussions on topics like those probably belong in other, non political threads. So FWIW, I hope to see posts from you popping up all over DF! **hugs**

 

[Danceisjoy]

Thank you for the encouragement. Will try to post a bit more. Like a bad dance habit I'm so use to lurking that posting feels really strange... Like a new posture without the muscles to sustain it. lol

 

[lucia_l]

Like a new posture without the muscles to sustain it. lol

Well... at first my goal was to keep it up for 2 steps. That increased to 3. I think I sometimes keep the posture for as many as 6 steps now. Welcome to non-lurking.

 

[raindance]

Thank you for the encouragement. Will try to post a bit more. Like a bad dance habit I'm so use to lurking that posting feels really strange... Like a new posture without the muscles to sustain it. lol

Welcome, Danceisjoy! I want to add my welcome to those of others here at Dance Forums. I too hope you continue to post about your dance journey here.

And I am very, very sorry that you have experienced discrimination events in general, and in the dance world in particular. I sincerely hope that things improve in this regard in the future, in the dance world and out in the world in general. And I hope it helps in some small way to know that there are dancers out there, and people posting here, including me, who want to send you our support and encouragement.

happy dancing,
raindance

 

[Danceisjoy]

Well... at first my goal was to keep it up for 2 steps. That increased to 3. I think I sometimes keep the posture for as many as 6 steps now. Welcome to non-lurking.

Exactly! I'm more like one or the other posture or steps. Now to find the sweet spot in the middle and trying to make it look sweet in the process. lol

 

[worddancer]

Looks like Ohio Star Ball is on for November.

Home

The place where dance legends are made! Welcome to November 17-22, 2026 ** Click HERE for our Latest News! ** Click HERE for our Latest News! ** Click HERE for info on Video, Photo & Livestream availability. ** Final Schedule available under Schedule menu item above. ** Heat List, Program &...

ohiostarball.com

 

[Dupont]

Looks like Ohio Star Ball is on for November.

Home

The place where dance legends are made! Welcome to November 17-22, 2026 ** Click HERE for our Latest News! ** Click HERE for our Latest News! ** Click HERE for info on Video, Photo & Livestream availability. ** Final Schedule available under Schedule menu item above. ** Heat List, Program &...

ohiostarball.com

If the competition runs in the hall for real (not remotely), in masks or not, it will be a milestone. We wish them luck.

 

[Dupont]

The Divider and the Divided​

As a few studios and dances have restarted, I have noticed that the dance community, which I knew well thanks to years of dancing, is divided into two groups, even though the divider is invisible because of its size.

The first is the dancers who come to dances, and the studios that are open.

The second group includes the studios that are closed or offer online content only, and also the dancers and teachers who disappeared from the scene and didn't show up since March.

The first group is four times smaller than the second one, as of October 2020.


Now a few dancers at all levels, of all ages, come to dances and do their best in masks. Meanwhile, haven't seen many active, highly-trained, hard-working, enjoyable fellows for months. Also have dropped the ones who came rarely and didn't dance much. Their interest might have been chatting or free dinner (the dinners are gone now).

Studios that I avoided for some reason or another are open or partly open. How much more I respect them now! Meanwhile, excellent studios and places stay closed, and many didn't update their websites since March.

What amuses me, is that, in the better times, if I had asked myself
"Of these dancers and venues, which would close and have no desire to restore as the conditions improve?", I would have never guessed the right ones.

 

[raindance]

​

What amuses me, is that, in the better times, if I had asked myself
"Of these dancers and venues, which would close and have no desire to restore as the conditions improve?", I would have never guessed the right ones.

Interesting. Things vary a lot around the country. Where I am, things conditions haven't really improved yet. (Down from the worst of the peak where they were using convention centers for extra hospital bed space, yes, but not down to low levels of infection, or low weekly deaths, in the greater metro area where dance studios exist.)

Some studios have forged ahead as soon as allowed, using masks but not really social distancing (partner switching is still allowed at some studios, for instance, which isn't really allowed under current rules about social distancing, but apparently it isn't well enforced region wide). Others are doing "bring your own partner" or solo exercises to allow some dancing while maintaining social distancing.

In general, in our area I see a mixture of folks waiting for now, folks going ahead with some mixture of precautions, and reports of some places going ahead and not even requiring masks, etc. This seems similar to what is happening in other parts of the economy, for better or worse.

If the first group you describe - the ones staying home, or not opening their studios - are 80% of the dancers, that tells me they don't think conditions have improved yet. And/or that some of them are high risk (or are in close contact with high risk folks, etc). And/or that some of them think participating in something like dance right now isn't in their best interest or the best interest of the community. And/or that some of the business owners don't think they can make it financially under current restrictions to make it worth their while, etc.

Everyone has to make their own choices about risks they are willing to take these days (within local regulations), particularly for leisure and hobby activities. I find it a bit odd that you choose not to respect your fellow dancers that are choosing to be more careful. It is their choice. (Or maybe I'm reading more into your post than what is there, not sure.)