ESTEVAN - For the first time since 2019, the members of the Estevan Recreational Dance Club were able to perform for a large crowd, and they certainly didn`t disappoint.
The ERDC recital happened Saturday at the Estevan Comprehensive School’s cafetorium. A total of 190 dancers from ages three to 19 took to the stage and performed during two shows.
Forty routines entertained the crowd. A grand finale featured 85 dancers ages seven and up, and then all of the dancers returned to the stage for a curtain call.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for the past two years, building up to this, because we haven’t been able to perform,” said ERDC owner Brooke Wilson. “It was just so, so wonderful to finally be back on stage, performing for our friends and family, and the people that love and support us.”
The 2 p.m. performance attracted a sold-out crowd of 860 spectators and the 7 p.m. show was nearly at capacity.
“It was electric,” said Wilson “They were cheering and clapping, and when I saw people leaving and I was saying ‘Thank you’ to everybody, they were saying it was amazing, it was so much fun and it was just so nice to hear those compliments for all my and the kids’ hard work this year.”
Twenty-three staff members, including four teachers and two directors, are also part of the club. Lots of kids help out during classes.
The 2020 recital had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was scheduled to happen on March 14 of that year, but the initial restrictions came into effect the day before and the decision was made to cancel the show. It was a difficult decision to make, but Wilson believes it proved to be the right one.
A virtual recital was pieced together later in 2020.
Last year they had a recital in the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, but they were limited to eight or less students on the stage at a time, and they couldn’t have more than 30 people in the hall at once, so it was mostly parents in attendance.
Wilson said a lot of work goes into the recital each year. Not only do they have to spend time rehearsing, but they have to worry about schedules, behind-the-scenes work, practices for the grand finale and photo day.
“A lot of the little things that I don’t think everyone realizes have to happen to make it all come together,” said Wilson. “We did have a bunch of amazing parent volunteers yesterday who were vital to making the recital happen as smoothly as it did.”
Her sister Paige Wilson helped out backstage, too.
The recital brought the dance club’s season to an end. There were fewer uncertainties this year as far as restrictions are concerned. The kids had to wear the masks when they entered the building for most of the season, but the masks could be removed for physical activities.
“We didn’t have any limitations on how many students could be in the classroom at a time, so that was really nice,” said Wilson.
The students have shown growth, Wilson said. Some of the three-year-olds at the beginning of the season were so scared and crying, and couldn’t leave their mother’s side, but now they’re on the big stage and performing with confidence.
“I cried quite a few times watching the little ones perform last night,” said Wilson
Wilson encouraged people to keep up with the ERDC by following the club on Facebook and Instagram. Registration typically begins in August.
