Ballroom Dancing During a Global Pandemic
At its core, ballroom dancing is a social activity. Derived from the Latin word ballare, meaning to dance, ballroom dancing has become increasingly popular over time - even getting its own television series, "Dancing with the Stars." Yet, when coronavirus hit, things had to change. After all, how could people keep six feet from their dance partners without neglecting one of the ballroom's core tenets - to be social? In Chicago, one woman found a way.
According to WGN 9, Amy Novotny found herself at a crossroads when the pandemic hit. Because she was not an essential business, she had to find a creative way to stay afloat during these unprecedented times, so she "moved classes to the sidewalk, cordoned off the ballroom for couples, and used hula hoops and gloves to keep contact to a minimum," the outlet said.
This way, people could enjoy their pastime without the fear of exposing themselves to the virus. Novotny was not alone in her creative endeavors. In Brooklyn, Jessica Li began her COVID ballroom journey by doing some self-evaluation. She wrote, "With no mirrors to see what you look like, perhaps you can focus on sensing what you feel like."
She goes on to note that legendary painter Vincent van Gogh produced some of his greatest works while being in a mental asylum - a "lockdown" of sorts - and Ballroom dancers can use this time to do the same thing. She notes that, "Creativity gives you freedom."
In Duluth, MN, Superior Ballroom Dance Studio experienced an unexpected twist of fate: amid a pandemic, they had a surge in customers. Andrea Kuzel, the Ballroom's owner, told Fox21 that they had an increased demand for instructors. From offering virtual classes to socially distanced lessons, Superior Ballroom Dance Studio found a way to stay afloat when things were unpredictable. They even participate in virtual competitions.
Really, what this shows is that although the world is changing, ballroom dancing is a constant that can bring people together and inspire creativity. To get started dancing with us, contact us.