Social Ice Dancing Programs Thriving
By Jo Ann Schneider Farris, special to U.S. Figure Skating Online
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A live or recorded announcement is made for the next music to be played and dance to be skated, and a chart is posted with a listing of the order of the dances. Many skaters "solo" the dances, skating the dance without a partner, or as custom dictates, a man asks a lady to partner for the next dance.
In general, social ice dancing sessions have a special appeal to skaters, most often adults, who are not concerned with competing or taking tests. Unfortunately, these sessions are disappearing in many cities.
There are, however, notable exceptions, and successful social ice dancing programs still do exist - skaters just have to look for them.
The Skating Club of Wilmington has had a successful Monday evening session for more than 40 years in which ice dancers of all ages participate. The Wilmington social ice dancing season begins in September and ends in mid-June, and includes an annual Halloween dance and other holiday events as well as special dress-up nights with appropriate music. An equal number of men and women participate, and coaches take part as well.
"The Skating Club of Wilmington's social ice dancing program is the highlight of my week," said John Reid, a long-time participant. "The program's success is due to a long line of dedicated dance chairs, a strong dance coaching staff and a music selection that is varied and interesting."
For the past four years, the program's dance chair has been Sandra Mathers, an avid ice dancer and competitor, world traveler and retired university professor. She serves as a general coordinator and cheerleader, seeing that refreshments are brought to every session, keeping good relations with the coaches who attend and maintaining an e-mail listserve of attending ice dancers.
Another successful program is found in Portland, Ore. The weekly Sunday session is held in a mall rink that provides a built-in audience of appreciative shoppers, many of whom give figure skating a try after observing the sessions. A core group of adults support and assure the continuity of the sessions; new skaters are welcomed into the group, and children are encouraged to participate. Portland's ice dancers also perform in local ice shows.
Certain Portland figure skating coaches have contributed to the success of the ice dancing program, but the late Delores Mezyk is credited with making it a success.
"Put simply, Portland ice dancing would not have happened without Delores," said gold-level skater Doug Hansberry.
Mezyk taught sectional and national competitors, and encouraged many of her skaters to take up ice dancing. She was the core of the dance scene in Portland for more than three decades until her death from cancer. Hansberry says that Mezyk touched the lives of virtually every ice dancer in the Portland area.
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"Successful ice dance programs happen when figure skating coaches encourage their skating students to take part in social ice dance sessions," said Portland ice dancer Lauren Zell.
While it's becoming increasingly harder to find individuals who wish to dedicate their time and money to social ice dancing, those already involved in the pursuit see it as a worthwhile endeavor.
Ice dancer and U.S. figure skating judge Terri Levine said, "The economy has affected the Portland program a bit, but I am confident that our ice dance program will continue to grow."
San Francisco also has an existing social ice dance program. One of the core people responsible for the success of the Bay Area Ice Dancers (BAID) program is Don Willis. He ice dances two to three times a week, and he also skates at least once a week in a public session in hopes of recruiting interested skaters into the BAID program.
"Social ice dancing is really for sharing the personal enjoyment of skating, where everyone can participate in a family and group activity," Willis said. "It is outside the restraints and rules that abound in most aspects of the sport that are imposed by the rinks and clubs, and is a throwback to the roots of when the clubs were far more social. It is not dead or even dying in the San Francisco Bay area - it is a tradition that has been handed down."
Willis says that BAID is successful because rink management in the Bay Area encourages all aspects of skating.
"Age doesn't matter; my youngest success was 20 months, and (fellow BAID) Eleanor (Woodbury) is 93, and we get to do a Dutch Waltz or Canasta Tango together at least once a year," Willis said. "I've had some wonderful mentors, and as long as there is a breath in me, I will continue extolling the virtues of skating.
"At this point in my life, social ice dancing provides much of what I need to keep my life interesting and also serves as continuing education for my social and teaching skills."
Gene Grinnell, of Long Island, N.Y., has worked hard to get a social ice dancing program started in New York City. He has used social networking resources such as Facebook to get the word out.
"We still have more men than women at every session, and so far no one can explain why. But we're keeping the faith that sooner or later the ice dancing women in the NYC area will join us and have some fun at the World Ice Arena," Grinnell said.
Grinnell's efforts on the Internet are not unique. Similar connectivity with the Yahoo group "Ice Dancers" has involved ice dancers worldwide for more than 10 years. The group, which purpose is to help ice dancers come together, has more than 700 members. Moderators Kianoosh Samii and Levine work hard with the site to promote ice dancing at all levels.
The introduction to the group site reads: "Many of us know one another through dance weekends and competitions. Those who have not met yet will sooner or later share the ice or, even better, share a dance together. So let this forum help make our wonderful world of ice dancing even better."
