A call for the return of the dance night
Some of you will recall as if yesterday, many of you may have vague memories, the rest of us have only heard as our grandparents reminisced about the old-time local dances. My grandparents met the loves of their lives at these events and would still, until they passed, buried side-by-side, recite what wonderful times they had in their dancing years. Many tales were mostly sentimental recollections of joyous occasions, so simply centred around dancing and playing cards.
Each time any of my grandparents would talk about these events, I felt it was such a shame that the Dances were lost before our generation, and only recently had the revelation – they don’t have to be.
Hence, the call for the return of the dance nights.
The concept was simple; You’d bring a plate for supper, enjoy live music, dance and socialise. Importantly, for better or worse, these events kept communities connected.
Fast forward to present 2025 we’re faced with alarming statistics on loneliness, anxiety and depression. In Australia, where many people are so fortunate to have all they could want, are severely lacking a basic human need, Connection.
Social media does not count. Social media does not hold a candle to physical engagement. Much of the younger generation can speak to a video camera for their YouTube followers with the skill level of a live television presenter, yet they struggle with basic in-person interactions. Meanwhile, the most valuable assets in our communities, those who’ve more life experience than we’ll possibly ever need to have, are sitting quietly in their nursing homes, feeling inadequate and forgotten.
Intergenerational relationships are in my opinion, not only special, but essential. We each have something to teach. My four year-old teaches me almost as much as the ninety year-old’s I’m luck to still have in my life. Equally I take interest in the lives of my local pals with identities far beyond their occupations varying from farmers, vets, lawyers, tradies, carers, politicians, teachers, retirees, the lot. We may all seem very different, yet there is so much we have in common and we might find that, if we are just put in the same room together.
Times are tough and there is so much devastation around the world at present, it can feel overwhelming and unbearable. When I look to history for how people got through war times and depressions, they banded together. So perhaps we could look at adopting one of the most ancient rituals, in turning to your tribe, your community for security, comfort and sense of belonging. Throw a dance night!
We’re kicking off the very first of, what we hope to be monthly Social Nights, this Saturday in Avenel. Please, consider adapting the initiative for your communities. Perhaps we could pull heads together and each town has a different week of the month as we do with the markets?
A lot of the younger generation may have not learned ballroom dances, so we’re holding free casual classes for all ages and abilities, to learn simple steps. Our local Avenel Memorial Hall is getting a little glam-up thanks to local volunteers and the very generous support of the Seymour Bunnings team. We are excitably working on a new initiative aiming to remove financial barriers around learning musical instruments, developing self-esteem, expression and communication skills for Avenel and the wider community.
Wish us luck, and if you’re about Avenel, come along!
Join us for a fun, relaxed evening of live music, dancing, cards, boardgames, table tennis and community connection. Whether you’re 9 or 90 there’s something for everyone.
All welcome, no cover charge, donations welcome that will go towards future programs.
All-ages Social Night
Saturday 31st May 2025
5pm – 8pm
Avenel Memorial Hall
Entry: Free – donations welcome
Dress: Country-hall smart casual or wear Sunday-best
Bring: (if you can) a plate for supper and non-alcoholic drinks