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Stardusters mark 50 years

Anniversary dance keeps square dancers spinning
Stardusters mark 50 years

Good food, good company and lots of dancing. That was the recipe for a successful and fun weekend as the Stardusters Square Dance Club celebrated 50 years recently.

Out of town visitors joined in the fun with dancers from Quadra, Salt Spring and Vancouver islands as well as various clubs from the Lower Mainland and Penticton.

The weekend was packed solid for the dancers. It began with the Blackberry Street Festival demonstration dance of two squares. Lots of laughter ensued as experienced dancers chose neophyte partners from the crowd of onlookers, and the dance turned into a lesson for 16 willing participants.

Some visitors were billeted and others brought motorhomes or campers. Pancake breakfasts at Rancho Hall kept them fed, and a round dance lesson, jam session and banquet at Powell River Recreation Complex kept everyone happy.

Sean Dees ably emceed the event, and the crowd was served in record time. One-hundred-and-forty people shared the potluck on Saturday night, and then danced until almost midnight when more food was set out on long tables. Luckily, square dancers are known for their appetites. City of Powell River Councillor Maggie Hathaway, who was acting mayor for the event, and MLA Nicholas Simons both attended the banquet and both gamely tried square dancing, acquitting themselves very well.

A panel of 11 callers, plus local callers Gord Ruedig and Judy Alcock, shared calling of the turns for the 16 squares who packed the room.

In days gone by there were at least six clubs actively square dancing in Powell River. Only the Stardusters remain, but the club is more than surviving with 50 members currently and new members joining each year. Classes in simplified West Coast dancing begin in early October each Tuesday night at the Rancho. For more information readers can contact Sandy Graham 604.489.0024 or Ruedig 604.487.9565.