Brent’s Bunch is Resuming Plus Square Dancing on Thursdays Starting Oct 28

Hi Square & Round Dancers,

I am pleased to announce the re-starting of Plus Square Dancing and Round Dancing at Brent’s Bunch on Thursday evenings, starting Oct 28, 2021, at the Burnaby Lake Pavilion (6871 Roberts St, Burnaby, BC, V5B 3C1).

Everyone is welcome to join us but I recognize that everyone has different opinions and feelings about returning to group activities, including square and round dancing, based on their own situation and the safety protocols that will be followed by the group, and that’s OK.

Many people are missing the physical, mental, and social benefits that square and round dancing provides, but also only want to return to dancing in the safest way possible, while following current public health requirements.  Therefore, I have prepared a COVID-19 Safety Plan which was developed with guidance from the “FVS&RDA COVID-19 Return to Dance Committee”.

Key components to the plan include:

• Anyone showing or feeling symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days, or that has been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days, is asked to please stay home.
• The maximum hall capacity is 50 people.
• Everyone entering the hall must show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (two doses) in the form of a BC Vaccine Card (digital or hard copy with QR code that can be scanned).
• Everyone must wear a suitable face mask at all times while inside the hall, including while dancing, except when drinking, eating, or for the caller/cuer while instructing the dance.
• Everyone must sanitize their hands when they enter the hall and must wash or sanitize their hands before each square dance tip.  Hand sanitizer will be provided.
• No food or beverages will be provided by the club.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their own water or beverage in spill-proof containers, and snacks if they wish, but do not share them with people outside your household “bubble”.
• Chairs will be available around the perimeter of the hall but tables for sitting at will not be available.

The full plan is posted on this blog site and will be available at the hall or from Brent on request.

We will open the doors at 7:30pm and offer dancing from 7:45pm until about 9:30pm.  The guest fee is $7.50 per person.

I’m sure everyone (including me) will be a little “rusty” so I plan to review movements as necessary and keep the tips short.

You are welcome to drop in any Thursday, but if you are able to let me know by email or phone if you plan to attend, I would appreciate it.  I can then send you the complete safety plan for your review.

If you would like to receive invitations to future dances from me directly, please email me at squaredancewithbrent@gmail.com and I’ll add you to my email list.  Please let me know if you are interested in Mainstream or Plus dances, or both.  If you do not wish to receive these notices, just let me know.

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in person soon.

Best Regards,
Brent Mawdsley

Email: squaredancewithbrent@gmail.com

H: 604-594-8622

Brent's Virtual Square Dances Break to January 25, return with Guest Caller Heather Reynolds

 Hi Everybody,

 

This week I'm participating in the Mineral Exploration Roundup virtual conference for my day job and I’m not sure what my availability will be like in the evenings.  Therefore, I won’t be offering any virtual dances this week. 

 

I will resume these dances the following week with Mainstream on Monday, Jan 25; and Plus on Thursday, Jan 28.

On Monday, Jan 25, I will be joined by special guest caller Heather Reynolds from Vancouver, BC.  I’ll send you an invitation with the Zoom access codes next weekend. 

 

Here is a link to a new information flyer about my virtual square dances that includes some YouTube links to a couple of examples of 2-couple dancing and to some of my recordings for Riverboat Square Dance Music for your listening pleasure. 

 

If you think your dancing friends may enjoy virtual dancing with you, please pass along my invitation to them.

If you do not wish to receive these notices, just let me know. 

 

Have a great week and I look forward to seeing you again the week of Jan 25.

 

Best Regards,

Brent

Happy News

I'm delighted to let you know that Steve and Cheryl were married Tuesday, August 4 in a small ceremony in their garden.  Here is a photo of the happy couple.

 Let's hope we can congratulate them in person before long!

Daphne

Hi Brent's Bunch Members and Friends,

I hope you are doing well and have been able to stay healthy.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis and social distancing requirement, I have decided to cancel Brent's Bunch dances for the month of April 2020.  

I'll re-assess the situation in late April and let you know.  If group gatherings are somehow permissible again at that time, I'll ask to see how many people are interested and we can decide from there.  For now, I'll keep our hall reserved for the first three Thursdays in May.  

I have reserved the Burnaby Lake Pavillion on Thursday nights for the fall 2020 session.  Due to the annual September maintenance and a city function, the first available Thursday is Sept 27, 2020.   

We miss you all and hope we will be able to get together soon.  Meanwhile, we hope you all stay well and are able to stay in contact with your friends and family via phone, email, video chat, and social media.  

Best Regards,

Brent

Brent's Bunch Cancelled for Next 3 Weeks due to COVID-19 concerns

Hi Brent's Bunch Members and Friends, 

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments and feedback to help with this decision.  I have received replies from the majority of members and regular guests and the vast majority feel that while the risk may still be low, why increase our risk of contracting COVID-19 and potentially transmitting it to others, especially those that may be in a higher risk part of the population.  Therefore, we will cancel dancing at Brent's Bunch on Thursdays for the next three weeks (March 12, 19 & 26) and then re-assess the public health situation and recommendations at that time. 

FYI - All clubs in the Mt. Baker Council in Washington State, have canceled dances for the next 2 - 4 weeks.  This includes the Rainbow Squares dances, Saturdays, March 14 and 28.  Many clubs in the FVSRDA have canceled dances for the next 2 weeks or more.  The MS Benefit Dance March 22 has been canceled.  Therefore, check ahead before heading to other dances at this time.   

Brent's Bunch is a fantastic, friendly, caring group, and I will miss seeing you all over the next 3 weeks.  I look forward to being able to resume as soon as possible.   Meanwhile, I hope you all stay well.  

Sincerely,  Brent

Visit to Surrey Square Wheelers

We had a great time visiting Surrey Square Wheelers last night. We enjoyed Krista’s calling once again, as well as that of 4 dancers who rose to the challenge of calling on Open Mic night.

Look at this happy group with banner retrieved, all sporting their Festival 2020 ribbons.  Joe, Gord & Tally also attended but were not available for the photo.

Rob, Merle, Maryanne, Chuck, Daphne, Betty, Bob, Barbara

We are DARK on Thursday, March 5

This week, we will visit Surrey Square Wheelers on Tuesday, March 3.  Hope to see you back at Burnaby Lake Pavilion for our March 12 St. Patrick's Dance.