Kristin Downey: Dancing in Hawke’s Bay

Rod and I recently spent a few days away in Napier. With rain forecast for the whole time, we decided we needed a backup plan to include some activities other than cycling and walking. Naturally our minds turned to dancing.

The Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Region lists four dancing groups – two in Hastings, one in Napier and one in Parkvale. With groups not yet started back, we instead joined a casual social group for experienced dancers which runs on Friday mornings at St Francis’ Church hall in Clive.

Tutor Isabel Jackson and other dancers were very welcoming – especially so because five of their usual dancers were absent. They also pointed out that we were the youngest dancers on the floor, something to be savoured as that’s pretty rare for us these days!

It’s always interesting dancing with different groups, each one has a different repertoire of dances. Isabel started with Rodney’s Rant (chosen before she knew we’d be coming), moved on to Red House (an old favourite for us) and finished with “Deer” Friends which was unfamiliar to me. There is also a dance called Deer in the Headlights – and that more closely described me till I got myself sorted out.

With a cup of tea under our belts, Rod took up the invitation to teach some of his dances. The Lady in Pink was an obvious first choice as there were five couples on the day. Rod then taught John Markham’s Rant – only the second time it’s been danced, and we finished the session with Miss Leslie Cunningham.

Rod in the centre with the Clive Friday morning dancing group. Tutor Isabel Jackson is third from the right in blue.

It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed being a person of no-responsibility-whatsoever, just a dancer. We also enjoyed getting to know the group better over lunch at Clive Bakery, and getting some tips on wet-weather destinations in the area.

We didn’t make it to The Silky Oak Chocolate Company or the MTG museum and gallery as the rain never really arrived, but they’re on our list. And we’re looking forward to dancing in Clive again when we return to Napier.

Kristin Downey
24 June 2020

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