Dancing In A Parade
by Brittany Hayes, 8CA Staff Writer
Summer for dance teams is supposed to be considered the offseason, but in preparation for the fast approaching season, many coaches may choose to participate in town parades for the many events that come up over the summer. Believe me, dancing miles through sweltering heat definitely doesn’t sound like the best way to spend a weekend afternoon, but if you approach it prepared and with a good attitude, it can turn in to a great experience for the entire team.
By mid-June, many teams already have their teams for the upcoming season, so dancing in a parade is a great way to ease your team into cohesiveness. Dancing within a formation on a gym floor during competition is hard enough, but when you add walking through a street it creates an even greater sense of difficulty. Your audience is no longer in front of you, but on your sides, so maintaining formations is vital, but the only way that could happen is if you work together. Being able to speak up to help your teammates out is a cornerstone in creating a unified team, and there’s no better start to build the confidence needed for that then within a parade routine.
Dancing within a parade is also a great way to introduce new members to the performance aspect without the pressure of a football game or competition. It’s a fun and laid back atmosphere where it’s okay to make mistakes here and there, which can help newbies gain their confidence that’s vital within a real performance. On the other hand, this is also is a great chance for newly elected captains to ease into their positions because they’re able to encourage their teammates and motivate them to get through such a long day. It’s a great way for them to set the tone for the upcoming season, and express their determination and dedication for this team, even during a low pressure time.
As for a few reminders for the day, make sure you bring a lot of water to drink, and don’t be afraid to get out of line to run to the car or truck for water. It’s better to have a dancer miss a couple eight counts then part of a season due to injury caused by dehydration. Sunscreen is essential for I don’t recommend risking getting bad tan lines and blister from being in the sun. Your audience is pumped and excited to see you, so make sure you feed off that energy because you will get tired very quickly. Also, they may have squirt guns, and I’m sure it doesn’t sound ideal to get squirted with water in your uniform, but you’ll appreciate it if it happens. But, most importantly, HAVE FUN. This is one of the few times during the season that you can truly just enjoy dancing without having any pressure, so make sure you cherish that.
All in all, dancing in a parade is a great way to ease your team into the performance state of mind and set the tone for the upcoming season. The bond you’ll create through the long practices and parade itself will be irreplaceable, and the memories, whether good or bad, will be carried with the team for a long time. So have fun, be safe, and good luck!