By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
The coronavirus pandemic may have halted the 2020 dance competition season, but the students of River Rhythms Dance Center in Baldwinsville have stayed on their toes through Zoom classes and private lessons. The dancers are raising money to travel to the Starpower National Talent Competition in the summer of 2021.
“We hope we’re going to be able to do it. We weren’t able to do it this spring because of COVID,” said Diane Davenport of the RRDC Booster Club.
The booster club is selling chrysanthemums and hosting the RRDC Booster Club Food Truck Fest on Sept. 26.
“People can come and pick their food [up]. We’re really trying to follow the state and local protocols. We’re not providing picnic tables so people can’t stay and socialize,” Davenport said. “If people want to get their food and then head down the river a block to WT Brews … they can get seating there.”
WT Brews, which often hosts food trucks outside its taproom on East Genesee Street, is promoting the dancers’ fundraiser as well.
River Rhythms students will provide live entertainment by performing the routines they would have done in this year’s competitions.
“Their competition season usually runs from late January to nationals … usually in July. They weren’t able to have a recital. They weren’t able to showcase all their hard work so they’re excited to be able to do at least some of [their routines] at the festival,” Davenport said.
Davenport’s 11-year-old daughter, Avery, began dancing at age 4. Avery took a couple of years off to pursue gymnastics and soccer, but eventually returned to dance. She is one of about 25 River Rhythms students ranging from age 5 to 17 on the competition team, Davenport said.
In light of COVID-19, River Rhythms has installed a new air purification system in the studio and a plexiglass barrier at the front desk. Dancers must wash or sanitizer their hands before and after class, and masks are required if they are unable to stay six feet apart.
“They’re not really encouraging parents to sit and wait and watch,” Davenport said. “It’s a little bit different than what they’re used to.”
While dance looks different this year, the River Rhythms dancers are forging ahead for the 2021 season.
“They’ve already started their competitive routine,” Davenport said.
The River Rhythms Dance Center Booster Club Food Truck Fest takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at RRDC, located at 6 Lock St. in the village of Baldwinsville. Among the participating food trucks are Skippy’s Ice Cream, Oompa Loompyas, Birdsong Cafe, Ma and Pa’s Kettle Corn, the Spud Truck, Via Napoli, Limp Lizard and Papá Gallo. For more information, visit facebook.com/rrdcboosterclub or email [email protected].
The booster club is also selling mums in 8-inch pots for $10 each. Available colors are red, orange, yellow, white or lavender. Make checks payable to RRDC Booster Club or send payment via Venmo @RRDCBoosterClub. Be sure to include your color choice, quantity and phone number. The deadline to order mums is Sept. 15. Pick up your plants at the Food Truck Fest on Sept. 26.