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PSA Wheelchair Square Dancing

SWINGING SPOKES

The Swinging Spokes have been performing for nearly 20 years. Led by an experienced caller, the group dances weekly, learning numerous dances and rounds. The social aspect of this group is also very strong. During the season, the group prepares for numerous public demonstrations and private bookings. This adapted form of square dancing has become very popular.

PERFORMANCES AND DEMONSTRATIONS
The Swinging Spokes practice Monday evenings at the ACT Centre (in Rundle Park) from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. and runs from September 23 to December 16 and January 6 to May 26.

The Swinging Spokes have performed for many groups, both locally and nationally, through the years and have given demonstrations in malls and parks. On occasion, they travel and meet with other wheelchair square dancers in Canada and the United States. As a member of this group, you too will become a performer for various events. (See article below)

INVITATION TO NEW DANCERS
In an effort to recruit new dancers, free clinics will be held in September for anyone willing to try wheelchair square dancing. The caller, as well as experienced dancers, will be on hand to run the workshops and teach the skills. For more information call the PSA Office at (780) 439-8687 or e-mail PSA at [email protected].

PROGRAM FEES
A registration fee of $25, plus club volunteer services, includes 30 weeks of instruction plus performances and demos. The season normally runs from September to May.

THE SWINGING SPOKES ATTEND THE 13TH CANADIAN NATIONAL SQUARE & ROUND DANCE CONVENTION
July 18th to the 22nd saw seven members of the Swinging Spokes Square Dance Group in Saint John, New Brunswick to participate in the 13th Canadian National Square & Round Dance Convention. Al Deby (Square Dance Caller), Peggy Deby (attendant) and Sheila Thomas (attendant) and Cindy ?? (attendant) accompanied us. This huge fun filled square dancing event had a total of 2,900 registered dancers, including three wheelchair groups-The Wheeling Eights from Vancouver, The Steel City Wheelers from Hamilton and The Swinging Spokes from Edmonton.

The Convention was held in several locations in the downtown area., We danced at the Convention centre, which was connected to our Hotel by a pedway, in fact all the downtown area hotels, shopping centre, convention centre, swimming pool hockey arena etc. are all connected by the pedway. Making it vary easy to get around for us different able dancers.

Our host group, The Saint John Square wheelers (no longer dancing at the present time) hosted a dinner of sandwiches and drinks on the Thursday afternoon before the opening ceremonies took place at the hockey arena.

We did a lot of dancing over the three days of the Convention. We danced from 1:30-4:30, 7:00-10:00 each day. Talk about an endurance test! With four callers from the three groups taking turns calling and teaching us new moves. Some of the former St John Square wheelers came and danced with us which was nice treat for them and us. Their caller and his wife (cleo & Linda Mailet) did a lot of work in preparation and hosting the wheelchair dancers, We are all grateful for. Gleo and Linda also bought all of us caps which had WHEELCHAIR DANCERS 2002 written on them..

All the wheelchair dancers put on a demo in the shopping mall beside our hotel on Friday, and a few of us were in the parade of dancers who paraded down the (steep hill) main street of St. John on the opening day. There were even square dancing dogs which were really neat to watch dancing with their handlers.

We stayed an extra day after the convention to recuperate and to go on a tour of this beautiful historic old city. We all had a great time and are looking forward to the next Convention, which will be in Calgary in 2004.

On behalf of the Swinging Spokes I would like to thank the Paralympic Sports Association for their continued support which helped make it possible for us to attend this great fun filled Square Dance Convention. Our group are hoping that more P.S.A. members will come and learn how to square dance in the fall.

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