In a normal year, hosting the Moose Jaw Invitational Dance Carnival is little more than running a traditional, annual competition for Dance Images by BJ.
The event goes on the calendar, dancers show up, performances hit the stage, awards are presented, and everyone moves on to the next show.
But this time, it meant so much more.
More than 600 competitors from all over Saskatchewan took to the Centennial Auditorium stage in Peacock Collegiate over the Mar. 26 weekend, marking the first full-on dance competition in Moose Jaw since the spring of 2019.
“We were a bit nervous because it was the first time in three years, but the crowds were great, there were always a lot of people watching and I think it’s because it’s the first time in so long that everyone could watch live dancing,” said Barb Jackman with Dance Images. “So that was awesome.
“Then the kids danced so well, they were so excited and happy, and the teachers were excited and happy… it was just a really positive vibe, which was really great. We always strive for that anyway when there’s a competition because there are always kids who are disappointed and kids who aren’t, but it felt like there was lots of camaraderie and spirit and support from everyone.”
With the amount of time between Dance Carnivals -- the last took place in mid-April 2019, and the pandemic shut things down a full month before the event scheduled in 2020 -- it meant many of the younger competitors were on stage in actual competition for the first time. That alone was an emotional moment for many involved.
“There were lots of happy tears,” Jackman said with a laugh. “The whole thing was such a great opportunity to get back on stage and it kind of felt like a win for everyone and that was a good feeling.”
Outside of the return-to-action aspect of the whole thing, it was business as usual. Sara Lawson and Gillian Horn served as adjudicators for the event and offered a ton of valuable information to performers as to where they can improve for future competitions.
“Now that all the dancers have their adjudication forms, they can look at what they have to work on and it helps so much,” Jackman said. “Both our adjudicators did such a wonderful job, now the kids are learning and growing, and hopefully they improve from the feedback.”
The Carnival wasn’t a one-off novelty, either -- dance season in Saskatchewan is now in full swing, with studios from all over the city making regular weekend excursions all over the province.
That includes this weekend for Dance Images, who will be right back in action in Regina during the Apr. 1 weekend.
“We’re kind of all the way back into it, and it’s kind of funny how quickly it all comes back to you,” Jackman said. “So we’re pretty excited for what’s ahead, this weekend in Regina will be a little tougher competition so we’re getting ready for that and the kids have certainly been focussed this week.”
For a look at tons of photos, results and pretty much all the information you could want from the Moose Jaw Invitational Dance Carnival, be sure to click right here.
