ESTEVAN 鈥� The Estevan Recreational Dance Club (ERDC) hosted its largest recital yet this weekend, with approximately 300 dancers of all ages performing for two sold-out audiences at the Estevan Comprehensive School鈥檚 cafetorium.
鈥淲e had completely sold-out shows,鈥� said ERDC owner and lead instructor Brooke Wilson. 鈥淧erformances sold out in advance.鈥�
Ticket demand was high, with reserved family seats quickly claimed and general admission selling out shortly after being released.
The annual recitals featured dancers ranging in age from toddlers to adults.
鈥淔rom the littlest, three- and four-year-olds 鈥� we had one child who was two-and-a-half and she rocked that stage 鈥� up until my high schoolers and my seniors,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淚 was so proud of all of our dancers, all of our routines. They performed beautifully on stage.鈥�
Among the standout performances were solos and trios by the club鈥檚 four graduating students, Axel Jumbe, Hanna Carter, Emmalee Ursu and Nevaeh Whitebull.
鈥淎xel performed a tap solo and Emmalee, Hanna and Nevaeh performed a contemporary trio in the show,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淭hey were just amazing at capturing who they are as dancers and as people.鈥�
The show also featured ERDC鈥檚 first-ever adult tap group, made up of eight dancers and Wilson herself.
鈥淲e put a routine together and we went on stage, and it was so amazing for myself as a teacher to just be in a routine as well,鈥� she said. 鈥淭o hear so many of the students backstage cheering for us, to hear the audience cheering us on, it was so amazing to be on stage with those ladies.鈥�
Wilson described recital day as 鈥渂usy鈥� and emotionally charged.
鈥淭he day always feels like it goes by so slow but so fast at the same time,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just wanted to try to soak in as much of it as I could because I knew it would be over before I knew it.鈥�
Planning for the show began months earlier.
鈥淲e do quite a few months at the beginning of the year, working on our steps, learning combinations, stringing different moves together,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hen probably closer to ... the beginning of December, we started to think about putting these pieces together.鈥�
The ERDC team also managed a competition program this year 鈥� another first for the club.
鈥淵es, it was our first year,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淚 had 30 students on the team that I had worked with for many years.鈥�
The team participated in a dance competition in Weyburn, performing multiple group pieces along with solos and duets.
鈥淚 competed in dance when I was a child as well and I remember really enjoying it and making so many great memories,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted to share that with my students ... And it was an absolute blast.鈥�
While next season鈥檚 details are still being finalized, Wilson said the competition team will return.
Despite having wrapped up the season, ERDC鈥檚 growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always room for growth, in my opinion,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淲e鈥檙e always looking to grow, improve and to open the doors for anyone who would like to join us.鈥�
That growth isn鈥檛 limited to numbers, but also includes maintaining a close-knit environment.
鈥淚t really is a special community that we have fostered,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll of the kids just love and support each other. It doesn鈥檛 matter how old they are. It is a team effort and everyone supports each other backstage.鈥�
While the club is currently on a short break, Wilson said preparations for the next season will begin soon, with returning students receiving updates and additional information posted on the ERDC鈥檚 Facebook and Instagram pages.
Community appearances may also be in the cards.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 any events, definitely don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out and we can make something work with our dancers,鈥� Wilson said.
In past years, ERDC dancers have participated in events such as the United Way Estevan Telethon, local parades and the Midale鈥檚 Got Talent show.
Looking back on the season, Wilson expressed deep gratitude to all involved.
鈥淛ust another huge thank you to all of the dancers and their families for an incredible year,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was just an incredible season.鈥�
