Some dancers have asked us why other dance venues hold dances while we close. Here are the facts that drive our decisions:
1. Most open dance venues, such as studios in Melbourne, draw dancers from our local area. SCDC has 60% of our membership from Brevard and the other 40% from other counties and nearby cities with a few from as far away as South Florida. This membership distribution means that we must consider the risk of members inadvertently spreading the virus from other parts of the state.
2. Studios and ballroom groups can ask dancers to dance exclusively with one partner. At our dances people mix and change partners. Many of our members are single and come to the dance expecting to dance with several partners, not just one person.
3. Studios can limit the number of dancers permitted. We have a paid membership of dancers with equal privileges. Our dances have been popular, with attendance between 50 and 100 people, sometimes more. This makes for a good time but requires more caution.
We will be watching the Covid-19 news carefully and we will open again as soon as we can. We hope to see all of you on the dance floor soon.