“Show time! It is our stage!”

Public square dance – Joy of housewives

 

By Grace Kou

 

 

You are never too old to find your passion. You are never too old to dance. Dance is an art that never limits anyone’s access to it: Children can dance, teenagers can dance, elderly can dance, and of course housewives can dance too!

 

Public Square Dance, Guangchangwu in Putonghua, is a very popular exercise in mainland China among middle-aged women, especially housewives.

 

Usually, they gather in public squares, parks or plazas etc., dancing with music played on a small amplifier.

 

Nowadays, the trend of square dancing spreads over many neighborhoods, especially in the Northern district of Macao.

 

On stage: spotlight on us

 

As an audience, you may probably find that the one who stands on stage is usually who has unique talents, and cannot be encountered so often.

 

Actually, there is one kind of performer you would always meet on the street, if you are living in the North District. The public square dance group is not limited to dance only in the open ground. It goes on to the stage from time to time!

 

There was a public square dance group that performed at a countdown show in Fai Chi Kei on December 31, 2015. The dancers devoted their full effort to the performance, which attracted a crowd of audience.

 

Although they were very nervous, they still had cheerful smiling faces while dancing. The well-prepared clothes and accessories certainly added bonus points to their performance, making them receive an enthusiastic applause in the end.

 

Dance to happiness

 

“Once passing by a park near my house,” recalled by Chan Son Mui, a 53 year-old active public square dancer who has participated in the public square dance for three years. “I found a group of women dancing with their happy faces. It seemed fun! I felt excited and relieved that I had never felt like this before! I asked them if I could join immediately.”

 

In Chan’s group, there are 21 members who live in Fai Chi Kei mostly. They do public square dancing for two hours in the morning from Monday to Saturday, except on bad weather days.

 

After Chan joined the public square dance, she found herself really enjoying dancing. Even when there is bad weather, she stays at home and dances alone. She feels happier and stronger than before.

 

“Being a housewife is so boring as we usually have mundane routines. Nevertheless, public square dancing allows me to have group activities again. I have more friends now!”

 

Public square dancing is believed to be beneficial for dancers’ physical and mental health. “There is a member who had adhesive capsulitis before she joined the dance group, but now her problem is gone!”

 

Be serious, be young again

 

People might consider public square dancing as a casual interest activity. In fact, public square dancing requires lots of effort - more than you can ever imagine.

 

Chan’s dance group practices different songs from time to time. After the members get familiar with one song, they will learn a new one.

 

Bowie Kou, daughter of Chan, said, “Music always comes from my mother’s room and spreads over the house, as she searches dancing videos online all the time. When she comes up with a video with a nice melody, she downloads it and learns the dancing skill step by step at home. It is so funny to see her dancing as she is so cute!”

 

“I kept learning and dancing during these three years. Now, it is so encouraging that I have become a ‘teacher’!” Chan said. After Chan finishes the practice, she teaches the other members, but what may surprise you the most is that she had never danced before she joined the dance group!

 

Chan stressed, “We aim to learn new things till old!” According to Chan, teaching is never easy since some members can follow the steps, but some need more time to practice. However, no matter how long the process takes, all the members are glad as long as they can keep learning new dance moves.

 

In the past three years, the group was invited to dance on stage several times. Chan needs to help members correct their gestures, arrange positions of each dancer and determine how to enter and exit the stage. They also need to design and prepare costumes for the shows. One member is responsible for sewing clothes, others help to put sequin on them, and buy shoes and hair accessories.

 

Although the dancers have to prepare a lot for a performance, they feel extremely happy when dancing. “We enjoy performing on stage! We feel like we are stars!” Chan said cheerfully.