THE PARENTING BIZ
Time Flies When You’re Having Fun Virtual Activities For Kids (and Former Kids) This Winter
© Can Stock Photo/Anna_Os
FEATURE STORY By Matthew St. Amand
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s if January was not enough to deal with on its own. Christmas has come and gone, we’re already breaking our New Year’s resolutions, and 2021 has brought with it the unwanted guest from 2020 — the COVID-19 pandemic. Entering the new year under the “Grey Lockdown” level, the unwanted Zen lessons appear to be “patience” and “forbearance”. The coronavirus has brought a collision between science, nature and “I want to speak to the manager” culture. We don’t control COVID-19. We only control ourselves. That means a lot of indoor time, getting to know (again) our families and the exact square footage of our homes, as well as the limitations of interactive technology that has been touted for decades as some kind of saviour. I can still remember seeing a “Teledon” computer for the first time at grade school in 1980. It was connected to the “Network”. “Imagine doing all your shopping from home!” the resource teacher enthused. “You’d never have to leave the house!” Yeah, imagine. In order to help readers get through the “Panuary” lockdown, (however long) Biz X reached out to various local businesses doing their part to banish the doldrums, with virtual activities available online to help keep kids (and adults) active, engaged, and entertained.
Cathy’s Dance Studio Inc.
If there were ever a time people needed to dance, it is now. Cathy Lassaline, Studio Owner and Director of Cathy’s Dance Studio, offers virtual classes over Zoom.
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“We’re all feeling very cooped up,” Lassaline expresses. “It is hard going out for that evening walk when it’s so cold outside. Committing to a class can be very motivating for people to get some much-needed exercise.” Although “virtual” classes will never replace in-person dance instruction, she notes that during this second lockdown, people are more open to Zoom classes than they were back in the spring of last year. “That was back when the weather was getting better,” she recalls. “People were opening the pool and it was nice being outside, again.” People of all skill levels and experience are welcome to register for dance lessons. “We’re a recreational, as well as competitive dance studio,” Lassaline states. “We have our long-time students, but we’re always ready to welcome new students.” Cathy’s Dance Studio is certainly prepared for these uncertain times. On the home page of their website: CathysDanceStudio.net, there is a “COVID-19” tab. Click that and there is a link to dance class schedules during the Grey level. There is also a “Click here for crash course on
Cathy Lassaline, Studio Owner and Director of Cathy’s Dance Studio, offers virtual classes over Zoom. Photo courtesy of Cathy’s Dance Studio.
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Zoom” link on the page, where the seasoned Zoom users take you through the set-up steps. “Right now, we’re keeping the class sizes to nine pupils per class,” Lassaline explains. “This is so we’re ready for the Red Control level.” The benefits children derive from dancing are well documented: it provides exercise and develops agility; psycho–motor development, improving coordination, balance, and sense of rhythm; it’s fun; it fosters creativity and improves self-esteem. It’s worth noting that tuition at Cathy’s Dance Studio has not been raised in the past year, and all fees are “per family”. So, for families with more than one child, or if parents want to join in, the fee structure is straightforward and minimizes wallet cramp. “We’ve have adult hip-hop and jazz dance,” Lassaline says. “It’s a great way to get moving, get some exercise. We all say we’re going to take that walk after dinner, but having a dance class on the calendar can be more motivating.”
Student Brianna Lopez participates in a pointe group class with instructor Sandra Siddall (on computer screen) of Cathy’s Dance Studio. Photo courtesy of Anne Marie Lopez.
Even though we’re all running into the limitations of our technology, there is a certain level of socializing that occurs during the classes. Not much, but every little bit helps. Lassaline has been teaching dance for the past 35 years and her studio has been open for 15 years. It’s located in the plaza on the corner of Walker Road and Foster Avenue, at 2220B Foster Avenue.
Tecumseh Music Centre
If “Music has charms to sooth a savage breast”, according to an old poem, (William Congreve, in “The Mourning Bride”, 1697) then surely it can take the edge off the savage boredom of Lockdown 2021? “We offer virtual lessons on a variety of
