Promenaders History
The Promenaders Square Dance Club joined the V.I.W.S.D.A. March 1957 after completing a year of Beginners, Jack and Marg Weber being the first President couple. Dawn and Les Draper were the Clubs first Caller Couple in 1958. That year, the Promenaders took part in the Centennial Pageant (portraying Eskimos) and dancing to “Look at the Northern Lights”. The Queen and Prince Phillip were here in 1959 where Dawn Draper called, The Hometowners played and local squaredancers , Jack and Marg Weber (representing The Promenaders) danced. Jack and Marg Weber became the new Caller Couple in 1960.
In 1961 the First Annual Promenader picnic was held at Langford Lake. The Promenaders had their first “Prom” in 1962. In 1964 the Royal Oak Hall became the permanent home hall for the Promenaders, dancing on the 2nd and 4th Fridays. That year they hosted the First Annual New Years Eve Dance. In 1967 the Centennial Train arrived at the Victoria Memorial Arena, bringing many Buddy Couples from across Canada. With the Promenaders being in the forefront by hosting these dancers, many lasting friendships developed.
In 1972 The Promenaders held their First Annual Dinner Dance to bring to a close their dancing season. Four Squares of Promenaders went to the US National Convention in Anaheim, California to celebrate the US Bi-Centennial in 1976. That same year was the First Annual Bus Trip to Reno, Nevada hosted by the Webers and the Biebers.
In 1978, Doreen York (our first Lady President) initiated announcements at coffee break. The Promenaders were very busy holding special events and/or attending many functions. Among them were Special Birthday Proms, Club visitations to distant Clubs, Festival 1985, 1987, 1989 and the 5th National Convention in 1986. Four squares of Promenaders participated in the closing ceremonies of the XV Commonwealth Games held in Victoria in 1994. The Promenaders installed Ted & Nora Drysdale and Gerry & Ev Gerrard as the first Life Member Couples who had danced with the Club for 35 years in 1996.
In 1999 the Promenaders contributed memorabilia to a “Time Capsule”, located on the ceiling of the Royal Oak Women’s Institute hall, which was sealed at midnight December 31 – to be opened fifty years later – in 2049. The Promenaders hosted a Gala to celebrate Jack and Marg Webers 40 years of calling for our club in 2000. At the gala, Jack & Marg received The Award of Excellence from the Canadian Square and Round Dance Society, and also the Award of Merit from the Vancouver Island Western Round and Square Dance Association. The year 2001 brought honors to Jack and Marg Weber in the form of the Governor General’s Award for “Caring Canadians”.
Jack Weber passed away unexpectedly Christmas 2011 after 50 years of calling.
The position of Caller-Couple was assumed by Dave and Juanita Baird, who filled the position for 4 seasons, until failing health necessitated Dave's retirement at the close of the 2015 dance season. The club celebrated Dave's 30 years of calling in May 2015.
Elizabeth Hohner became the club caller in September 2015, bringing with her new energy and challenging the dancers with her surprise-filled patters. A definite "lesson in listening, and when not to anticipate calls".
Her careful use of the square dance basic moves allowed her to bring the level of the dances back up to Full Mainstream. Occasionally the 'seasoned dancers and advanced level dancers' who came out to enjoy the antics were tripped up by some of the basic moves, finding it quite challenging ... and it's always nice to hear such giggles and laughter from the floor following this Caller !
Club membership fluctuated through the years, some dancers dropping out due to health problems, some having difficulty keeping up on the dance floor, others simply found other interests. New members were always welcomed throughout the years.
As the 2018 dancing season came to a close, the Executive members decided that it was time to step down, but with no new club members wanting to serve in the various positions required to run the club, another decision needed to be made. The reins were handed over in July 2018, when Elizabeth decided that it would be a shame to see the Club fold, so she took on the task of a "Caller-Run Club".
She was able to keep the Club running with a profit until the end of the 2019-2020 season when the pandemic hit... Covid-19 shut down all dancing activities and with no money coming into the coffers from dances, and bank fees continuing to come out, the difficult decision to fold the Club was the next inevitable move.
It is with sadness that we saw this Club permanently close it's doors.
In 1961 the First Annual Promenader picnic was held at Langford Lake. The Promenaders had their first “Prom” in 1962. In 1964 the Royal Oak Hall became the permanent home hall for the Promenaders, dancing on the 2nd and 4th Fridays. That year they hosted the First Annual New Years Eve Dance. In 1967 the Centennial Train arrived at the Victoria Memorial Arena, bringing many Buddy Couples from across Canada. With the Promenaders being in the forefront by hosting these dancers, many lasting friendships developed.
In 1972 The Promenaders held their First Annual Dinner Dance to bring to a close their dancing season. Four Squares of Promenaders went to the US National Convention in Anaheim, California to celebrate the US Bi-Centennial in 1976. That same year was the First Annual Bus Trip to Reno, Nevada hosted by the Webers and the Biebers.
In 1978, Doreen York (our first Lady President) initiated announcements at coffee break. The Promenaders were very busy holding special events and/or attending many functions. Among them were Special Birthday Proms, Club visitations to distant Clubs, Festival 1985, 1987, 1989 and the 5th National Convention in 1986. Four squares of Promenaders participated in the closing ceremonies of the XV Commonwealth Games held in Victoria in 1994. The Promenaders installed Ted & Nora Drysdale and Gerry & Ev Gerrard as the first Life Member Couples who had danced with the Club for 35 years in 1996.
In 1999 the Promenaders contributed memorabilia to a “Time Capsule”, located on the ceiling of the Royal Oak Women’s Institute hall, which was sealed at midnight December 31 – to be opened fifty years later – in 2049. The Promenaders hosted a Gala to celebrate Jack and Marg Webers 40 years of calling for our club in 2000. At the gala, Jack & Marg received The Award of Excellence from the Canadian Square and Round Dance Society, and also the Award of Merit from the Vancouver Island Western Round and Square Dance Association. The year 2001 brought honors to Jack and Marg Weber in the form of the Governor General’s Award for “Caring Canadians”.
Jack Weber passed away unexpectedly Christmas 2011 after 50 years of calling.
The position of Caller-Couple was assumed by Dave and Juanita Baird, who filled the position for 4 seasons, until failing health necessitated Dave's retirement at the close of the 2015 dance season. The club celebrated Dave's 30 years of calling in May 2015.
Elizabeth Hohner became the club caller in September 2015, bringing with her new energy and challenging the dancers with her surprise-filled patters. A definite "lesson in listening, and when not to anticipate calls".
Her careful use of the square dance basic moves allowed her to bring the level of the dances back up to Full Mainstream. Occasionally the 'seasoned dancers and advanced level dancers' who came out to enjoy the antics were tripped up by some of the basic moves, finding it quite challenging ... and it's always nice to hear such giggles and laughter from the floor following this Caller !
Club membership fluctuated through the years, some dancers dropping out due to health problems, some having difficulty keeping up on the dance floor, others simply found other interests. New members were always welcomed throughout the years.
As the 2018 dancing season came to a close, the Executive members decided that it was time to step down, but with no new club members wanting to serve in the various positions required to run the club, another decision needed to be made. The reins were handed over in July 2018, when Elizabeth decided that it would be a shame to see the Club fold, so she took on the task of a "Caller-Run Club".
She was able to keep the Club running with a profit until the end of the 2019-2020 season when the pandemic hit... Covid-19 shut down all dancing activities and with no money coming into the coffers from dances, and bank fees continuing to come out, the difficult decision to fold the Club was the next inevitable move.
It is with sadness that we saw this Club permanently close it's doors.