ROME (AP) – Social distance is not usually part of the ballroom dance lexicon. But in an industrial zone on the outskirts of Rome, couples of all ages spin and spin across the dance floor, even through a pandemic, just as ballroom dancers around the world have been doing for decades.
Although much of Italy is in a coronavirus exclusion, with live music and theater performances excluded, cinemas are closed and many sporting activities restricted, but competitive ballroom dancing is alive here, albeit with caution.
The couples in the New Dancing Days Hall are preparing for the Italian Championships in Rimini in July and as such are allowed to continue practicing as the government views their activities in the national interest. This is the same allowance that has enabled other federally recognized competitive athletes to train in Italy, even during the last round of virus-related closures.
“Yes, we can do that. Here we can keep dancing, ”says Raffaella Serafini, the 45-year-old owner of New Dancing Days and a 35-year-old veteran of competitive ballroom dancing.
In the large hall with mirrors on the walls and multicolored lights, couples wear masks during warm-ups and breaks, but may remove them while performing traditional ballroom or Latin dances. Most keep them going anyway.
“It’s something beautiful for us because we’re older, but we can still put ourselves in the game,” said Franco Cauli, a 70-year-old dancer who is rehearsing with his 74-year-old partner for a competition at the end. April.
He said he feels safe with the health protocols taken by the school, saying participants respect them strictly.
The Italian Dance Sports Federation has decided that 34 athletes may practice in a school the size of New Dancing Days, and recognizes that continuity is needed in practice. Currently, there are 17 couples from nine to 76 years old who exercise up to five days a week.
From a vantage point above the dance floor, Serafini watches her revolving students and shouts their directions. If she sees something wrong, she stops the music, goes down to the dance floor and demonstrates the right way to take a step, pose or turn.
“School is my great pride. “When I see them on the dance floor, it’s like I’m there,” she said.
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