Del Sarte Dance Club, the student-run organization at SUNY Oswego which has performed a recital at waterman theatre in Tyler Hall every semester for several years, is returning to the stage on Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 for its first in-person performance since Nov. 2019. 

COVID-19 and the restrictions that came with the virus had sidelined the club’s ability to perform for a crowd in the theatre. The spring 2020 recital was cancelled due to students being sent home from campus and the fall 2020 and spring 2021 recitals were not able to be held due to capacity limitations on campus. 

Gabriele Candela, the president of Del Sarte this academic year, gleamed when explaining what the return of the recital and club in general means to her. 

“The first word that comes to mind is obviously exciting,” Candela said. “But of course nerve-wracking too. Basically, it has been two long years since we have been on stage. We are all just super pumped and excited to be back on stage, be back together, have an audience packed out to show all of our friends and family our dances.” 

Madeline Cornish, who is in charge of public relations for the club shared a similar sentiment to Candela’s. Cornish acknowledges that this is the first time the e-board has been able to put on a show, after having to endure the pause of last year. 

“We are so proud of each other and the whole club,” Cornish said. “Putting this all together with whatever restrictions, like masks. I just think it is so exciting to be back on stage and get out there and dance for everyone.” 

The crowd will even get to see the dancers’ faces, Candela explained, as the restrictions will not apply to dancers while they perform. Similar to the policy for indoor athletic events this semester on SUNY Oswego. 

“They are allowing us to take our masks off on stage,” Candela said. “As long as we show a negative COVID test the week of [the recital]. So, we are allowed to dance maskless. We still have to wear one backstage. Then the audience will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test, but no seating restrictions except the first two rows being blocked off.” 

The club has had to revitalize itself following COVID-19, as many members graduated and it was hard to do recruitment through Zoom last year. Still, according to the e-board involvement has been a pleasant surprise. 

“Our club basically thrives off on face to face interaction,” Candela said. “In the studio, on the stage in Waterman every semester. So, last year we had to go completely virtual and everybody was sick of Zoom quickly. It was a disappointing year. This year has been our rebuilding semester. 50% of our club is new. We really rebuilt ourselves to what we used to be though.” 

Cornish explained how this has helped advertising and public relations for the club as well. 

“This year you see our signs all over campus,” Cornish said. “Social media has become a big part of our club and is a place a lot of people get our updates from. If the dancers need to know, it comes right through our social media. Being able to be creative with that is what helps.”

The club will do a “Laker takeover” of SUNY Oswego’s Instagram before the show but Candela stressed that going to the show will be the only way to get the full effect. The week leading up to the recital has been filled with practice and dress rehearsals as the club comes full circle in two years. 

The return of Del Sarte has been the branding of the event and will be open to the public at 7 p.m. on Nov 20 and 2 p.m. on Nov. 21.

Image via Laker Life