Humboldt to hold Dance Week in hopes of moving city forward

The grieving process is well underway in Humboldt as the community begins to cope with the void left by the Broncos bus crash.

As funerals for the victims take place over the next week, the City of Humboldt is finding other ways for people to heal.

Dancing will take over the streets of Humboldt from April 16 to 22, as city administration proclaimed next week as Dance Week

Cori Norman has helped plan the On Stage Dance Festival since its inception. The three-day competition has taken place in Humboldt for the past 21 years and is set to begin its latest edition on Thursday.

“Whether we’re in the studio, on a dance floor, or dancing on the street on sheets of plywood, we’re celebrating all acts of dance,” she said.

When she approached Mayor Rob Muench, she said there was an instant agreement between the two on the idea of a week-long celebration.

“We want to do what’s best for the community,” Norman said. “We’re all here for the Bronco family.”

“Continuing with our plans and celebrations is part of the healing process.”

Kylie Redl-Gosselin is part owner of Impact Dance Company in Humboldt.

Since last Monday, the dance studio has been holding free classes for all those wishing to engage in a form of rhythmic therapy.

“We decided that our studio needed to be a haven for those kids to come and dance away whatever they needed to get out,” Redl-Gosselin said. “Or let them cry or forget what had happened and just be a dancer.”

Going forward with the festival isn’t just about getting a sense of normalcy back in the community, it can be both a distraction and form of tribute for the youth in the area.

“We’re there for them and they’re there for us and I think we needed each other,” Redl-Gosselin said, of the youth embracing the dance classes.

“Their smiling faces just kept us going.”

Both Norman and Redl-Gosselin are hopeful that Dance Week will help Humboldt take steps forward from the tragedy.

“We can all move on in a positive way,” Redl-Gosselin said. “It’s important to get out and smile.”

“These kids need to smile and have a good time.”

—With files from 650 CKOM’s Chris Vandenbreekel