Dance pavilions turn to daytime events as popularity grows

Daytime dances are gaining popularity at dance pavilions in Finland, Yle reports. The Riutta pavilion in Riihimäki will hold its first daytime dance event on Sunday, while the Kapakanmäki pavilion in Tuulos has built a successful audience after years of effort.

Riutta, which reopened after renovation, has attracted hundreds of dancers each week this summer. Its opening event drew more than 1,000 people, while its best Saturday evenings have exceeded 500 visitors. Wednesday dances have attracted between 200 and 400 people per evening.

Riutta’s owners, Marika Lehtinen Romppainen and her spouse Mikko, said their first summer in charge had met, and possibly exceeded, their expectations.

The pavilion will test daytime dances for the first time on Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. The owners are also considering a younger programme for Wednesday evenings next summer, whose attendance has fluctuated more than on Saturdays.

The pavilion’s original wooden dance floor has continued to generate discussion among dancers. It was too sticky after the renovation, but required additional sanding to make it more slippery, Lehtinen Romppainen said. The floor has been treated with oil wax, which helps it withstand winter cold better than a lacquered surface.

Minna and Pekka Kemppi from Hyvinkää are regular visitors to Riutta. Minna Kemppi has attended 12 times this summer and said the floor had improved considerably. She uses kinesiology tape on the soles of her dance shoes to increase their glide.

The Kemp­pis said they value the pavilion’s atmosphere and sense of community, as well as the opportunity to meet friends, listen to music and exercise. Weekday dances also allow Minna Kemppi to attend after work and return home in time for a full night’s sleep.

At Kapakanmäki, daytime dances have grown in popularity year by year. The pavilion’s average attendance is about 370 people, compared with around 450 at Friday evening dances.

“It took ten years before the daytime dances began to work,” pavilion manager Kari Lehtonen said.

Lehtonen said this summer had been very successful, with attendance at the Thursday daytime dances increasing by several dozen people at almost every event.

Both pavilions are balancing the cost of providing quality programmes with keeping ticket prices reasonable. Tickets cost 22 to 25 euros at Riutta and 20 to 35 euros at Kapakanmäki.

Lehtonen said consumers’ financial situation was visible at different event evenings, although not at the dances. Kapakanmäki has sometimes cut the costs of Friday dances by leaving out a second band.

Large event evenings have been more difficult for Kapakanmäki because of strong competition from festivals and other celebrations during the summer. The pavilion turns 60 this year, with an anniversary Nostalgia Evening planned for Friday, August 14. Dallapé, Komiat and Dimitri Keiski and ENO are scheduled to perform, and the organisers hope to fill the venue.