A CULTURE OF GATHERING Do Si Do
with Lacey Squier & Lucy Soderstrom
O n a summer evening just outside of Ely, the sound of fiddles and the rhythm of stomping feet rise from a crowded barn. Children chase farm puppies, elders trade smiles as they twirl, and strangers link hands like longtime friends. Events like this—Ely Folk School’s barn dance at Ethel’s Acres—may be rooted in old-fashioned tradition, but they remain as alive and vital as ever. Why? For many, it comes down to connection. “To dance with people, you have to look them in the eye, you have to hold hands,” said Lucy Soderstrom. “There is power in this genuine and physical engagement with people of all ages and all levels of friendship. Whether it’s a stranger, an
acquaintance, or a best friend, moving together builds trust.”
That sense of trust and belonging is part of a wider hunger. “We know that loneliness is one of the medical and mental health challenges of our times,” observed Lacey Squier. “People are realizing there’s no replacement for in-person social connections.” Traditions like dancing or learning old-fashioned skills are more than nostalgic gestures—they are ways of keeping knowledge alive across generations. To learn a dance from someone older or to teach a younger dancer a step connects you
ELY, MN ARTS & CULTURE JOURNAL
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