One of Saskatchewan’s oldest entertainment venues, Danceland was built north of the province’s capital near Manitou Beach in 1928. Originally the hall operated only during the prairie summer, offering a tourist destination for up to 5000 visitors that sought the beach by day, and the social events hosted at the hall each night.
Danceland is known as the “Home of the World Famous Dance Floor Built on Horsehair”. The 5000 sq. ft. dance floor still has the original maple hardwood on top of a cushion of horsehair, for an unbelievably easy-on-the legs dancing experience. It is likely one of the few remaining examples of this type of dancefloor left in the world.
Many previous owners have had a hand in keeping this iconic venue alive. Current owners Arnold and Millie Strueby took possession in 2001, and have been operating Danceland as a year-round venue, used for many different functions such as weddings, anniversaries, conventions and other special events.
The hall has seen many big touring artists perform. “It was stated that Mark Kenny and the Western Gentlemen, Wilf Carter, Don Messer and the Islanders, Bobby Gimby and the Happy Gang, Buddy Knox, Gene Dloughy, The Guess Who, Clem Gelowitz (and recently Prairie Oyster, Stuart Mclean) and many, many more performed at Danceland,” notes Mille, adding that they were left with no records or memorabilia, leaving them to rely on memories.
“For the past 14 years we have had people walking in the venue for exercise as well as a social coffee place. We are open every day year round, and welcome tourists and residents to the beach.”
Since the 1950s, Danceland owners have continued the tradition of hosting dances every Saturday night in the summer; and year-round since 1996.
Strueby concludes, “We as owners have added the Toonie Tuesday night June through September, as well as Friday night dances in July and August. For seven years we also had Sunday Gospel Shows. We offer a buffet before every 4-hour dance or performance, and concession and bar which are open year-round. We also have special dance groups coming every year, like the U of S Ballroom Crystal Ball dance, Pattern Dance Jamboree, Square Dance Jamboree, and some other special dance groups! The dance floor resting on horsetail is our claim to fame, and we are known throughout the world as a wonderful floor to dance on. Our patrons go home with happy memories after each function.”
For more information, visit www.danceland.ca. You can also check out the Danceland documentary, part of the series “Ediface & Us”, online at: https://youtu.be/qZLDNuznf6c
Photo source: www.saskatchewanderer.ca,
