Tufts Blogs

For those of you who are worried that my friend, James, is about to get into a rumble with the Sharks and Jets, never fear, this picture is not what it seems. While things are very different this year, Tufts clubs are still trying their best to proceed with “normal” activities. This year, for the Tufts Tap Ensemble, “normal” looks like tapping in a parking garage.

Let me explain how clubs are operating this year. All clubs that can operate virtually have been advised to do so. In light of this encouragement, Tufts Tap is conducting our rehearsals over Zoom. Our tappers are finding places in their houses or dorms to tap, and making the best of the situation. James and I, trying to ensure that the people in our dorms don't hate us for making too much noise, are dancing in a parking garage.

While this may seem subpar, we are truly having a blast (as well as freezing slowly). As a social person, the important thing to me is always doing activities with other people, and by wearing our masks and staying six-feet apart, James and I can follow Covid guidelines, while having fun and learning our dances. 

So that covers the main purpose of the club, but something great about most of the clubs here is the effort they make to foster community. As one of the social chairs for Tufts Tap, I am in charge of organizing social(ly-distanced) events. How do we keep those fun? I’m glad you asked. We initiated our five wonderful new tappers two weekends ago with a sort-of scavenger hunt. Each group of new tappers was told to complete tasks with two upperclassmen who they had to find at designated spots on campus. For example, the other social chair and I made socially-distanced handshakes with the groups on the top of the Memorial Steps. This way, everyone got to know everyone, albeit, in a very short amount of time. It was more of an amuse-bouche kind of situation than an entrée.

Since then, we have organized weekly lunches with small groups. At the beginning of each week, I assign four or five people to a group, and they put together their own socially-distanced lunch or activity for the week. The next week, we switch groups and get to mix with new people!

Each week, the tap sophomores get our Sunday dinners together and relax on the president’s lawn. Last Sunday, we realized that even though we have all of this delicious food in our dining halls, the one thing we really miss, as crazy as it sounds, is PB+J sandwiches, something we can’t easily get here. So this Sunday, we are going to divide up a loaf of bread and have a PB+J dinner night! Are you guys jelly?

We are still working on our next event, but some ideas we have been brainstorming include a virtual movie night, perhaps a tap classic like Singing in the Rain, a virtual Kahoot night, with a homemade Kahoot featuring fun facts about each tap member, and Zoom speed dating, to get to know everyone in tap!

This year is definitely different. We aren’t having a performance with a live audience or eating tap brunches together, but that doesn’t mean that different is bad. After all, when else would I get the chance to tap in a parking garage? My Emma’s Advice for today is to make sure you join clubs that you enjoy in college, with people who value getting to know you beyond the club. The tappers in Tufts Tap don’t just tap together, we get meals together, we do homework together, and we enjoy hanging out together. The ideal club in one that encompasses the activity you love, while also fostering a strong sense of community. When you’re a Tufts tapper, you’re a Tufts tapper all the way!