Initially take steps to cover each social gathering (8)

I haven't cracked this one yet — but the brilliant team at Fifteensquared have:

Initial letter of T [ake] + DANCE (steps), covering EA (abbreviation for each). A dance party held in the late afternoon with tea and cake, as distinct from one held in the evening with wine and a main meal. A slightly weak clue because “dance” has the same meaning in both wordplay and definition.