Dancing all the time

So a few blogs ago I mentioned discovering that the AMNH throws a party once every 2 months or so, to raise funds and get new bodies into the building. Without doing too much (or indeed, any!) research, I just got a small group of people together and we went. (as an aside, people tell you that they want to dance, but life inevitably gets in the way, in the end there were 5 of us, and that is actually a perfect number, enough for a group feel but not so many that we pulled in different directions)

Anyways, we were driven there, which is untold luxury in new york city by one of my friends, who then parked in the AMNH, really, I realize that I drive everywhere in Sydney and to non Manhattanites this may not be such a big deal, but I'm never driven anywhere within the city, so that added to our excitement.

We got there, and I realized that I had no idea what was meant to happen. I thought there would be a dj and lots of dancing. Instead there was some music, but there were 3 acts and a focal stage point. DH's immediate criticism was that the lighting was awful, especially when the potential was so high. The room is so interesting and you could do all sorts of things, but they did the most minimal, and it was way too light from the ordinary lights upstairs.

And then the first act came on. Everyone sang to click tracks, so they weren't bands strictly speaking. I thought that was a bit odd, but no one else seemed to mind, so they must be used to that concept.

The first act was called ninjasonik and they were just appalling. So bad they were like a send up. They had this kind of beat back ground and would shout 'fuck' every second word, and had lyrics like 'I want a fuck, someone's gonna get pregnant' and that was the entire song, just repeat for 3 mins.

I had that dreadful embarrassment you get when you set something up and it becomes your responsibility if it was good or bad. DH went and looked up on his iphone if there was somewhere better near by. But thankfully their set ended and some danceable if bland music came on, and so we bopped and waited to see what would happen next.


Thankfully the next guy - Theophilus London- was much better. He sang some songs that I actually liked, especially the humdrum town song, and had a lovely smooth voice and was danceable. So we stayed and danced some more and thought, well, that was an experience.



But then the third and final act came on - the Very Best (such a stupid name!) with people from all over, but with a real African flavor. So it was African hip hop and it was just amazing. We were all jumping by the end, they had such energy and an fantastic sound, so much better!

So I'm going to try for the next one... because I'll dance every chance I can get!

Dreams Made Flesh

On the w/e we went and saw Fuerzabruta from the same folks who brought De La Guarda - this dream like dance visuals, it's hard to explain. You stand the entire time, and the event goes on around you. Actually, it felt like going to a rave, with that music and lights and then there were people swooping from the ceiling (on wire) and doing amazing things with water. It was both dream like and edgy. I said to DH we really have to go to Argentina for a rave one day, because what they are bringing to us is just amazing.

How we came into being

I was sitting with Friends telling them of the interesting quirky things I was doing. And they told me of the interesting quirky things they were doing. And we decided that a blog listing/linking all our quirky interests as we hang about New York City, would be a good thing. So here we are...

I'll give you the 3 examples that started this conversation off:

1. Dance Dance Party Party is a weekly event that takes place in a dance school near Astor Place. Women only, you basically arrive in your gym gear at 4pm and dance, jump, even skip should the mood take you, in a darkened room lit by one of those daggy disco balls. A fabulous time is had by all. I love to dance, and hate that you can only start at midnight! Starting at 4pm (sans liquor) did seem a bit early to me, and it took me about 15 mins to get into it, but by the time Jump (for your love) came on, I was jumping with the best of them. We were all singing out loud to Gloria (I was surprised at how 80's the music was. Apparently the DJ's - any participant who wants to - makes the Ipod list - and the music varies wildly.)
I was properly exhausted after 1 1/2 hours of full on dancing but my feet didn't ache - because I had been wearing the right shoes!! Will definitely go again.

2. Didn't make it but loved the idea of going to a loft in Tribeca to listen to jazz! Someone kindly forwarded me their email and I'll definitely make it to the next one.

3. Upright Citizen's Brigade for affordable, very funny improv

And that's how we started.

Doing anything interesting and quirky? Tell us, we'll add it to the list. Someone wants to know about this stuff, and how much easier if it is all one page!