Dance, dance, dance

At the before mentioned birthday party (see “Will You Be My Neighbour?”) there was a dance party. Dance parties are quite common with my friends here in Vancouver. There is a good love of good music and people who who are ready for fun. How could we NOT dance?

Well. I didn’t want to dance. Things started hopping around midnight – and I was tired. Sheri is often responsible for getting things going. She and Hans. I was drawn in by a song that was promised to be epic. Chris Brown, “Forever”.  A much loved song by our folks, and a much loved moment in “The Office”.

That was followed by more treasures by the Arcade Fire, MGMT, M. Ward, and more – closing with a little “One, Two, Three, Four” by Feist. A nice wind down and awesome singalong. We gave it our all.

(I didn’t get any pictures of last night, but here are pictures of our Halloween party, just to give you an idea of what I’m talking about).

Dance on!

Heather

This post has its roots in spontaneity

My friend hosted an impromptu Christmas slumber party this evening, which I attended. I didn’t stay overnight, because I spent the day out on a trip, and I was too tired. I came home to my lovely bed; but before I sleep in it, I give you:

#20 – Dance Party

The tasks for our slumber party included:

1. Eat chili (check)
2. Drink glögg (check)
3. Make a gingerbread house (check)
4. Paint with snow spray (check)
5. Watch a Christmas movie and sleep (I left before this part)

So, there I am, mixing up some icing sugar and egg white and I realize that I have no music. Music, at this point in the game, is a must. I have various favourite baking (in this case “baking”) soundtracks, but my all-time favourite is Burt Bacharach & Friends Gold Vol. I (trade secret). We thought Christmas music was a must, but then Brittany put on one of the best Chinese dance songs of all time. It’s a re-make (?) of that Czech (?) song that everyone loved for a while… except it has the Chinese lyrics, “When I see a cockroach, I am not scared, not scared!”

For me, these lyrics are all too apropos.

Anyhow, I hope I can upload some of these video clips… I kept ‘em short…
aaaaand that’s not allowed. Rats. The videos are amazing. You can see one of them on Facebook, until I get smarter.

Sara

My Life Is A Freaking Dance Party

I dance.  A lot.  It just happens, regardless of location or musical genre.

I would dance at work, and convince others to join me.  I often interpretive dance for my best friend while he just watches, unimpressed (I know he’s my best friend because no one else sees me dance like that).  I dance in the kitchen, I dance in the car, I dance while I’m out walking and think no one’s watching.

(Side thought: maybe there’s a children’s book in there?  Don’t steal the idea, I’ve maimed for less than intellectual copyright).

So, as previously mentioned, life this week hasn’t exactly been dance-worthy.  But I woke up this morning with a catchy tune in my head, and realized that maybe an all-out-extreme-dance-party is exactly what I need.  Enter leg-warmers and The Extreme Dance Playlist (yes, I previously had made an Extreme-Dance Playlist for times like this).

Extreme Dance Playlist:

1. The Fallen – Franz Ferdinand (“some say you’re trouble, boy…”)
2. Train in Vain – The Clash (great song when you’re feeling bitter)
3. Buddy Holly – Weezer (check out the Buddy Holly picture!)
4. Combat Baby – Metric (this is the one I woke up singing; fabulous air-puncher)
5. All These Things I’ve Done – The Killers (hopeful in lyric and tune; ”if you can hold on, hold on…”)
6. Waterloo – ABBA (does not need explanation)
7. The Blues Are Still Blue – Belle Sebastian (“the kid with the will to funk, he dances in secret, he’s a part-time punk”)
8. I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ – Scissor Sisters (irony! ah!)
9. Shake Shake Tambourine (Black Tambourine Remix) – Beck/Ad-Rock (this is the song I want to make a dance video to for my funeral… what?)
10. Does Your Mother Know – ABBA (yeah, ABBA never needs explanation)
11. Arms As Straight As Cedar Trees – Boats (these folks are just amazing fun)
12. She’s a Rebel – Green Day (I’m sorry, I thought the name of the song would be explanation enough)
13. Valhalla – k-os with Sam Roberts (excellent clapping in this tune)
14. A-Punk – Vampire Weekend (this ditty makes me want to twist and jump and whatnot)
15. Are You Gonna Be My Girl – JET (it’s a jump-twirl and pose song)
16. Dead Disco – Metric (try to not dance… no really, just try)
17. Alright – Supergrass (“we are young, we are free… we’re alright… we are strange in our worlds”)

And for when things are winding down but you still want to dance (songs aren’t as air-punch worthy):

1. Feels Just Like It Should – Jamiroquai (I never feel cool enough to dance to this song but I just… can’t… stop)
2. 12:51 – The Strokes (head down arm-puncher)
3. 1901 – Phoenix (this one’s for bobbing and shuffling)
4. Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes (are you kidding? of course it’s on here)
5. Bust Your Windows – Jazmine Sullivan (oh, she’s hella bitter… maybe I can relate?)
6. Good Old Days – Yes Nice (lifts you up a bit from the last one)
7. I’m Yours – Jason Mraz (well this is a nice poppy one to end on, yes?)

By the way, it was a lovely party.  You should have come and dodged my air-punches.

Jennifer

Welcome to The List II

6 women (see “Participants”)

3 continents (see the locations in “Participants”)

27 challenges (see “Items of The List II”)

1.5 months (December 1, 2009 – January 15, 2010)

many reasons (see “What Is The List II?”)

1 blog (bravo! you’ve found it!)

hopefully regular updates and reflections on how we’re all faring with this undertaking…