Flash Dance #8: By Request - Carondelet Park
 The Boat House at Carondelet Park |
Thursday, August 24, 7:00 pm
Ever hear of "flash mobs"? They're spontaneous gatherings that bring people together on short notice for a brief period of time. Well, here's your chance to join dancers and musicians for a "flash dance" – an opportunity to waltz or contra in a public place. For more on "Flash Dances" see: http://www.childgrove.org/flashdances/flashdance_howto.htm
Place: Carondelet Park's Boat House
Alice suggested this place two years ago. It just took a while to bubble up to the top.
Linda suggested the date — a date when a great dancer from New England will be in from out of town to see what this Flash Dancing is all about. Let's show him a great crowd.
(Who said Flash Dancing doesn't take requests?)
As a matter of fact, our mystery guest (pictured to the right) agreed to offer a mini-workshop and teach us a few intermediate moves at 7:00 pm. Future Flash Dances may also include more "move swaps"as this one did, where leads and followers can informally teach each other new moves so we all become better dancers. Some crazy fool even suggested we try a "Zwiefacher", a Bavarian dance which mixes waltz moves (in 3/4) with pivots (in 2/4)!
After the dance, several of us went to Ted Drewes, where Linda and Kent did a Zwiefacher, and Officer Bob demonstrated a DWI test, which was then used to test Stephanie.
Where to Park, How to Find Us:
How to Find Us:
Here are some maps. They're from Google, so you can zoom in and out, and drag them around. Zoom in using the satellite map to see the Boathouse (it's on the east side of the lake in the middle):
Directions:
- Take Interstate 55 to Loughborough Exit and go West (toward the new Schnucks/Lowe's/etc)
- Stay on Loughborough for less than a half mile and park in the 3800 block of Loughborough. (You'll pass, Eugene, then Field, then Hurst).
The numbers go up as you go west from Interstate 55.
- Get out of your car and look to your right. You'll see the boathouse a short walk away.
What makes this place Special?
What makes this place Special?
Gorgeous building. Nice setting over a lake. This is St. Louis' third largest park, after Forest Park and Tower Grove Park, and was originally built because South siders thought the new Forest Park was too far away. These days, it's a well-lit, well-used park with a nice neighborhood feel to it. Geoff Seitz' violin shop is just down the street on Loughborough, near Morganford.
The Park actually has 3 great venues. In case the rangers ask for a permit, we'll move from Plan A to Plan B or maybe even Plan C.
Plan BPlan A - The Boat House (see picture above)
Plan B - a pavilion with a wooden dance floor, 30 yards from the Boat House.
Plan C
Plan C - a pavilion with ornate woodwork, but with picnic tables to dance around, 100 yards from the Boat House.
What band?
Musicians are invited to bring their instruments for an Open Band. Let Greg know if you want to play. Otherwise, we'll rely on our handy-dandy boombox plus CDs.
Other Details:
- Feel free to invite other dancers, musicians, or spectators.
- No partner or experience necessary.
- If you've never tried waltzing, but always wanted to learn, experienced dancers will gladly offer you a lesson.
- If you're a musician and want to play, bring your instrument. Otherwise we'll enjoy CDs.
- If you have a camera, please bring it.
Know Dancers in Other Cities?
Send them this link so they can host their own Flash Dances: http://www.childgrove.org/flashdances/flashdance_howto.htm
Happy Dancing!