Flash Dance: National Night Out - Gurney Ct and Soulard

"Are you IN with being OUT?"

Ever hear of "flash mobs"?  -- They're seemingly spontaneous gatherings that bring people together for a brief period of time.  Well, this summer a few musicians and dancers are instigating "flash dances" -- opportunities to waltz in public or semi-public places to live tunes or recorded music.  We've had 14 dancers in Tower Grove Park's main bandstand in a great rainstorm, 25 dancers at the Forest Park's Grand Basin on the hottest day of the year and 50 dancers at Washington University on a gorgeous night.

• Tue Aug 3, 2004@ 7:30 pm
  
• Setting:
  Are you IN with being OUT?  Here's your chance to be OUT - well, outdoors at least.  Tue Aug 3 is National Night Out - a program that encourages neighbors to spend time together outside.  Thousands of block parties take place in cities across the country, and St. Louis is no exception.  This Flash Dance will start at 7:30 pm on Gurney Ct, a small cul-de-sac near Tower Grove Park and the Botanical Gardens.  We'll dance as part of the Gurney Ct Block Party.  In addition to waltzing, we'll have a few contras, swing tunes and other requests.  Afterwards, the group may visit other block parties in the neighborhood or drive to Soulard for the 11th street party and/or some snacks at Martha Edwards & Bob Green's party suite, making it a "double progression" evening. 
  
• Where to Park:
  Take Hwy 40 or 44 to Kingshighway and go south.  About a half-mile south of 44, turn LEFT on Magnolia.  (This is the northern boundary of Tower Grove Park.)  Gurney Ct will be on your left about 50 yards east of Kingshighway.  Since Gurney Ct will be closed to traffic, park on Magnolia next to Tower Grove Park
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• Scenery:
  Gurney Court is a charming cul-de-sac of 18 two-story brick homes that go back to the early 1900s.  The elliptical street has a grassy area in the center of the court.  Soulard is an historic neighborhood with lots of charm. The Greenhouse is a wonderful party suite.  www.westendweb.com/greenhouse
  
• Dance Surface: asphalt
  
• In Case of Rain: call 618.444.4975 or 314.771.9113.  We may move to a pavilion in Tower Grove Park.
  
• 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 a quick lesson.  If you're a caller, bring your cards.  If you're a musician, bring your instrument.  Otherwise we'll enjoy CDs with beautiful tunes.  If you have a camera, please bring it. 
  
• RSVP: Not needed, but helpful. You can contact Greg Rohde at grjmj@swbell.net or 314.771.5975.