Flash Dance #4: Three Steps to Becoming a Grate Waltzer
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Tuesday, July 18, 7:00 pm
SLU's Clocktower & Fountains
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: SLU's Clocktower
St. Louis University's Clocktower - at West
Pine & Spring
- it's now a pedestrian mall, so the streets don't cut through
the campus.
Where to Park, How to Find Us:
Park on Lindell near Spring. Take Hwy 44 or 40 to Grand and go north. Turn Left on Lindell and look for parking spots near Spring, which is one long block away. (Parking meters are free after 7 pm.) You'll find a parking garage and many more available parking meters at Laclede & Spring, two blocks south of Lindell.
Whether you park at Lindell & Spring or Laclede & Spring, enter SLU's campus through the huge gates. The clock tower will be immediately in front of you, about 100 yards ahead.
Click here for maps: http://www.slu.edu/campusmap/pdf_maps/section_1_of_3.pdf
Want to Learn a New Move?
As always, free lessons will be offered for anyone who has never waltzed before. At 7:00, we'll also offer an intermediate lesson, teaching the "Skater Moves" from Wayne Albright and Gaye Fifer's web page. See http://www.wa64.com/skaterswhoosh.html
What makes this place Special?
Talk about beauty. This space has it all: gorgeous flowers, cascading waterfalls, a babbling brook, playful fountains, statues of athletic men and women, and an amphitheater with eight levels to dance on. What more could you ask for?
This space has at least three main dance venues:
1) The Clocktower is surrounded by a circular grate you can walk on. About every 4 feet, is a 10 ft column of water. You can safely dance around the edge of the space and stay quite dry.
Or, if you (and your partner!) prefer, you can be a grate waltzer, dancing in-between the water columns and let a little spray drip on you as you safely dance inside the perimeter of water.
(Dress appropriately — soaking or non-soaking section?)
2) Next to the Clocktower is an amphitheater with eight different levels, each one large enough for a couple. A cascading waterfall bisects the amphitheater and gorgeous flowers and bronze sculptures of athletic men and women are nearby.
3) Just behind the Amphitheater is a beautiful stream with several waterfalls and pools. You can waltz on a wooden bridge, on the grass, or on a flagstone landing near the water.
Suggested color: SLU BLUE
Alternate Locations:
In case of rain, head for the Pius XII Library, 100 yards east of the Clocktower (just past Cupples House). We'll be near the front doors or somewhere along the perimeter, where the overhang will keep us dry. See map: http://www.slu.edu/campusmap/pius.html
In case SLU's Campus Police doesn't appreciate our presence and we're expelled, we'll transfer to Washington University. We'll dance in or near the quad at Brookings Hall, the castle-looking building on the top of the hill just west of Skinker. (Call 618.444.4975 to confirm our location.)
Map for Brookings Hall: http://www.wustl.edu/tour/danforth/
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!