Flash Dance: Dances With Turtles
Tuesday June 7, 2005 at 5:30 pm
DANCES WITH TURTLES
Kevin Costner may have the corner on "Dances with Wolves", but here's your chance to be "Dances With Turtles"! Our next Flash Dance will be Tue Jun 7 @ 5:30 pm at Turtle Park. Stick your neck out and join us!
Ever hear of "flash mobs"? They're spontaneous gatherings that briefly bring people together on short notice. Well, here's your chance to join dancers and musicians for a "flash dance" -- an opportunity to waltz or contra in a public place to recorded or live music. For more on "Flash Dances" see: http://www.childgrove.org/flashdances/flashdance_howto.htm
The photos of dancing were taken by Dan Klarman. Thanks, Dan!
Setting & Scenery:
Turtle Park
Even if you don't recognize the park's name, you've probably noticed it as you've crawled along Hwy 40 slower than a testudine. Turtle Park has some massive sculptures: 7 turtles, a clutch of turtle eggs, and two huge snakes. It's at Oakland & Tamm, immediately across from the Zoo's parking lot. (Oakland is immediately south of Hwy 40. The Tamm Overpass is west of Hampton and east of Skinker/McCausland).
We'll waltz amidst the turtles and contra on a grassy stretch just
west of the Overpass. We may even try a dance on the Tamm Overpass
sidewalk, where we can entertain eastbound fans heading in for the
Cardinals game or westbound commuters heading home. (One sidewalk can
be for northbound waltzers and the other for southbound!). If we do
a contra, we'll make sure no one plummets over the edge, so no wild
twirling. We even have a dance that was written just for the occasion:
the Turtle Park Slide.
RSVP for Food
Turtle Sundaes / Imo's Pizza
After dancing, you can enjoy some Turtle Sundaes* on the Turtles, or feast on take-out Imo's Pizza. If you want ice cream, veggie pizza or carnivorous pizza, contact Margaret (Stacy) Gaal at 781.0668 or mgaalstacy@yahoo.com and let her know your preferences. We'll ask for a donation to cover our costs. There are no picnic tables, so you may want a blanket. We may even have a rendition of "Yertle the Turtle" to continue our theme. To top it off, Turtle Park's swing sets accommodate 12 adults. Come out of your shell and play!
*PETA Members: No turtles were harmed in the making of the Turtle Sundaes.
Where to Park
Turtle Park has a parking lot just E of the Tamm Overpass. Oakland has plenty of street parking. Parking is forbidden on the Tamm Overpass. (The Overpass has four "No Parking" signs and zero "No Dancing" signs).
Here's a map: Turtle Park is #17 http://www.explorestlouis.com/pdf/maps/forestPark.pdf
Suggested Color
Red (Go Cards!)
Bonus Point if you wear a Cardinals cap. Double bonus points if you bring a cap for someone else.
Dance Surface
Gravel, Grass, Concrete
In Case of Rain
We'll hope no one has reserved the World's Fair
Pavilion in Forest Park.
- See #18 on this map: http://www.explorestlouis.com/pdf/maps/forestPark.pdf
- The World' Fair Pavilion is the large Spanish-looking building on top of the hill immediately across the road from the Boat House and the Post-Dispatch Lake.
- Closest parking is on Concourse Drive, a little-known one-way street you can find between the Jewel Box and the Muny Opera.
- Easiest Parking is next to the Lake, then walk up the big hill.
- See the map or call 618.444.4975.
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 musician and want to play, bring your instrument. Otherwise we'll enjoy CDs with beautiful tunes.
- We may include some contras, so if you're a caller, bring your cards.
- If you have a camera, please bring it.
- This is a noisy venue, so adjust your acoustical expectations.
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!