Flash Dance: Fleet Feet (Boating & Waltzing)
Thursday June 23, 2005 (5:30 Boating, 7:15 Dancing)
Join us for boating and waltzing on a Mid-Summer Eve on Thu June 23.
Come celebrate the longest day of the year and a full moon – a
day or two late.
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
How to find us / Where to park
- Enter Forest Park from Hampton Ave off Hwy 40.
- Take this road into the park until it dead ends and make a sharp left turn. (The zoo will be on your left.)
- Take this street downhill until it dead-ends.
- Turn RIGHT on Government Drive.
- Go about 200 yards and you’ll see a large fountain on your right (at the base of the hill for the World Fair Pavilion).
- The Boathouse will be on your left about 100 yards away.
- Park between the large fountain and the Boat House.
- Here’s a map of Forest Park: http://www.explorestlouis.com/pdf/maps/forestPark.pdf
Suggested color to wear: Yellow or White
Setting & Scenery: Forest Park Boat House & Post-Dispatch Lake
Come
to the Boathouse (here circled in blue) between 5:30 - 6:00 if you
want to rent a boat and join an armada of dancers for an hour or more.
Paddleboats and rowboats are $15/hour and accommodate up to 3 or 4
people (560 lbs max). You can make advance arrangements with someone
or hang out dockside and rent a boat with the next dancers who show
up looking for a crew. (Most dancers will be wearing yellow or white.)
The lake was totally redone a few years ago, so if you haven’t seen this St. Louis treasure lately, you’re in for a treat. You can spot egrets, heron, turtles, dancers, and other wildlife while enjoying great views of the park. Boating details: http://boathouseforestpark.com/boat_rental_info.asp (The Boat House has restrooms if you need to change.)
After
our fleet returns, you can take your fleet feet and head to our dance
area (circled in red on the map above), a site about 100 yards away
from the Boat House. We’ll
dance in a grassy area between the Boat House and the Zoo, at the base
of the hill for the World’s Fair Pavilion. The bike path has
an unused spur there, so you can dance on the concrete and not worry
about being run down by a cyclist.
Our spot is nestled in a grove of
pine trees if you want to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic by the
water. Come at 7:15 if you want to join us and dance under a full moon.
We’ll provide entertainment for boaters, people dining at the
Boathouse café, cyclists, and people heading to the Muny or
Shakespeare Festival. Non-dancing friends can rent a boat and enjoy
watching us from the water. Afterwards, you can head home or head back
to the Boathouse Café for food or drinks.
In case of rain, we'll hope no one has reserved the World's Fair Pavilion
- 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.
- Kids Welcome
Know dancers in other cties?
Send them this link so they can host their own Flash Dances: http://www.childgrove.org/flashdances/flashdance_howto.htm
Happy Dancing!