Flash Dance: Lions and Contras and Boats, Oh My
Friday, July 11, 2008
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
Tonight’s Flash Dance is unique: Flash Dance a la carte.
Think of it as a three-course meal:
Appetizers: (5:00 – 7:00pm)
A) Swing Dance @ the Zoo with Kim Massie
and/or
B) Rent a boat and explore the Grand Basin by water
and/or
C) Grab dinner at the Boat House Café or at the Zoo.
(*Service at the Boat House is often slow; go early if you want to get to the Flash Dance by 7:00pm)
Main
Course (7:00 – 9:00-ish)
Flash Dance at the Grand Basin
The scenery here is wonderful. The Grand Basin has eight beautiful fountains in the center. Elegant bridges cross over the waterway and other railings take you out to a vista where you're surrounded by water on three sides. Other landings take you right down to the water's edge. As you waltz in the evening twilight and enjoy the sweet music, you'll also enjoy the people in paddleboats or rowboats. They'll be sure to love the free entertainment.
Flash Dance at the World's Fair Pavillion
July 11, 2008
Afternote: Well, it rained, so everyone just showed up at the backup location, the lovely World's Fair Pavilion (see below). Here's a movie of one of the contra dances we did there.
Dessert (9:00 or later)
Enjoy some Frozen Custard @ Ted Drewe’s on Chippewa
Maps of Forest Park
Here's a Forest Park map with red, green, yellow and purple circles showing Where we'll be.
Here's the original Forest Park map in pdf format, so you can reduce and enlarge it. (http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/parks/forestpark/ForestParkMap.pdf)
Here is a map of the Zoo in pdf format. (http://www.stlzoo.org/downloads/2006Map.pdf)
Suggested color to wear: Gold or White or Light-colored
In case of rain
If it rains, we'll hope no one has reserved the World's Fair Pavilion. (See map)
The World's 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. The area has just been redone and is gorgeous.
If the pavilion is unavailable, Plan C is Washington University's Brookings Hall. Call 618.444.4975 to confirm our location.
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 will 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!