For all the music there is in this town, and all the pretty people eager to inhabit the limelight, not many seem to want to grab the spotlight by cutting the rug. At rock club after rock club I see people standing around stoically as bands blast their mightiest and thrash about, sweat flying.
What’s up with that?
Yeah, okay, there are the DJ Dance clubs, if you’re into that scene, but I’m not. I go to rock clubs. And in the rock clubs, even when the band is totally rockin, pouring their hearts out for us, noooot a lotta dancin’, with the exception of a girlfriend or two. Mosh pits I suppose would be the arguable exception, but I’m a rather petite female and not really partial to broken ribs. And frankly some thinly veiled assault for the sake of shear aggression just doesn’t quite qualify as dancing in my book.
So why the lack of motion in the face of heart-pounding rhythms? Is it fear of one’s hair being disrupted, make-up running, slinky designer garments stained if a sweat is cracked? It’s not like this everywhere. People shake and wriggle more in NorCal, and folks in the south tear up the floor without a care in the world.
I’m out of my element in this regard. I love to dance! At clubs, weddings, or beaches, or hell, in my living room with a funk CD blasting and a few friends, I will be that oddball out there unable to maintain her dignity and stand still. In case there are more of you out there, here are a few suggestions:
The Dragonfly, 6510 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood – The D’fly, a venue I like anyway, with its spacious rooms, twinkling outdoor patio in back, friendly staff, and lack of Sunset Strip parking headaches, is launching a new dance night on Fridays. I hear the plan is to do a simultaneous live webcast inviting viewers around the world to check out the happenin’ action in L.A. It was too late for review, but it sounds like it’s going to be hopping and I intend to check it out.
Farmer’s Market/The Grove – Okay, Mardi Gras was a blast at the Farmer’s Market recently, with such good music that took me right back to my Louisiana days and the carefree drinking and dancing out of doors. Surprisingly, the Farmer’s Market has all manner of music for every occasion, especially on the weekends. So check out the website for upcoming events - www.farmersmarketla.com/newsandevents
Lula Washington Dance Collective, 3373 S. Crenshaw Blvd., L.A. – My favorite class here is the African dance class with Mirriam on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 6:30. Talk about the ultimate aerobic workout! Mixed with a hearty dose of total euphoria, no less. This is the place to go to lift the heart-rate and the spirit, all for $12. Dress is casual, a t-shirt or tank top with some yoga pants or shorts and a colorful sarong wrapped about is typical. And in very un-L.A. style, you’ll find all body-types represented here, as well as a great cross-section of ages. And lemme tell you, it’s mighty humbling, when you consider yourself pretty fit and possessed of some slick moves, to be utterly shown up by some 250 pound grandma who can shake it like you’ve only dreamed about. This is a cool and truly beautiful thing to behold, and will inspire you to also get out and do your thang! Mirriam does a warm up for about half an hour to a CD of African music, often Senegalese, and then the drummers arrive, typically 10 or 12 of them. When those guys get jamming it is infectious! You may need earplugs, but those manic beats will keep your energy going no matter how hard you sweat (and you will sweat!). Unless you’re quite familiar with African dance, you won’t be able to execute all the steps. That’s okay, you’re in a big boat. Don’t worry about it, just have fun!
Venice Beach Drum Circle, Venice Beach near Brooks (from Brooks head for the beach and follow the beckoning rhythm) – The 60’s have not died, they’ve settled on the sunny SoCal beaches of Venice. This drum “circle” is actually comprised of hundreds, and is as eclectic as it comes, from serious players to total hippies to tourists to homeless transvestites covered in bodypaint, as well as many jubilant dancers, of course. And “Drum” Circle doesn’t really cover it, for though drums are the featured instrument and rhythm is king (of the jungle), any given weekend day may find a dozen other types of instruments sharing the musical space and the late afternoon sun. Bodies writhe and drift through a cloud of contraband haze – yes, this place even smells like the 60’s. You have to be open-minded to really get into this, but it’s well worth it, a total blast. And when you get too hot and sweaty, the sparkling Pacific is right there to help you cool off. Drummers start gathering at 4 or 4:30 every Saturday and Sunday and play ‘till the last rays of sunlight kiss them goodnight.
