this morning we dance our butts off on a streetcorner. it was fantastic. better than fantastic. only the first two minutes were intimidating, after that...
transcendence.
a two year old boy started dancing with me and stole my heart. we jumped and spun together.
Jeff and Mike have done two interviews for radio and tv, we seem to be causing a bit of a stir here, (it is quite small so causing a stir is not that difficult, people are coming up to us on the street and asking if we are the dancing people).
such a simple thing this is. to go out and dance. an old man gives us the thumbs up, another tells Mike it's the best thing he's seen in years. people in offices on the second floor stand watching in a line, I bekon for them to join me. I think they want to.
all this is welcome as we slept in a parking lot last night (in tents) during a fierce thunderstorm, (the only one in palm springs at this time of year in years). today a very sweet man working for the festival offered us his condo.
I am really looking forward to a bed and a shower. yessir.
more to come...
Posted by kerismith at September 20, 2005 05:52 PMThis is the best idea I've heard in years and years.
Excuse me now while I head to my street corner.
Fabulous...Wish I could come dance along too. What a neat experience. Soak it up for all of us!
Posted by: tracy on September 22, 2005 11:58 AMI'm intrigued. How can I see this film? Dance, Keri, Dance!!
YA-WhoOOo! LOVE the project, totally connect with it. Keri, I've been dipping into your website for a few months now and really find comfort and stimulation through your words/work/play. I'm writing because I have a question about the dancing.
Does everyone have their own music/walkman/ipod thing and dancing in their own little worlds, as one universe? Or is there a ghetto blaster set down so everyone is dancing to the same drum?
BTW, I applaud those who so boldly defended Keri with the whole hurricane thing. I remember reading an accusation along the lines of "how selfish/ignorant Americans can be", which was of course, ignorantly directed at a Canadian, but more importantly, a perfect example of the accusation itself. Horrifying events and great tragedy happen DAILY in overwhelming numbers, why the lack of hommage to one that happens to fall on American soil was such an outrage is a clear indicator that he who is raging should read an international paper or two and take some positive action....not chew out a Canadian blogger.
But, so many others here have said all this already, and said it well.
Anyways, BLOG-ON Keri, and relay a big round of applause to your man (and his partner) from me for getting this disco ball rolling.
Cheers from Toronto,
Danette
Posted by: Danette on September 21, 2005 06:53 PMI'm reading these posts with mouth agape and shining eyes... I'm SO excited for you, and those who are watching, and participating!! There's something big happening; I can feel it...
Posted by: Kelly on September 21, 2005 06:11 PMWhat a fabulous adventure!!!
Posted by: Swirly on September 21, 2005 05:10 PMKeri, this reminds me of something my sister has done for years at her home. Everyday at 3:30 p.m. the music goes on and anyone (everyone) who is at home must dance for 10 minutes. It is amazing the change in attitudes of everyone in the house! It is such fun.
Keep on dancing! Oh, and welcome to SoCal! I'm down the block from you, have a good time in the Springs!
Posted by: frenchhen1 on September 21, 2005 11:41 AMI can't express enough how much I love this idea. How can I see the film? I'm in Ottawa!!
A few years ago, I was sitting at a stoplight, on a busy ugly road in heavy traffic. It was the end of my workday and I was felling spent and exhausted. There was a pedestrian crossing in front of my car. He stepped off the curb, TWIRLED around, did a little two-step and walked on. Obviously he was listening to something really good. :)
That image has totally stayed with me. I laughed out loud. And promised myself I would indulge in random dancing, not just for myself, but for others. :) :)
Posted by: ex dancing queen on September 21, 2005 09:18 AMI just love the idea and I wish I could see you dancing. Anyone here who wants to dance on the streets in Europe? What about doing something like this on different places all over the world on the same time? ;o).
Katrin
I know you are out of town ~ but just found out this snippet ~ and leapt for joy :)
Saw it also has a Davis venue, so thought I'd pass on the juice...
Dan Price (of Moonlight Chronicles fame) is on tour and is in Davis on the 23 Sept @ Avid Reader (7:30 p.m.) on 617 Second Street.
blessings!
leonie
Oh you are so brave Keri; I'm sure those that dont dance truly deeply wish they had the bravery to - I know I do :)
Posted by: Catherine on September 21, 2005 07:51 AMmaybe Sally and I could be the founding members of ASE - since both us Aussies were so inspired by the winter dancing story
Posted by: Kel on September 21, 2005 03:56 AMit all sounds so exciting and different!
Posted by: adele on September 20, 2005 10:10 PMsounds absolutely fab-u-dabulous!!!!!!!!!
:D
love and laughter
leonie
Keri!
How wonderful for you and Jeff and your friends to have this experience! I've checked out your links regarding the short film. I am most curious as to the name 'The Winter of the Dance' - can you give us some insight as to how this title was selected? I love the use of 'winter' in it. My sympathy on the passing of Doobie. What a wonderful friend. The following lyrics are from a favorite song by LeAnne Womack....the message is an important one and the song is even more poignant. Hope you enjoy... : )
I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack featuring Sons Of The Desert)
(Mark D. Sanders/Tia Sillers)
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their years and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their years and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)
Wow-
I can't fully express, how reading of these dancing shennanigans made me feel!
It would be an understatement, to simply say-
Wildly excited, hopeful, with an itching tapping toe..
Big kudos to all the dancing gang, and those that join you on the way!
Viva la revolution!
I am quite scared but moreso determined, to start up the revolution, here with friends, in Australia.
Have you heard of Dan Zanes?
He has a sort of similar tract with music-
Participation is the key!- dare to look silly, and don't just do it, because you can do it 'well'- the very act is joyful..
Perhaps together 'we' can shift the current dynamic of performance, music & art:
So multi-national recording contracts, tight pants, choreography, bling etc etc are not prerequisites!
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: sally on September 20, 2005 07:31 PMAs a result of your recent entried on "the winter of the dance", i discovered your husband's website and journal. it made me so happy to see that someone as interesting and talented as yourself was married to such an equally talented individual. i love seeing couples who fit like puzzle pieces, different and alike in just the right ways. Also, his music is great. it makes me smile.
Posted by: Crystal on September 20, 2005 07:05 PMYour dancing revolution seems to be working. Keep those booties shaking.
Posted by: Jen on September 20, 2005 06:35 PM