With all the politico babble about the upcoming DNC convention, VP suspense, what the Clintons will (or will not) do for the Obama campaign, I’ve created my fantasy scenario. What say we get all those delegates, politicos, and the like up on the convention floor for some line dancing. Can you imagine? Thousands of people in perfect unison. Who goes in the middle? Step to the left, to the left, to the left. Step to the right, to the right, to the right. Now kick, kick, kick.
Line dancing just feels right when you’re all in step. It feels good! This summer I realized how out of touch I’ve been when I went to a block party in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC. I was invited by Brian Williams, founder of the dance group Step Afrika!, a professional dance company dedicated to stepping. Stepping is a dance tradition created by African American college students. Step Afrika! has travelled internationally as US cultural ambassadors. More on Step Afrika! in a future entry.
Now this block party was just folks having a good time. It didn’t matter who you were, what your busines was, or your connections, at the block party everybody’s grilling and hanging back. At least three tables were set up for the fellas to get into their card and domino games. At the end of the block, was the inflated bouncer for the kids. Grills were flipping hamburgers, hot dogs and ribs. The newcomers on the block made pasta salad and ribs. All cars were moved off the street so the block was wide open for riding bikes, skating, and line dancing.
The Cupid Shuffle, the Chinese Checkers, the Cha-Cha Slide. You mean the Electric Slide is out!? Brian reminded me these dances have been out for at least three years. Gee, I am really out of touch. As for steppers, Brian pointed out recently:
We have tons of them..they are called, in black Greek culture, PARTY WALKS, HOPS OR STROLLS.
For me, the block party was a happy reminder of how party unity is possible with a few steps, kicks and a slide. Can you put that on the platform? I found this video on YouTube courtesy of Step in the Name of Life, based in Miami, FL. Their goal on their website is to fight High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, & more within our on communities. Now that’s incentive.
BTW the music AND dance is by Cupid aka Bryson Bernard, 24, of West Lafayette, LA. (Atlantic Records 2007)