Dancing In The Streets

The title isn’t completely accurate b/c dancing occurred in more places than just the street. Specifically; a couple parking garages, the sidewalk, the capitol lawn and steps, at City Hall, and under the Star @ the Bob Bullock Museum… “You had to be there” has never been a more fitting statement.

Better late than never. I join the dancing mob just before 11pm as they were relocating to the backside of the capitol. Truly, a breathtaking scene to approach. Thousands of people, ranging from minor to senior citizen, were dressed to impress in their business professional attire. Dozens of people had a vintage boombox resting on their shoulders blaring Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing“. What an amazing scene to stumble upon. The crowd sang in unison which could be heard from more than a mile away.

We reach the back steps of the capitol where the hardcore dancing would commence. The crowd was 99% enthusiastic youth, .5% over 35, and .5% smug law enforcement w/ their arms folded. The Sheriff was actively trying to have a bad time although no laws had been broken. No crimes had been committed. People being happy is enough to give this Sheriff a look like someone farted in his mouth. I noticed how much fun he was not having so I brought the party to him. I quickly rounded up 20-30 willing participant to join me in a “cheer up, grumpy Sheriff” movement. It panned out famously. He was grateful for the effort we displayed, as well as the appreciation we showed for his tolerance. This was a healthy relationship between youth and law enforcement. Groundbreaking.

In the middle of all this fun, I spotted my friends; Bak, Obi, and Ekow… Yes they’re all black, but I bet you could have guessed that. They were interviewing people about the dance party. I interrupted them with hugs, laughter, and thunderous high fives… Followed by, what can only be described as The Best Dancing The World Has Ever Seen. I wish I was exaggerating, but as I said before… “You had to be there“. I pulled a few dance moves out of my “bag” but the crowd grew hungrier and hungrier… Eventually I had to dump my bag completely out and steal the show. The crowd parted faster than a shart victim… Yes, shart victim. I was throwing my body around in way that only Courtney Love can appreciate. Bak even joined me for a MJ “Beat It” moment… After setting the audience I blaze, I found myself utterly destroyed. I had danced myself into a chubby guy coma. If you’ve ever run track, you’ll know what I mean when I say that I had a lactic explosion… I felt so… White, Fat, Useless. I gave the crowd what they wanted, and that was all I had to give. My sweat faucet would continue to drip for the next hour and a half, but totes worth it.

 

 

The stops @ City Hall and the Bob Bullock Museum were as epic as the rest of the night. I would see people abandon the group, which made no sense at all. I’m sure that they were going to rejoin the ranks of every typical downtown Austin Brat. They were leaving a remarkably original moment for “I’d rather get a Handy from Freddy Krueger” 6th Street. Fuck them… I’m the one grinding on a 20 year old German bombshell exchange student named Olga while singing Meatloaf’s “I Will Do Anything For Love” into the night sky. Success was achieved on so many levels. SMHWS WAMEC? BIWTMF… (Shaking My Head While Smiling… Why Are My Eyes Closed? Because It Was That Much Fun)

Should this event resurface in Austin or any surrounding city… GO. Don’t hesitate. Just GO… you won’t regret it.

Side note: I didn’t see a single drug or alcohol beverage all night. Not that there wasn’t substance use, but It was very little which restores my faith in having fun sober.

It’s called a Decentralized Dance Party. Here is a taste…

-Jon Stringer
www.jonstringer.com