Saturday, August 14, 2010

Dancing In the Streets

Do you feel that summer is slowly slipping away? I do.  It was so unusually hot and humid here in New York City this summer that many of my usual outdoor activities and plans did not materialize as I stayed inside in air conditioning instead.  I may have read more books than usual but I missed going on picnics, outdoor concerts, and taking more long walks.  One thing I happened to see recently this summer, however, which raised my spirits, was public displays of dancing!   
(all photos will enlarge when clicked on once and then again when it opens in a new page -- use the back arrow to return to the post)


The photo mosaic above is of the Canadian choreographer-dancer Paul-AndrĂ© Fortier, performing a 30-minute dance called “ Solo 30 x 30.” He performed at noon each day for 30 consecutive days, ending in August 14, in the open air at 1 New York Plaza in Lower Manhattan as part of the annual summer "River to River Festival." Rain or shine, and through oppressive heat, he danced in silence to his own internal sound track. Whirling, pantomiming, reckoning, and gesturing, his artistic contribution to the summer festival was a joy to watch!

Seeing one of his performances made me remember the 1964 Martha and The Vandellas song "Dancing In the Streets."

"Callin' out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancin' in the streets...."


This photo mosaic is of an assortment of dances I saw while walking along the Coney Island boardwalk a week ago.  There were small groups of people having a good time dancing to live music all along the almost 3 mile long boardwalk. The small boy was an amazing break dancer for his age!

"... All we need is music, sweet music
There'll be music everywhere
There'll be swingin', swayin' and records playin'
And dancin' in the streets..."


The last group of dancers I saw that are in the photos above were dancing to the music in the New York Mets baseball team's beautiful Citi Field before the game. There is a restaurant and lively Fan Fest family entertainment area behind the scoreboard area of the stadium and many fans took the opportunity to dance to the music!

"Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear
Just as long as you are there
So come on, every guy grab a girl
Everywhere around the world
There'll be dancin'
They're dancin' in the street..."


If you'd like to hear the "Dancing In the Streets" song watch this video:



"This is an invitation
Across the nation
A chance for the folks to meet
There'll be laughin' and singin' and music swingin'
And dancin' in the streets."

I hope before this summer is over you have a chance to dance a little in the streets where you live!



I'll be adding this post to Mary's "Mosaic Monday" on her blog Little Red House. Please drop by her blog on Monday to see her beautiful photos mosaic and links to all the other blogs participating this week.


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43 comments:

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Great post Pat...it really made me smile. I have also been inside way too much this summer, but the weather just hasn't cooperated for me. I am hoping for a cloudier, slightly wetter August and Sept.
♥, Susan

Jeanne said...

Hi Pat, I have missed your posts very much. I am finally home again with nothing planned until October. Big sigh. I happily will be visiting my dear blogging friends once again. That would be you. Smile.

I love the dancing idea. We love to dance and watching someone show their love of dancing would make anyone smile. Your photos are awesome and fun to see.

I do love the song "Dancing in the Streets."It lifts your heart and makes you want to just get up and dance. I have to say I think N.Y. is a place where dancing in the streets is a common sight. Not here!

I hope your summer was fun in spite of the heat. Ours was great fun in spite of the busy days. I hope your trip out West was fun.

Have a great weekend.
Hugs, Jeanne

mrs. c said...

Pat,
It has been soooo hot here in Tennessee and we have already gone back to school, poor kids it is so hot we cannot have recess outdoors! I love to take photos of my kids dancing and it is so much fun to put them in a slideshow so they can watch themselves! I play alot of Motown Music in my classroom, my kids love it.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Neat post, Pat.... Dancing is good for us.... It makes people smile. It's good exercise... What more can I say?? It's just NEAT.... Thanks so much for sharing the JOY... Love it..
Hugs,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Hi Pat,
It's been extra hot and humid here too!

Love this post and the song!

Here's to cooler days ahead! :)

Carol said...

Finally got a gorgeous day today, didn't we? I hope you got out and was dancing in the streets yourself :) Great post, a lot of fun!

Sheila said...

I like your Dancing post. I'm another "Dancing in the Streets" fan - it's got such a great beat. It's perfect for my kitchen dancing. I turn up the music while the pots are boiling on the stove and cover the dance floor with my imaginary partner or just rocking to the music. We're heading to the Edmonton Fringe festival tomorrow and we'll likely see some dancing in the streets there.

Annesphamily said...

I am remembering that song! It is now inside my head! Wow! Pat you really write beautifully. I am so glad I have gotten to know you here. Thanks for the memories. Hugs and Happy weekend! Anne

Anonymous said...

How WELL I remember that song!! During the summer of 1964, I was gearing up for my senior year in high school!! What a great time in my life!! Thank you for reminding me of that!!

I'm a huge fan of So You Think You Can Dance. . . which just ended the current season on Thurs. night. I think I was a "dancing queen" in my former life!! I've always loved dance. . . even though I can't!! :)

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

L, Dana

Betty said...

I certainly remember that song and now I'll be humming it to myself for the rest of the evening. Great pictures. I'm curious...does anyone ever object when you take their picture?

steviewren said...

I've always loved that song!

Because I am a terrible dancer, you will never catch me dancing in the street. I do all my dancing behind closed doors and pulled shades.

Joanne Kennedy said...

What a fun post! I love seeing people just letting go and dancing when they feel the desire.

We have been having such a cool summer. In the mid 70's. Next week we should be warming up. I fear we are going to have a hot Fall and even into the Winter. Sure wish we would just by pass that hot weather.

Hugs,
Joanne

Pondside said...

No one was dancing in the street over here today. The thermometer went over 30, which is nearly unheard of on the West Coast. The whole Pacific North West is in a heat wave. Those photos made me smile though - I love the idea of open-air dancing!

RNSANE said...

Oh, I love that Martha and the Vandellas song! What memories it brings back.

Luckily, San Francisco and my area have been cool as usual all summer. I'm wearing my usual bedtime attire of sweat shirt and sweat pants.

Enjoyed the post of all the dancing folks in your fair city!

Old Kitty said...

Awwww Pat, I'm dancing! I'm dancing!! What a wonderful celebration of life!! Brilliant!!

I love this song - love it! It is just a perfect summer song to make the holidays stretch that much further! Thank you!

I love that little boy - so cute!!

But big standing ovation to Paul-Andre Fortier!! My goodness! Now that's what I call dedication to his art. That's just sublime.

Thanks for sharing these fantastic displays of pure artistic joy! They've made me smile. :-)
take care
x

Ciao Chow Linda said...

What a lovely post and a tribute to just enjoying life. Your posts are always a boost for the spirit.

magicpolaroid said...

ciao! che bello leggere il tuo blog! in this last post there are beautiful streets photo!
ciao, Luis

p.s. buon ferragosto!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Oh Em Gee, Pat! Loved the way you paired Dancing In The Street with this post! Loved it!!!

Maria M. Boyer said...

Not only did you perfectly put into words why I have the summer blues this year, Pat, but by the end of the post you had me smiling from ear to ear! Great read, thanks!!

Claudia said...

I'm smiling and singing and bopping around!

nanny said...

Great Post....I was singing along while looking at your amazing pictures....
A few years ago I gave my daughters a book with CD in the back of it...."I Hope You Dance"

annie said...

Loved this!
Yes, summer was too hot to enjoy on quite a few days and so I feel I missed out on too much.

Sarah said...

Pat, another great post! Love the lyrics to that song and you photo mosaics capture the essence of it. It's fun to see folks dancing in the street!

Kathleen said...

It was gorgeous this weekend, wasn't it? No ac yesterday, Mass on the lawn overlooking the Bay! Just perfect!
Loved your dancing in the street! My 4 yo gson does a mean rendition of Hey, Soul Sista! :)

Mister Meatball said...

I'll be in Brooklyn this week. Might have missed out on the dancing, but sure I'll find something else worth gawking at.

Kat said...

I loved this post Pat. Great photos of people just having a wonderful time. We have a street dance on our town square on the first Friday of every month from April until December. So much fun. Love the song, one of my favorites!

Tracy said...

That Martha and The V's song always lifts the spirits and makes a body want to dance! Very fun post, Pat. And LOVE that little boy break dancing... how cute is that??!! Hope there's a cool down there before summer ends. It does feel like summer has been flying by this year. Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))

Carol at Serendipity said...

Pat,

Great post. Love that song! Wonderful photos.

Carol

Judy said...

What fun! I love the little guy break-dancing. A perfect summer event!

Sue said...

Oh Pat, This post was great fun!! How enjoyable to see uninhibited dancing in public and the enjoyment these people experienced. I was singing along with your lyrics, too.
hugs, Sue

Catherine said...

I love to see such exuberance. It makes me feel there is still pure joy in the world.

Jenny said...

I would totally try dancing in the streets because this looks like so much fun...

...but...

It is so ridiculously hot there that my shoes would melt to the pavement...

...and...

Since it would be too hot to take my shoes off and walk across the melting tar I would be stuck in the street...

...and...

Then when I had to pee or get a drink I would be in big trouble...

...unless...

OK. Never mind. Not going there.

Bye.

Donna said...

I've got that song in my mind now! Great post. Dancing makes everyone smile.

Hugs,
Donna

Bobbi Ann said...

Hi, Wonderful mosaics and photos! I loved your post! Hope you have a lovely new week!
hugs...
Bobbi

Lisa@GrandmasBriefs said...

Forget dancing in the street -- you got me dancing in my SEAT! I love this post! So happy, so summery! :o)

GailO said...

That is one of my very favorite songs...and I felt like dancing as I read this post:) Love these dancing mosaics Pat!

Anonymous said...

Hia Pat, I think dancing in public is lovely to watch. A lady in Corralejo danced to the local folk music- so full of expression.

I have 2 left feet however. I couldn't even do a fitness class let alone be graceful! I love watching those who are though.

Vee said...

Oh sweet! I'm going back to enlarge them all. It's so intriguing to me that people can dance joyfully in the streets. I'm far too inhibited for that, but I do feel like taking a whirl about the kitchen floor with a mop. Ha!

Cindy said...

Great photos and mosaics, so interesting, I don't think I have ever seen street dancing of the kind that you mention. Cute little fellow break dancing.
Hugs, Cindy S

Unknown said...

Cool...we dont have many people dancing on the streets, but I think its super fun..I might just join in :)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Delightful....makes me smile and want to dance! Great music! So uplifting and FUN! ♥

Blooming Rose Musings said...

Just reading the lyrics to the song brought back so many sweet memories and made me smile. I was dancing in my heart. Thanks.

Mary said...

Alas, I live in a town where shopping in your sweats is frowned upon... dancing in the street would probably consign me to the psych ward... looks like fun, though!