Dance Party

I’m a person of constant ritual, my daughters caught the bug, and so every family gathering with the grandkids has its ritual markers. Some are independent of place: games like Rummy 500, Salad Bowl Charades, Taboo, and more, me bringing a loaf of Tartinne bread, often a specially selected movie. And some are intimately connected to place— the various hikes in our December Palm Springs gathering, the walks on the Michigan beach, Drive-In movie, bike ride on Rails to Trails and more. But in all places, there is at least one night when we have our ritual—DANCE PARTY!!!!

 

The thought of me having a dance party with my parents and grandparents is beyond imagination, but it has become our modern three-generation norm. Each person gets two selections, we appoint a DJ (now Zadie) and each in turn decides if it is to be freestyle, directed or some combination of both. Last night’s was particularly varied. My wife chose Hava Nagila and we line-danced as if at a Jewish Wedding. Her second choice was a lovely sung canon This Pretty Planet, with turning, swirling and other motions connected to the words. I taught my version of the Lindy Hop to Lester Young and Teddy Wilson swingin’ the standard Love Me or Leave Me and then went to James Brown and Cold Sweat for my second choice, segueing into the electric slide. I recognized one daughter’s Spice Girl’s tune and the other's Cupid Shuffle and the rest I couldn’t name. But the variety of grooves and tempos was pleasing to us all. And at the end, we all jumped into the pool!

 

I try to imagine my grandchildren telling their children many years hence about this family institution and hopefully, keeping it going. Besides the obvious pleasure of people dancing together, there is something profound about the generations connecting in this way. So easy to do and I suspect, so rarely done. 

 

If it intrigues you, the reader, you are most welcome to borrow the idea and start your own version. No need to document or splash out on social media—just enjoy the moment! And remember to include it every time the larger family gathers. If you are so inclined.

 

And at the beginning of a year, with all of us on the edge of our seats as to what will finally come to pass with so many cruel and selfish people in power, it’s a good way to remember Irving Berlin’s advice, wholly aligned with the family dance party idea (with less accent on the “romance”).

 

There may be trouble ahead
But while there's music and moonlight

 and love and romance
Let's face the music and dance

Before the fiddlers have fled
Before they ask us to pay the bill
And while we still have that chance
Let's face the music and dance

Soon, we'll be without the moon
Humming a different tune - and then...

There may be teardrops to shed
So  while there's music and moonlight
and love and romance
Let's face the music and dance