| The Dusty 45s perform at DESC’s Gimme Shelter benefit at Reverie Ballroom October 23 (Erika Olsen photo) |
While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole.
—Hans Bos
It felt so good to dance last Friday at the annual benefit for DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) featuring two beloved local musical performers: Lady A as consummate host and with rousing grooves provided by the inimitable Dusty 45s. DESC’s vision is “a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home”. How brilliant is that? Their stellar organization assists people with needs around homelessness, substance abuse, and mental illness, and these fundraisers are always full of love and great energy.
Combining music and dance with doing good for our community is uplifting, and it’s empowering knowing I’m having a direct impact on my neighbors. A real antidote to the out-of-control feelings I often have regarding our national situation, owing to fellow Americans and politicians seemingly devoid of either compassion or dignity.
The beauty of partner dancing is that, if you’re doing it right, you’ve got to have empathy and care for your partner. Selfishness doesn’t play well, and insulting, acting superior to and trying to dominate your partners will likely end badly for you. Dancing is about cooperation, teamwork, and valuing one another’s contribution. Respect, kindness, and commitment to working for the common good are all vital aspects of a great dancer. It’s inspiring to be part of our dance scene, filled with generous, considerate, community-minded people. That’s the sort of world I long to live in, and I’m grateful for all those working hard to make it so.
Halloween is nigh, and you’ll find three related events in addition to live music, dances of numerous varieties all over the sound, upcoming dance classes and one-off workshops, all online at the Dance Calendar.
See you on the dance floor —Sean Donovan