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Stranded at the soda bar (By Kate Makosfske)
Stranded at the soda bar A perspective on the first dances of the year.Catherine Makofske '05 Sage Staff Writer
For those desiring a break in the grind of scholarship, school dances are a notable alternative. Simply twirling one's tired body around can peel away a week of stress, and the benefits of an evening of boogie should be sought after as they fill our social calendars.
Upon entering a beautiful room such as the chandelier-clad foyer in Thomas Great Hall, I am filled with the visions of twirling along the tiles, and singing aloud to great tunes. Finally, after a week of classes, my night will be filled with color, music, and release. Instead, I find too often that I am aligned with the chips and cans of soda on the side, watching with the other wallflowers or stepping out into the courtyard Cloisters, for a break from the hot, noisy place. Indeed, the Hall has been transformed into a den of self-conscious swiveling and vapid techno beat.
Does anyone really enjoy dancing to this stuff?
It's just a thought. Occasionally, the DJ will play a Madonna song, upon request. To this, it seems that the bi-co rejoice over a rare and refreshing hit. On one particularly enchanted evening, he even follows it up with cuts from the Thriller album, and uncertain Brownian paths become lively circles. I am not partial to eighties pop, but as a barnacle whose rock consists of the clusters of couches in the corner, I can tell you that I've seen a lot at these dances. Mostly a good deal of bored bi-co bodies. However, when there are a few classic songs, particularly if they are well-known, people tend to go nuts.
Requests are played rarely, though. Sending small play lists/love notes to the turntable, does not work, and politely inquiring about the musical collection usually results in a vague "I have everything. I'll play anything" from the music genie. Yet, from personal experience, my hopeful requests have been laughed for the duration of a Shakira song,(apparently the only Latin musician who has ever graced popular music with her tuneful yodeling...) Admittedly, one of those requests was "Cecilia" -- a song by Simon & Garfunkel. It might seem dated, but truly how much more dated than a Madonna song that was popular during our cradle years? Many of us could not walk very well then (much less dance), yet still know all the words by heart. When I heard my neighbor playing The Eagles, and watched a couple swing dance at Supafun, I began wonder what the big difference was. After a less than inspiring round of Funk Masta Flex imitations and "the Barbie Doll song," I had not thought my request could be that absurd. Perhaps though, I was misled by the swarm of peasant blouses and mood rings.
On a whim this evening, I strolled through my residence hall, keeping an ear out for the music that was playing inside people's rooms. I heard the Eagles, Six Pence None the Richer, the Dixie Chicks, Joni Mitchell, and Bon Jovi. Could there be a reason that The Point is so well attended by our people on the weekends? Surely, if we only listened to rap and techno, it would not be. I am not suggesting that we listen to only these particular artists, or that they should be played at all. It would not be terribly uncool to play some of the songs that we listen to in our dorms though, would it?
