Vancouver 2010 Olympics Events: Dance Marathon

Lori Henry as competitor # 108 at the Dance Marathon as part of the Cultural Olympiad at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

I woke up this morning feeling a bit worse for the wear. My body feels a bit like it’s been hit by a very heavy truck, but I’m not complaining. Last night I was competitor number 108 at bluemouth inc.’s Dance Marathon, part of the Cultural Olympiad for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

A splash of performance, a hint of theatre and all out audience participation is what drives this fabulous show forward. An MC dictates the fair and unfair rules of the evening as all ticket holders don contestant numbers and dance to the live band.

It’s no wonder that, although some hold their water bottles closely (but also bring your own, you’ll need it!), others take full advantage of the cash bar to help them get to the front of the pack. (I’m not sure of the success rate of this method, though, so you’ll have to experiment for yourself.)

The show is a Harbourfront Centre commission and presented by local Vancouver company Boca del Lupo and the Cultural Olympiad. Toronto-based bluemouth inc. has put together what they call an “interactive, duration-based performance event” that takes the dance marathon spectator sport from Depression-era North America and brings it to contemporary life.

Competitors and the live band at the Dance Marathon at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver, BC.

We might not be competing for the cash reward at the end in order to feed our families, but I think most people will be happy to know that this 3.5 to 4 hour event is, in fact, a much shorter version of the original. Dance marathons in the 30s could go on for 3 months. But the desperation for that prize money kept couples shuffling their feet even as their bodies gave out.

bluemouth inc. and Bocu del Lupo have mercy, though. There is an intermission and a couple of short breaks to fill up on water, snacks and stretch it out. Actually, the beginning of the competition is based more on luck than dance skills (you’ll understand why I wrote above that it’s both fair and unfair), but I won’t tell you anymore. Half the fun is not knowing what you’re getting yourself into…

The great part is that you can go to this dance marathon on your own, with a partner or with a group. You’ll be loosely partnered up, but you can mix and mingle as much and as little as you’d like (although you’re eliminated in partners, so make sure you find someone who has the stamina to go the distance!).

The ref who eliminates competitors at the Dance Marathon, part of the Cultural Olympiad at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

For $30 CDN ($25 for youth, students and seniors; group rates available), you arrive at 6:30pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre’s Engine 374 Pavilion for the 7:00pm start. You get a bottle of water, sign a waver and enter into the theatre for all the juicy instructions. Can you handle it?

Dance Marathon

• Dates: February 9, 10, 11 and 13, 2010
• February 12: A special event party starts at 6:00pm, with the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. The dance marathon starts at 9:00pm.
• Location: Roundhouse Community Centre (181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line stop)
• Price: $30 CDN ($25 for youth, students and seniors; group rates available)
• Tickets: Buy them on-line at Brown Paper Tickets
  
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  Tags: bluemouth inc, Cultural Olympiad, Dance Marathon, Engine 374 Pavilion, Events, Harbourfront Centre, Opening Ceremony, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver 2010 Olympics