This group disbanded in 2008-ish... please see http://www.ecstaticdanceboise.com/ for more current information.

Changes

Ok so it's been a while since we used this blog but I'm going to try to give Boise Ecstatic Dance more of an internet presence again. First off, there have been some changes. There are now (at least) two groups doing Ecstatic Dance in Boise. Our group is meeting Sunday morning for 10 until noon at 3 Shapes Aikido. Along with the new location, we are having anyone who participates provide the music each week. We've been going for about a month now and have had three different DJs all of whom have very different feels about the music they select. We are also working on setting up a dedicated web site for C.E.E.D. - Community Empowered Ecstatic Dance. This new site will develop into an online community where we can display playlist from each week and have a calendar of upcoming events. It isn't ready yet but it will be at http://ceed.boisebuskers.org. I hope to see you at dance soon.

Different Music

Ok well I haven't written to this in a while but want to encourage people to start using it to discuss Ecstatic Dance in Boise so today I said I'd post the play list. Well Chris was in Portland today and asked me to the music. It was my first time doing that and was difficult to find music that fit the guidelines I was given... so I ignored them (sorry Chris). I felt it was a fun time with different music genres from electronic jazz to blue grass to swing. I like high energy music and I think that showed through with maybe a few too many fast paced songs together, but in the end, I enjoyed it and think others should try organizing the music from time to time. It gives a very different prospective of the dance. Instead of focusing on my dancing and movements, I was watching to see how everyone else moved to the music I selected. Anyhow, here's the play list from today:

1. Stephen Smith with Pete Seeger & DJ Spooky - The Bell
2. Mr. Scruff - Cheeky
3. Santana - Jingo
4. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Jumpin' Jack
5. Brian Setser Orchestra - Sing Sing Sing with the Swing
6. Sevara Nazarkhan - Yor-Yor (Song to the Bride)
7. Chico Cesar & los Fabulous Trobadors - Il faut payer (devo e nao nego)
8. Daz Dolczech and the Destroyers - The Three Bulgars
9. Mr. Scruff - Honeydew
10. Béla Fleck - Polka On The Banjo
11. Flogging Molly - Devil's Dance Floor (these guys are coming to Boise soon)
12 Juno Reactor with Gocoo - Teahouse
13. Rob D - Clubbed To Death (Kurayamino mix)
14. Santana - Soul Sacrifice
15. Buena Vista Social Club - El Cuarto De Tula

I won't be there next Sunday but will try to get CDs there for those who wanted copies of the music. I'm glad you guys like it and look forward to hearing what each of you come up with in the future.

Mellow

Today was a mellow day at Ecstatic Dance. The music was more smooth and flowy. Lots of people were still gone today - off to Burning Man - so there was lots of room to dance and move. At the end, with a little help from Paul and others, we formed a human flower then one of our "petals" sang a song about a humming bird. Nice voice. Another fun day of dance.

Pancakes and People

Today was a fun session with lots of people there. I think it was the biggest group I've seen at Ecstatic Dance yet. There were probably about 35 to 40 people all dancing and moving to a good selection of music. Chris, just back from Panama, created the play list for today which was made of only a few songs each of which was about 10 minutes long with strong beats to most of them. Very fun and no songs I had heard before. Afterwards, a bunch of us headed over to the park for some flapjack flippin' fun. We made up pancakes and had loads of toppings for them. People brought out Poi, frisbees and stilts as well. Basically today was another great session. Hope to see you there next week.

Realms

Creation of dance and song

Reverent trance of awakening

Realms in which to release, revive, and restore

Sanctuary of movement

Stillness

Breathe

Finances

Yes! Money is just another form and definition of energy. Thank you all for contributions. A bank account has been opened in the name of Boise Ecstatic Dance. A non-profit organization is being formed and your contribution pays for the space on Sundays and a fund to go to a community expressive/healing arts center. Thanks for valuing the Dance. Love and Joy!!!