Monday: DANCEiSM Celebrates Its First Year

To be honest, I don't remember much of my first DANCEiSM apart from a series of haphazard photos. In them, I am appropriately wearing bright colors and yellow heart-shaped sunglasses, and a year later, when I think of DANCEiSM, bright colors, good music, and absolute fun come to mind.

But one year ago, maybe my friend and I approached the evening a little too enthusiastically - it was, after all, the last day of classes before summer break - and as these nights usually go, before we knew it we might have had one too many and it was time to go home. Responsibly, we'd arrived via taxi, and as we spilled out into the street to hail a cab, security approached us.

At this point at most of these kinds of events, they've taken your money and you've become a nuisance, so they bark at you to stand on the next corner for a cab, regardless of the neighborhood or your condition. I braced myself for the inevitable.

"You and your friend go inside and I'll get you a cab," he said, "I'll come get you when I've got one."

I fumbled to express my sincere and deep gratitude as he ushered us back inside where we waited until, as promised, the gentleman reappeared to escort us to our cab.

And that's the sort of attention to detail that tethers my affection to DANCEiSM. From their security to their shuttle service, their music acts to their atmosphere, DANCEiSM is a full body, full spirit experience. And it is through my connection to DANCEiSM that I've come to know Ben Oprstu and Richmond of Photos Operandi. I have been consistently impressed with the team's realization of a utopian dance dream and I've had the pleasure of watching that dream evolve through my own camera lens.

DANCEiSM draws a fresh, enthusiastic crowd who come dressed neon electro with their dancing shoes polished and ready to hit the floor. Resident acts Robot Love, MiCHAEL, and, of course, good friend Ben Oprstu manage to make even the most reluctant wallflower bloom, and it's always a delight to see people actually dancing and not simply propped up against the wall waiting for their American Apparel audition. There is a an energy and a spirit in the bass that shakes the walls that pulls everyone into a celebration of happiness, fun, and love.

This Friday's one year anniversary boasts an impressive bill of DJs, photographers, and visuals. In addition to the usual DANCEiSM suspects and DANCEiSM Spin RCRD's SP, AC Slater of Trouble & Bass and Felix Cartel of Dim Mak join the mix, along with Audrey Napoleon, Avi D, Team EZY, and Doc P. Roaming photos by Photos Operandi, a photobooth by Youngandsleek, visuals by Dr. Strangeloop, and a slew of activities such as body painting, interactive lasers, and a space lounge complete the scene for what's sure to be an exceptionally fun event.

Because while our economy continues to flounder our generation is learning that sometimes the best things in life are the most simple. In that way, DANCEiSM is as simple as it is genius: Put on some cool tunes, turn down the lights, and just dance.





DANCEiSM is this Saturday, September 4th, at Lot 613 near downtown Los Angeles. More information can be found at the Facebook event page.