If I ever manage to have kids and live in NYC, they are so going to a PS 22 or PS 150. Between this and Mad Hot Ballroom dancing, these kids show that arts really do have a place in schools.
And how cute is the little drummer boy in the beginning?! Not sure what the fist pumping is about, yea, I’m talking to you crazy front rower, but I’m liking it nonetheless. Check out the PS 22 blog for more renditions. They. Are. Phenom.
Last summer, Maggie and I became pseudo-fans of Millennium Park Workouts (I think we went three times). This year, I vowed to take advantage of the free classes all summer long. We finally had a non-rainy Saturday morning, so Mia and I went down for Pilates and Salsa Boot Camp.
Pilates: I am terrible. If you were at the class, that was indeed myself, laying on my back refusing to do the bends and legs in the air and breathing. This lasted for 45 minutes.
Then we opted to stay for the dance aerobics class. For those that know me, I love being outside and doing physical things as long as I don’t realize they’re physical workouts. I hate running because I know it’s a workout. I love Zumba because you basically jump around and throw your arms in the air and make weird noises for an hour. I love hiking because I see it as beauty and art and not the working my quads and whatever other muscles are in your legs. I don’t like rowing boats, I do like pedal boats…you get the idea.
New this season are the dance aerobics classes. Each one lasts for a span of 3 weeks. Mia and I, being the fortunate people who we are, arrived for week 1 of Salsa Boot Camp. And holy mother of pearl did this turn into pure comedy.
First up, Pink Shirt, Shorts and Hat lady really knew how to throw her hips from side-to-side. We seriously were in awe trying to mimic her moves. She even got to go up on stage and show the Great Lawn her moves, all while wearing a Derby-esque hat. We would later inquire about her moves and adhere to her request to show up next week.
Second up, partner dancing. Naturally, Mia and I eagerly joined sweaty palm to sweaty palm and paid no attention to the instructor as we made up our own twirls and spins. We like to think of it as the Lazy-Gals-Who-Want-To-Draw-Attention-To-Themselves-As-Crazies Salsa, with a fantastic ab/laughing workout thrown in the mix.
Third up, this crazy hip move Teacher Lisa made us do. Literally felt like our hips became unleashed to the world. Like something just fell right off. Like our hips finally broke free of the shells that encased them. At any rate, I don’t think our hips will lie anymore.
Lastly, Teacher Lisa loves to interject Spanish throughout the class time. I’m a huge fan of Spanglish and sliding in and out of the language. Whether I’m yelling at the dog Oscar to “Ven aqui!” (I like to think of Oscar as the Oscar character of The Office who is of Spanish decent) or quoting the “Oh Mickey You’re So Fine” song in Spanish, I just can’t get enough.
After two hours (and lord knows how many tourists pictures), we finally saw the end and water break. While I don’t see me “baa-ing” and “give it to me” and “take this” in my future dance moves during an evening at Big City Tap, I do find myself eagerly anticipating Teacher Lisa’s new moves, phrases and historical facts next week.
Side note: When Teacher Lisa inquired the class about the merengue, I jumped up and down just like the kids from Mad Hot Ballroom. Something about that word being screamed over an amp just fills you with complete and utter giddy.
Hanna (Non)Tana 