I have never been so grateful for back and muscle pain relievers as I was this weekend. No regrets. I can honestly say I enjoyed Riverfest Elora to the fullest of my personal capacity, if also to the detriment of my knee caps. In the words of an observer remarking on my concert-going enthusiasm, I danced hard. And I paid for it. Ah, but it was worth it.
I firmly believe music is meant to be felt and there isn’t a muscle in my body that didn’t feel the three-day weekend of Riverfest. I may have over-achieved though. I should learn to pace myself. It’s not possible though, with diversity of the musical line-up here. If you’re open to the experience, you’ll be exposed to music you have never heard before, and for me, the unexpected is an adventure of discovery. Add that to the bands whose music I know and love, and I am one happy soul who was born to dance.
I’m sure it’s not pretty to watch, but I honestly don’t care. “Dance like nobody is watching” is not just a phrase: it’s my personal motto. Uninhibited dancing is the best kind. Riverfest Elora keeps me on my game. I wouldn’t say I am current in my dance moves, but I was most definitely up to the challenge of interpretive dance.
My daughter, who also happened to be my chaperone for the entire weekend, was both witness and supporting cast to some interesting renditions of dance styles.
From hops to tribal beats, thumbing hip hop throw-downs (without actually falling down), to thrashing head shakes made all the better because my hair is now long enough to thrash about, to good old-fashioned arms-in-the-air swaying from side to side,
I found my groove. I even embarked on the occasional slam dance, but that was really just to establish boundaries when a drunk person repeatedly bumped into my daughter. Fair game. This momma bear can dance and protect.
But there are two acts my daughter may never recover from witnessing alongside her mother: Men Without Hats and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. These acts gave me a high-on-life trip of musical nostalgia. Mix that with the moments of dancing next to my daughter, who actually wanted to dance with me, (even if she was embarrassed that I knew the arm gestures of the Safety Dance song), and I am grateful.
We danced hard.
You get one shot at life. Dance like everyone’s watching. Show them how it’s done.
