mercredi 7 janvier 2009

Has it come to this?

So, the lovely Debbie said to me today that she has a new year's resolution.

I guessed it would be to sleep around a little less (pot, kettle, black, I know) or maybe to eat food that smells less at lunchtime in our small and poorly ventilated office. Maybe it would be to wear something other than black. Alas it is none of these.

She wants to learn to dance the Madison.

Ye Gods. In France, they insist on dancing this, even in the coolest of cool nightclubs. I guess that this is why Debbie wants to learn how to do it. Comes in handy for the occasional friday night at les Bains Douches, I guess.

It always makes me think of holidays on French campsites. You know the big campsites - the ones with dodgy disco's where they'd play cheesy pop classics and where you'd be certain to get your sixteen-year-old arse pinched by a rogue bartender? Hmm. I always liked those places.

Which is probably why one of my favourite nights out in Paris is a nightclub that recreates this atmosphere perfectly.

Le Tango (aka la Boîte à Frissons, rather cheesily) offers a good night out to anyone willing to arrive after midnight. Prior to that it's a tea dance popular with lesbians. I have nothing against lesbians - even though I do wish they'd work on their shoes a little - but I don't need to see a great crowd of them dry humping their butch selves on the dancefloor to "love is in the air". I mean, really.

The bar bills itself as thus : "On se voit, on s'entend, on se sourit. Y'a des filles, des garçons, des travs, des trans, des folles, des butchs, des jeunes, des vieux, des beaux, des moches. Machos, hétéros-flics, sexistes, trop-beaux-pour-être-aimable, VIP s'abstenir."

Not sure where I fit into that list, but I'm sure you can see how this makes for a funny, fun night out. Dancing to Dalida, Spice Girls, Mylène and Bananarama - and they always play American Boy.

If you want to see a spectacular Madison (and it is truly spectacular - largely because all the boyz know all the moves and the über-competitive lesbians try to keep up) then they have one every Friday at half past midnight.

So I started this post with a "why does she want to do something like that?" and appear to be ending it thinking that this is something I should be learning myself.

Is there any hope for me at all?

One can sometimes be a little too integrated, non?

20 commentaires:

Anonyme a dit…

I had no idea what a Madison was until now. Such an educational blog you keep! Me, I'm a Shim Sham gal.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Catherine, it doesn't surprise me at all. You strike me as a shim sham gal....

Congrat's on the book BTW - I saw a copy at Conortje's the other day. You must be really pleased - well done.

Daryl a dit…

Okay .. off I go to YouTube The Madison since I have no idea what the heck it is.

Does it mean anything that my word to type to verify if I am not a BOT is: tranno? I thought not.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Hey D. Have a look at the 'cowboy madison' while you are there - it's a whole new world...we really should get ourselves down to San Antonio for a bit of that cowboy fun....he he

Anonyme a dit…

When in Rome!

Me, I'm more of an Alan's own inspired, nay, Drunken dance moves kinda guy

Anonyme a dit…

Well that might work when one is sober, but not much fun. Then when un-sober it'd be fun, but wouldn't work......I'll just watch from the bar!

Unknown a dit…

it sounds and looks kind of fun. definitely one step up to the 'electric slide' that people love to do here at weddings. either way -- i'm too uncoordinated to line dance. i'll probably knock people over. lol.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Alan - I hear you have all the moves! A little bird tells me how great you dance to American Boy, at least....

Rob, I'll join you at the bar. Mine's a G and T...

Mike, you and me both - we could do coordinated knocking over of people though - it'd be fun!

amy a dit…

How perfect are those three in the Godard film? is it any wonder people in France still want to Madison?!

see you Friday (I wish)

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Amy, next time you're in Paris we'll do it. Well, maybe we'll stand and watch as everyone else does the dance...and yes, a perfect bit of cinema!

Anonyme a dit…

The Madison? Can't view youtube at work so my mind has gone into overdrive - I have witnessed some crazy dancing at Le Tango though so nothing would surprise me.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Big C, I've also witnessed some crazy dancing at le Tango - mainly from you and Patrice...he he.

But those guys who get up on the stage and 'freak out' never fail to make me chuckle. Pure class.

Anonyme a dit…

Oh those camping site animation teams.. *shudders*

By the way, the Madison looks pretty straightforward. Download Ray Charles' What I Say and have a go. But dancing like that in nightclubs..? Maybe I just need to come over to Paris and experience it. That nightclub sounds like fun!

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Marjolein, it's a funny place, but you do have to be in the right mood and in the right company....it's not everyones cup of tea, that's for sure.

cb a dit…

Trop beau être amiable?? C'est moi!!!

Ok, so what. The fuck. Is the Madison?? And will I have to partake when I cum to Paris??

cb a dit…

Okay. I just watched the clip. It's worse than the fucking macarena. Or the electric slide. Or any kuntry line dance.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

CB; I think you've misunderstood 'beau'...he he

And yes, you will have to partake, mainly because I know it will disturb you to do so.....

Louise a dit…

1) I think this resolution shouldn't be too difficult to fulfill.

2) I like it.

3) I could do it and would look great in the hat!

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Louise - I look dreadful in hats, so you deffo win there dear!

Henry North London 2.0 a dit…

Ah So this is where the Madison is held Finally I have the ability to go back there sometime