“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” - ― Hunter S. Thompson
The plan for the day was simple:
Mambalsa Dev w/s;
Walk down to the river;
Have something to eat from the stalls behind the Royal Festival Hall;
Enjoy the Thames Salsa Cruise with a bunch of friends.
Development w/s
We were in the small room/ studio Two/ The cloak room! at bar Salsa! which is pros and cons. Pro's being good light and a black curtain for filming, Cons being no air-con!
About ten us doing some moves then filming them in our make shift studio. My aim is not to film slick dvd quality clips but create a rough and ready pile of clips that can be added to by the Mambalsa dancers. I feel the slicker the clips the more inhibited the Mambalsa Crowd will be in filming their own and uploading.
We quickly got into a move, film, move, film, routine which allowed for breathing and oxygen breaks.
Hot sticky but fun. The three hours slipped away as did the rain outside.
Ok lets do some outside! And off we went with a moments hesitation as I stumbled on the stairs leading up and out of bar Salsa! into the light and into the real world. "Here be dragons" it said on the map. Well here be public and they are way more scary to me! First location, in between Macaris Guitar shop and bar Salsa!Make a pile of the bags and off we go. Uptown Funk to us but "What the hell are they doing" to everyone walking past. I didn't see any frowns of disapproval but smiles as people saw us doing something a bit different.
Next location Trafalgar Square. Two shots, one with Nelson in the background then over to the square where there was a real dj "Grandad DJ" pumping out some dance music. A few quid in his bucket and off we danced.
Millennium Bridge. It may be called the Wobbly Bridge but we didn't, this was fun!A few shots dancing along and leaning over the edge. People walking past some aware of us some not. I was at the front and Leigh was at the back so by the time they got to him curiosity had gripped them. One group got chatting and yes they are going to the Edinburgh Fringe!
Finally in front of Festival Pier by the Royal Festival Hall. One or to people clearly would have joined in if we had time but energy was flagging. Hugs and claps and I almost well up thanking those fearless few for coming with me. Then off for food and a beer!
Then the Thames Salsa Cruise. One hundred and thirty people ready to party. Great fun and a great start to the season.
Sooooo tired but an amazing day.
