A singular music scene is akin to an amoeba. An amorphous organism whose shape is altered by way of its senses. Zooming out to macroview, I imagine gazillions of these auditory amoebas twirling and evolving over time. Disparate entities, albeit bound by a semblance of sounds.
Music scenes often operate in parallel, though they can also intermix, coalesce. morph and shrink- as goes with all ebbs and flows. Instigated by a plethora of factors such as changing tastes, societal and cultural shifts, technology, politics, etc, etc, etc. Whether the shifts are for good or seemingly not so good isn’t up to any one in particular to dictate.
Perception is in the eye of the beholder after all. But no matter your point of view, what’s common is that these tectonic shifts can feel overwhelming and out of our control. And making an impact individually can feel like an uphill climb- and at times seem improbable, if at all possible.
So just how can we make an impact when things appear insurmountable? Especially in the wake of this wacked out (to put it politely) world?!
What we give and take is vastly impacted by our participation in a space.
When it comes to parties, the dancefloor is where it's at. The heart of it all that feeds and nourishes this complex ecosystem. Dancing feeds energy through every inch and iota of these amoebas- and then some.
Being extra conscious and owning our part in relation to how we contribute to any given party is as important as the music that draws us together. Whoever we are, from where we are coming, going or seemingly all knowing- have some humanity. Because part of the essence of what parties can serve is an opportunity to show each other our best when the world’s at its worst.
And that includes all moments- whether it’s making our way to a particular dancing spot and how we move about once we’re there. But beyond that, perhaps it’s just holding the door open for someone. Or letting people through a shoulder to shoulder crowd instead of standing like a statue.
Dancefloors present an unparalleled and unique opportunity to exchange energy during states of high vulnerability. Moments of which are far too far between in today’s world- particular when folks converge from all walks of life. I’m no Pollyanna, but this non-verbal collective release and recharge on a shared plane of existence is a beautiful thing.
Be especially aware of the energy you’re exuding to those around you- especially nightlife workers. Because your party is their work. And they’re as integral to the party as the DJ and the dancer- if not more so! Some extra niceties go a looooonng way. You know- please and thank yous. And properly tipping goes even further.
What you give and take has potential to reverberate not just in the now, but in the future too. Positive energy and actions translate into inertia amongst those of immediate impact. And on the flipside, negativity can propagate hate, and surface waves that radiate far past the corners of the dancefloor. We all have different means and abilities, at different times for different reasons. But it is worth remembering that the time we take in consideration of others only elevates our experience and existence on and off dancefloors.