It really seems as though everybody's doing the Conga these days.
Last night two friends came up to me in the club (obviously I'm not going to name names or venues) and offered to Conga with me. My initial reaction was to laugh at them... I thought they were taking the piss. But it turned out they'd been secretly doing the Conga for years.
Now I'm not one to judge anyone by their actions, but it seems to me that the long term health effects of doing the Conga aren't yet known, so by doing the Conga repeatedly and occasionally even spontaneously you're putting yourself and those that join in at unnecessary risk. But I suppose if I thought I could just occasionally join a Conga line on a special occasion I might be tempted to try it.
My two friends told me that it's often the best part of their evening. Last night, right in front of me, they linked up, one in front of the other, and started their own rhythm in order to effectively dance the Conga in step with each other. Something like: "Dada-dada-dada... Oi! Dada-dada-dada... Oi!" They kept approaching me and trying to get me to join in. I'd had a few drinks and was really tempted, but common sense prevailed and although I could see how much fun they were having, I stood still and let the Conga pass me. I must admit that my feet did begin to tap a bit and I can still hear the rhythm of the Conga even now - 12 hours later. By doing the Conga so close to me I think they've put me at risk of passive Conga dancing which I think is inconsiderate.
I saw a self-help poster at R-Bar last night saying that Revenge are now running evening Salsa classes... I've heard Salsa isn't nearly as bad as the Conga so I'm thinking of trying to get my friends to go.
Anyone else dealing with the effects of the Conga and want to share? I'd be interested to hear from long-term Conga dancers... how easy is it to give up if I was to take part in the occasional Conga - just to see what it's like? I'm pretty sure my parents have tried it at some point so I may try and talk to them about it over the weekend...
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Should Everybody Conga?... 5 comments
Comment by monkey on Saturday, 15th April 2006, 10:28am
I think the Conga is pretty safe these days. Although no scientific reports are available I think it actually has certain health benefits. I've heard on the grapevine that secret Conga clubs are springing up all over the place and Manchester is supposed to be the Conga captial of the UK with a thriv...
read moreing undergound Conga scene.
Although not totally into it myself I have known to drift and partake in a Conga line but I was very drunk and in my experimental students days, crazy times! I did enjoy it though so I'm glad Sam's had the courage to speak up about his experience and maybe others will feel they can tell us about theirs.
Comment by Timmy on Saturday, 15th April 2006, 12:15pm
As a preventative measure, I've heard that they can test for "Conga Hot Spots" in pubs and clubs that have a big conga problem and effectively stamp it out altogether. I'm not a big conga fan (although i must admit dabbling in a bit of cha-cha-cha in my wild days) but i am certainly not anti and as long as other people don't try and force in on me i will clap along.
Comment by James on Saturday, 15th April 2006, 5:09pm
This is quite worrying. I had heard that this sort of thing was prevalent at some of the more dubious houseparties, albeit in quite an underground way. I disagree with Monkey though - I have seen reports that in some of the more prolific cases, it can lead to the okey-kokey and, in some cases, even ...
read moreto the Birdy Song. There have even been quite horrific occurences of the covert distribution of Black Lace LPs. Speak to your parents about their experiences but if in doubt, try to limit yourself to one Auld Lang Syne a year.
Comment by Humphrey on Saturday, 15th April 2006, 10:56pm
A CONGA - I'm loving it! What a fabulous idea, can you imagine starting one off spontaniously in Amsterdam bar around 9pm on a Thursday night? Then congo-ing en-mass thro Charles Street (each depositing required £1 at door in-manner-of-formation-swimming-troupe) then out the back via The Star (picki...
read moreng up a decent bit of 'rear wheel drive' from The Star's solidly built punters), then slipping thro R-Bar, grabbing Maisie and sticking her up at front as mascot, then understandably not stopping at Manzone - as said train isn't men-only but a fully LGBT congo-train - before finally careering through Vavoom's sidings and terminating on Platform: Moosic Assylum at Charles Street Station with each carriage getting good once-over by door staff before together finally jumping onto dance floor as DJ Fabulous puts on Saint Kyle's 'Locomotion' (remixed by HRH Jo-Jo, Dulcie and Holly - natch!). Bagsy me and James get to travel on train's roof in 'Some Like It Hot' stylee...?
All together now....."Everybody's doing a brand new dance..."
Comment by MrTinker on Sunday, 16th April 2006, 5:03pm
I think Humphreys idea is AMAZING. I'm not one for a conga, but think the idea of a big conga pub crawl is genius Imagine the horror!!! I'm enjoying already!
Should Everybody Conga?... 5 comments