A Surprise Dance at SPACE
Live Music + Dance = Happiness
It all began as I wandered down Congress Street in Portland, Maine looking for a bite to eat. I had just emerged into the warm rays of the setting sun from the Portland Museum of Art, and had decided to slowly meander down towards my old haunt of the Old Port for some grub.
A couple blocks down from the museum, the lively beat of several drums caught my ear. With a small crowd of people standing outside of SPACE, I knew it could be no other place.
Drawn in by the thrumming drums, I poked my head around the corner to see what all the racket was about. Beckoned to come closer, I was greeted with a smile and an invitation to join this free concert.
Not one to turn down a good boogie (and mind you, it’s been a while due to a broken ankle!) I presented my wrist for the obligatory blue strap and began nodding my head to the beat along with the crowd.
Who was this awesome collection of musicians? I heard what sounded like a Caribbean accent, and it was impossible not to dance to their music — but where were they from? It turns out The Garifuna Collective has roots in Saint Vincent, and (from their website) “They are a seasoned collective of musicians from across different generations, with a dynamic that comes from playing and traveling the world together, sharing their music and stories with global audiences.” I was in for a treat!
As this was far from my expectation for the evening, I hadn’t come prepared with my earplugs, and the energetic percussion was already rattling inside my eardrums. Thankfully, the bar stocked some handy foam plugs and I could make my way back to the middle of the dance floor comfortably absorbing wave after wave of rhythm and percussion.
Well, the pain in my ears was gone, however my ankle was another story; after physio that morning and a solid day of walking, the fatigue was definitely setting in. Yet, there’s something truly magic about good music. With those drums pounding into my chest, the vocals weaving together in a call-and-response chorus with the audience, the pain was drowned out and I couldn’t help but sway lyrically to the earthy beat and sing along.
Physical pain aside, it wasn’t long before my growling stomach made itself known, but this short boogie was a much-needed shot of energy. It was time to get back outside to find food.
With a smile I greeted each passer-by… that post-dance afterglow is something truly unique. I first really began to notice it after attending ecstatic dances in Bali, then Los Angeles, and then all over the world. The energy is lifted, smiles abound, and the whole world just seems to glow a bit regardless of what’s happening outside.
Carried on a cloud of endorphins, my body felt fantastic and I floated on that little high all the way to my favorite little vegetarian restaurant in town, the Green Elephant, where I closed out my fun Friday night.
SPACE — If you’re ever in Portland, definitely check out the programming here.
The Garifuna Collective — So much fun! Check out their website for more info!