The Awkward Dance Project

So a few friends have linked back to this site, several months after I left it to rust with neglect. Donations for this particular project are closed, but videos are still coming (almost done!)

Since my audience is basically my Facebook friends, I’m just posting them there. If you’re not part of that group, and interested to see them, just ask me at info@awkwardance.com.

Will there be a Round 3? At this time, I’m thinking not. It’s been a great experience, and awesome to see people I love–and total strangers!–rally in support of the project. But geez, does it get to be time consuming, and my life has a way of staying ‘exciting’ (sometimes in the good way, sometimes in the stressful way.)

It’s also been illuminating to see how many people’s lives have been touched by cancer, particularly Pancreatic Cancer. What an awful disease, and–video or no–I do hope you consider a donation to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, or engage in whatever advocacy feels right to you.

It’s a special kinda Friday, so how about a bonus video? My sister’s colleague Brandi and I are both clearly Jim Henson fans. The 80s show Fraggle Rock was a key part of my childhood–sometimes I still catch myself asking my compost pile for advice. (Just kidding; I don’t actually compost in my apartment.)

The song is the opening theme to Fraggle Rock. (Of course, this is just a preview of her video. She’ll get access to the full thing, as will my other friends on Facebook.)

So, this is the last day at my current job. Every Friday for the past 3 years that I’ve worked here, my colleague Olivia would stop by my office to say hi and catch up. It’s going to be very weird closing out the week without her. Olivia, here’s a totally belated wedding and birthday and everything else gift for you and Jason. I hope you like it!

The song is the genius that is “We Built This City” by Starship. (Of course, this is just a preview of her video. She’ll get access to the full thing, as will my other friends on Facebook.)

I’m tense and nervous, and I can’t relax–so better exorcise all that energy through DANCE. Brewmaster extraordinaire Erich has picked the classic Talking Heads track “Psycho Killer” and I’m just going to assume it’s because it is an awesome song and not anything to do with my personality. If you see Erich, thank him for his support of my project, and definitely try his beer if you get a chance. It is delicious.

(Of course, this is just a preview of his video. He’ll get access to the full thing, as will my other riends on Facebook.)

Another close family friend Helen has picked a family-favorite song for her donation: Simon and Garfunkle’s “Scarborough Fair/Canticle.” There’s a blue velvet dress my mom bought in the 70s(?) that we all wore for various medieval/Renaissance costumes, and I regret not having it for this video. So just imagine I’m wearing it, yes?

(Of course, this is just a preview of her video. She’ll get access to the full thing, as will my friends on Facebook.)

Ellen is way more than a pancreatic cancer survivor: she’s a talented illustrator and a totally rad person, to boot. Case in point – for her song pick, she requested my mom’s favorite song. As anyone who knows my family is well aware, my mother was a rabid Beatles fan, so for those of you who have complained that there’s not enough “awkward” in this project, I present “I’m Down”:

(Of course, this is just a preview of her video. She’ll get access to the full thing, as will my other friends on Facebook.)

Sarah is very earnest in her efforts to fight back against Pancreatic Cancer, as illustrated by her donation to my project and her selection of the very serious “In the Air Tonight” by the great Phil Collins. I tried for choreography that really calls attention to the brilliant songwriting in this piece:

(Of course, this is just a preview of her video. She’ll get access to the full thing, as will my other friends on Facebook.)

Beth was one of my mother’s closest friends and still a major part of our family. I love her dearly, but she presented me with the totally rigged challenge of one-upping her 3 year old granddaughter. I didn’t succeed – but maybe I can make y’all giggle a bit:

The song is Taio Cruz’s “Dynamite.” (Of course, this is just a preview of her video. She’ll get access to the full thing, as will my friends on Facebook.)

Also! Thanks to some generous offline donations, I’ve reached my fundraising goal! Geeeeez, thanks you guys. I’m wrapping up donations, but if you’d still like a video, you can donate until August 15.  Here’s how it works.