Raving ’til the wee hours of the morning is not my summer strength. If I’m up after 11AM, I’m anxious. Despite the heat, I can’t bear to sit inside while the rest of the world glistens & bustles beneath the sun. I feel some (perhaps too much) shame for missing out on whatever the morning had to offer.
The farmers market, a bike ride; meandering about before the afternoon humidity sets in. Evening rolls around, the temperature normalizes. My phone buzzes with wyd tn’s and u going out’s? In warmer months, especially in the City, this onslaught of pocket-sized FOMO can feel intense at times.
Summer is a time of over-saturation. I do my best to manage. Sometimes it’s exhilarating; kid-in-the-candy-store style all-you-can-eat fun. Sometimes the fun-buffet leaves me feeling bloated and overwhelmed. I fill my plate only to eat half. I spend sticky nights tossing and turning through damp sheets. I over-analyze my casual summer fling. I wonder who’s on the dance floor tonight and why I didn’t want to go. Since we’ve started telling people where to dance on the Internet, I’ve felt some extra pressure in this regard.
It’s Saturday morning, I fish my phone out of my cool, crumpled sheets.
I shoot Pete a text: “how was”
He was at Basement last night. I can’t help but engage in a bit of self-inflicted jealousy.
“actually messed up...so much fucking fun man.”
Shit. I sit for a beat.
“I’m only good for day dancing these days but i have FOMO”
He comes back quickly.
“it’s always there... and it’s only good when ur brain wants it”
It’s always there and it’s only good when your brain wants it.
And that’s the beauty of New York City: when you go with open arms & real desire, the City and your body show up for you. I dance to open space inside. Cracking these pockets open with meditative movement helps me process the moments of life that we can easily glaze over. Summer dancing gets me processing just enough on the dance floor that I frolic away with a clear motivation to return the next week.
Between May and October, I find my freedom in the day. I rave under the beaming sun. I sweat away an old fling and twirl into the next. So, let this serve as FOMO jubilee for my early birds: you can have your cake and eat it too. Don’t come calling at 3AM; I’ve already had my fun.
To those up with the sun: here’s where you can find catharsis, joy and movement on the dancefloor (and where you’ll find me).
Sweet Kicks and Peer Pressure — Jacob Riis — July 20
Saint James Joy — St. James Place in Clinton Hill — July 27
Public Service — Classon Playground — August 10
Danny Krivit and Toribio — Knockdown Center Ruins — August 11
A footnote for friends & lovers: I (Serena) will be leaving New York in 30 short days to start school in California. Please come say hi on the dancefloor—don’t be a stranger!
Much love, keep dancing
Serena