Aug. 17, 2010 — The night before the first National Dance Day someone gave me the advice that no one could stop me from dancing, but I didn’t listen to that person for two reasons. I let anger stop me from enjoying myself, and I woke up with one of my screaming, throbbing migraine headaches.   

Looking back a few weekends ago to July 31, I wish I had danced through the headache. Pain sufferers know that sometimes the best relief for pain is to get up and do something and ignore the pulsing hurt. After all, I was one a several dozen dancers who went to Memorial Park the Tuesday before National Dance Day to learn an easy routine to dance with others at Walmart, Safeway and Relay For Life on Saturday, July 31.   

Nigel Lythgoe, one of the creators of the TV sensation “So You Think You Can Dance,” has said dance has proven it has no cultural boundaries and cultivates imagination and passion. Most importantly, the day is intended to promote health and wellness nationwide.  

J and J Performing Arts owner Jessica Newton, Jessica Speiker and my daughter live for dance and went to a weekend dance conference featuring many of the performers from Lythgoe’s show. At the conference, they were taught a dance to which they changed and then taught the Tuesday crowd. The idea was to have spontaneous flash mob dances ate local businesses and the relay.  It was a local hit.  

I spent about 45 minutes learning the dance, and confirmed I am not coordinated. Moving my feet and arms and head at the same time to the beat of music is nearly impossible, but I had fun and worked up a nice heart rate and a glow on my face. (Since some of my ancestors are Southern women, I stick to the adage, women don’t sweat, they glow.) That’s funny; actually, I needed a shower when I got home, and a gallon of water.  

I practiced the dance all week, even showing my indulgent staff some of my not-so-cool moves. I was ready for Saturday. But alas the headache and my daughter’s fear I would embarrass her stopped me from enjoying myself. Later, I thought of course I would embarrass her. I am 50; she is 15. That’s my job. I will dance if I feel like it from now on. I just may take an adult dance class in the future.    

No, no body stop. Everybody move; Get up and dance, get up and dance; move your body b-b-body, No, nobody stop. Everybody move; Get up and dance get up and dance, move your body b-b-body.   

Those lyrics are from a song by a Canadian band called Faber Drive. Maybe my daughters will be impressed I know that. (Honestly, I have no idea why I know that.)   

I used to dance all night on Friday and Saturday night at Illinois Quad City bar called of all things the Urban Cowboy. Can you guess the theme? And yes, it had a mechanical bull in the corner.   

I am just not quite ready to sing out loud. That prospect even embarrasses me. I am afraid someone will mistake me for a dying river gull.