Beginning the Day with Dance

By Rachel Levy-McLaughlin, Kingston Whig-Stanadard

Monday, February 20, 2017 8:28:08 EST PM

KINGSTON - While some might cringe at the idea of waking up before the sun does on a day off, the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning proved that fun can be had in those sleepy hours of the morning with a dance party.

The Dawn Shaker Dance Party started at 6:30 a.m. as part of the Artstravaganza, the Tett Centre's Family Day celebrations. With arts and crafts workshops, dance workshops and a multicultural arts festival, the Tett Centre was bustling with children, parents and bright colours all day.

The Dawn Shaker Dance Party kicked off as the sun was rising above the St. Lawrence River. As the sun rose higher, more and more families danced their way into the room. Soon, the room was filled with families, all bopping along to tunes of Cory Tucker with My Kinda DJ.

According to Tett Centre community engagement co-ordinator Shannon Brown, the party follows the trend of the Daybreaker dance parties that happen all around the world. Different name, but the same idea: start the day off with dancing.

"It's so good to start the morning off with dancing," said Albert Nernberg, who fitted himself out in a baby blue, fluffy top hat for the occasion. Nernberg, who is interested in morning rituals, said that dancing in the morning is healthy.

"Kids love this," he said, "and there's something magical about the sun rising over a dancing event."

By 7:30 a.m., the room was filled with that bright, early-morning sunshine.

"This is good for parents, too," said Brown. "It gives them an opportunity to dance outside of a dark club, and it's so good for kids to see parents dancing."

The Castillo family has been to these early-morning dance parties for three or four years now, said the father, Esteban. None of their four kids sit out of the dancing. They're all participating in the grooves.

The Castillos are well acquainted with dance parties, as they often throw their own at home, complete with mini-strobe light and glow sticks. They'll often invite their relatives, and this year they brought those relatives to the Dawn Shaker party.

"We love the music, and we love to dance," said Esteban Castillo. He bounces to the music and his whole family chuckles as he does the "dab" with one of his daughters.