Welcome to the Dance Dance Party Party

 

 

Ladies, picture a dance club.

 

Now take away the bar. And get rid of that drink in your hand.

 

Erase any males from the scene.

 

Replace your sky-high heels with running shoes.

 

Now: dance, dance, dance.

 

This is the idea behind Dance Dance Party Party (DDPP), a workout developed in 2006 in New York. Since then, it has spawned several chapters throughout North America and even a couple in New Zealand.

In spring 2008, the first Canadian chapters of DDPP opened in Vancouver and Toronto.

 

Sara Bynoe, the founder of DDPP Vancouver, said she found out about the workout program while surfing the Internet. She then began to run the program out of the Mount Pleasant Community Centre in Vancouver.

“It sounded like such an amazing thing, I had to do it,” she said.

 

Unfortunately Bynoe recently moved to the U.K. and, since her departure, Mount Pleasant has discontinued the program.

 

She said the best thing about the dance party is its light-hearted tone.

 

“It’s the idea that we’re taking time in our week to do something fun and silly,” she said.

 

The average dance party lasts for about an hour and 15 minutes.

 

“It’s a workout, but it’s mostly about busting out silly moves or trying serious ones or spontaneous

choreography,” said Crissy Calhoun, founder of DDPP Toronto.

 

Calhoun said her group tries to meet once a month, though they have been considering making the dance party a weekly event. Finding a space to accommodate the parties is the only thing holding them back.

 

Attendance for each dance party varies, according to both Calhoun and Bynoe.

 

Generally, about 15 people turn out to each dance party in Toronto, said Calhoun.

 

Bynoe said about six to eight people showed up for the dance parties in Vancouver, but occasionally there would be more.

 

There are very few rules for the program, which can be both a good thing and a bad thing, she said.

 

“It’s only as much fun as the people participating make it,” she said.

 

But, like many fitness classes, DDPP is not for everyone.

 

Carleton student Jill Blackstock said she would “never in a million years” attend DDPP.

 

“Exercise time is my time,” she said.

 

Blackstock said she would rather go for a run than go to a dance party.

 

Some women say they are interested in trying it, but aren’t sure if they would make it a regular activity.

 

“I would probably try it once, but I wouldn’t make it part of my regular routine,” said Sabina Lam, another Carleton student.

 

Lam is a member of Goodlife Fitness and takes part in various programs, such as the spin classes, offered there.

 

Amanda Weatherdon, another Carleton student, said DDPP is an interesting concept.

 

“What girl doesn’t like to bust a move without feeling awkward or trying to impress anyone?” she said.

 

“We all start dancing around all the time anyways — whether it’s cleaning or just listening to music while we get ready.”

 

But, like Lam, Weatherdon said she is unsure whether DDPP would become part of her regular workout routine.

 

Calhoun has a message for those who aren’t quite sure about DDPP, though.

 

“Even if you’re a bit hesitant going into Dance Dance Party Party, you’ll feel amazing afterward,” she said.