Dance, Dance Revolution

New York City has outlawed dancing-without-a-license since 1926. Seriously. Bars and restaurants require cabaret licenses -- originally a measure to crack-down on interracial couples -- if people want to shake a leg. And, in some cases, proprietors have been fined for failure to stop dancers.

All that may soon change, as Mayor Bloomberg is said to be planning a repeal of these arcane laws.

As ridiculous as it was that these laws have existed -- putting NYC in the lonely anti-dance camp only otherwise occupied by religious extremists -- it's more ridiculous that it took so long to tackle them. Despite efforts from advocates like Scott Jeffrey of Legalize, there has never been a really strong, public, dynamic, effective movement to make this change...despite being in a strong, dynamic entertainment-fueled city of conscious, creative-class warriors.

It's a reminder that battles are everywhere. But progress is everywhere too. As small as "right-to-dance" victories may seem in light of larger challenges, it does represent a step forward for creative expression, a step away from senseless authoritarianism, and a recognition that culture, celebration and joy should not be restricted.

It shouldn't be restricted by law...and it shouldn't be left out of activism. Joy is one of our strongest forces to motivate and unite, and ultimately to make change.

As Emma Goldman famously said, "If I can't dance, I don't want to be in your revolution."

And to quote another inspirational hero who led protests against the forces that would keep us dance-less:

From the oldest of times, people danced for a number of reasons. They danced in prayer, or so that their crops would be plentiful, or so their hunt would be good. And they danced to stay physically fit, and show their community spirit. And they danced to celebrate. And that is the dancing we're talking about. Aren't we told in Psalm 149? "'Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song. Let them praise his name in the dance.'' Amen. And it was King David- King David, who we read about in Samuel. And what did David do? What did David do? What did David do? ''David danced before the Lord with all his might leaping and dancing before the Lord.'' Leaping and dancing. Ecclesiastes assures us that there is a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to laugh and a time to weep. A time to mourn and there is a time to dance. And there was a time for this law, but not anymore. See, this is our time to dance. It is our way of celebrating life. It's the way it was in the beginning. It's the way it's always been. It's the way it should be now.

- Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon)
Footloose