Thursday 21 April 2011

April 21, 1991: Dance-a-Thon, The (Amazing) Sequel

Of all the off-work appearances troughout M's career, this is definitely one of my all-time favourites. Precisely 20 years ago and for the 2nd time, Madonna joined hundreds of people for the 3rd annual Dance-a-Thon, held by AIDS Project Los Angeles. Due to the success of both previous events (her presence at the first one was surely one of the causes), the APLA's dance marathon moved from the Shrine Auditorium to the LA Sports Arena. Huge!

While 89's appearance was all about style, sunglasses and cut-off jeans, this time was for serious dancing. Dressed up in tracksuit pants and that oh-so-marvellous combination of black bra & white top, Madonna wasn't just showing herself around. She danced her ass off, up to that amazing state of grace: totally covered in sweat. That hair, dear Lord...

Those were the days when house music was reaching world domination (God, how I miss them) and, once more, Madonna was at the forefront of such crucial movement in contemporary culture.
I'm so sad that my VCR doesn't work anymore. I have this videotape with one of those low-budget-low-quality biographies, containing several minutes of home-video footage of M's furious dancing at 91's Dance-a-Thon. I remember watching it over and over again, in absolute religious ecstasy. Every move, that amazing body and gorgeous face, fingers snapping to the rythm... Madonna taught me how to dance.

Unortunately, I still can't find the footage on the internet. But I can still remember every second of it. The best things always remain in your brain.

















Update (on June 6, 2011): ask and you shall receive!
As I was going through Facebook, I saw something that made my eyes pop. THE VIDEO!!!
Thank you, DivinaMadonna.com!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I make your own words mine. It is with wonder and a melting heart that i remember this episode in M's career. She has a HUGE influence in my life and YES, she taught us how to dance!Oh Lord, we wanna be like Her desperately. To be fierce, outrageous, spontaneous, outspoken was the word of the day. Miss Her, miss me and most of all i miss you and our friendship!you're going to be ALWAYS my family too.

Rui Clemente said...

And your words are mine as well. Getting emotional now...
Thank you so much for your comment. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Love this moment!!!
Josegirlie

Rui Clemente said...

She looks SOOOO GOOORGEOUS!!!