I think we can all agree that life is better when you’re dancing. Whether it’s the cha cha slide, the bachata, or the cotton eye joe it’s important to have your body on the dance floor! Unfortunately right now we are not able to have dance parties or any parties actually, we have to be safe and take the proper precautions to not spread this virus and put anyone at risk. In this episode we reminisced on some parties we’ve been to, throwing dance parties, dance etiquette, and some of our favorite (and not so favorite) things about dance parties. Please go to the podcast section of our page to listen there, or you can find the podcast on both Apple Podcast and Spotify. If you are unable to listen in, watch it on our YouTube channel! And if you enjoy reading and want to get some bonus and inside information this blog was made for you!

Throwing Two Iconic Dance Parties

First the “Rep Your Generation” party and then the “All White Party”.

How do we come up with ideas?

My- Besides the idea for a decades party it is one of the hardest things to think of!

Mia- I feel like when you know you just know and have to go through with it.

What are the themes based on?

My- Themes that do not stumble others, that are fun, match the season the party is thrown in, and are not expensive to fulfill.

Mia- ^agreed. And the all white party just came to me because it was a movie quote.

Rep Your Generation

My- Best party to date in Rochester! The music was great, the people were great, and the food was bomb! Shoutout to all the people that helped out. Best moment was when I was dancing with this guy and popped a spin and THREW HIS WIG ACROSS THE PARTY. That pretty much sums up the party for me.

Mia- I think too it was hands down the best (I’m definitely biased though). There was a wide variety of people there, people from Rochester and those coming from out of town, state, and country. This party you could come dressed as the generation you were from or the one you related to most. Most people did the 90’s theme and it was super lit. From the time you walked in to the time you left you were dancing and having a good time. There was a photographer/ videographer there, good food and refreshments, and a solid DJ. It had everything a party needed.

All White Party

My- Fun but not as lit as the first one, not many people dance even though the music was more “diversey”.

Mia- It was a lot of fun! The first will forever be the greatest, but this one I feel like the outfits were better and the vibes were nice. The photographer shot it all in black and white so the pictures came out really cool.

Party planning prep vs attending a party prep

Do you buy a new outfit or wear clothes you already have?

My- New everything. My shopping habits are not as bad as before, but if you know me I’m getting a new jacket, pants, shirt, sneakers, even new hair!!

Mia- And if you know me, if possible I’ll wear something old. If it's a themed party I’ll buy something new, but at the most I’ll do a new top.

There was one party we both had to shop for, a formal/ Hollywood kind of themed party, we both went out and bought dresses and shoes and things like that. Speaking of shopping, when I buy an outfit I have to be 100%, not 80, not 96, but 100! So clothes shopping with me according to Myzsa is painful. But this party also reminds me of one of my favorite Myzsa dancing experiences when this kid tried to battle her and she milly rocked on him so hard you would’ve thought that they knew each other and he had personally offended her. It was amazing.

More favorite party moments

Canada- This was not a party but a dance experience, there was a jazz night at the aquarium and we turned that place out. It all started with the idea to do the electric slide this song and a couple of weeks before at the jazz festival where we live they performed the same song and did the line dance so we paid it forward. At first no one joined and we assumed it was because maybe the electric slide was American, but soon after it died down someone asked us to reach them and their family. After that the whole aquarium was with us as we waved our hands and screamed “And right, two, three, and step! And left, two, three, and step!” and from there everyone was super comfortable and the dancing went on for the rest of the night.

Poughkeepsie

Maria- We drove up 4 hours for this dance party. I thought it was a regular party but it was very Spanish and they played 2 “urban” songs. I got to dance with a friend we knew there and it was goofy and fun and made me realize, you don't have to be a good dancer but you do have to enjoy dancing. That party also had some of the best dancers too. This is when I learned cumbia. This party also reminds me of a party we attended in Texas. Unlike Poughkeepsie, it was a house party, very simple but it had a similar feel, There was good music, food, and people.

Myzsa- Agreed. When The “urban” songs were played I danced my heart out. It made me think of the parties I’ve thrown and there are like two cliche and overplayed songs from other cultures and just like how I was, that’s the only real time to show out, so for the next party we will diversify the playlist! Also at that party there was a little girl who wanted to dance like me and it was adorable.

What’s more important, the ceremony or the reception?

Myzsa- Reception hands down! I’m going there to dance. Also you get to see the couple more relaxed and have fun.

Maria- My vote is reception. But I will say the ceremony is a sweet and tender time and if I know and love the couple it makes it that much better. But I usually look forward to the reception more.

Whether you are throwing or attending a party there certain spoken and unspoken rules and etiquette to follow

Invites/ RSVP’s

My- For invites I’ve learned to do a simple text and not overthink it. I ABSOLUTELY HATE WHEN PEOPLE DO RSVP EVEN THO I DONT DO IT! 58 people rsvp to the Rep Your Generation party and like 250 people showed up.

Maria- I don’t have such strong feelings about that, but we can get a little picky about who we invite, it’s nothing exclusive but we don’t like any craziness happening so we are very cautious.

Dance partners

My- Just vibe with me, lets have fun. If I'm dancing with my girls then ok let rock! There was one party where a guy was giving me pointers while dancing and coaching me to the point that later I’d just look at my phone so he wouldn't ask to dance. But I also danced with some of the greatest dancers while there and they made me feel like I was floating.

Mia- Any partner is better than no partner (upside down smiling face). That sounds desperate but it’s slim pickings sometimes.

How do you feel about dancing with your girls?

M- I feel like it's cool at times but come on guys ASK US TO DANCE. Asking me to dance isn’t giving me a pen to sign a marriage license.

Mia- Yes, it’s a necessary evil lol

My: AND I HAVE STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THIS. I just want to dance and have a good time. Lets just have some fun and keep it moving. It all chills over here. Now I mean if there is a vibe then go ahead and slide them digits lol;)

When do you thinks its right to take off your shoes?

My- As soon as lip gloss plays, you can not properly dance to that song in heels. I say try to keep them on for all the Spanish songs so you look extra fancy when a dude decides to one ask you to dance and spin you.

Mia- Only when you’re on the verge of not being able to dance anymore. I try to dance in them as long as possible and then when they’re off they’re just off unless I gain the strength to put them back on. (Agreed, they are a must for certain songs) and if you’re brave you’ll try to do a line dance in heels.

What is your dance party pet peeve?

Mia- Foolishness. Don't act up.

My- NOT DANCING AT A DANCE PARTY! ALSO SHOWING UP UNINVITED.

Dance Songs

What song makes you run to the dance floor?

My- Swag surfin’, This is how we do it, jump around, and any throw back I'm running to the dance floor.

Maria- usually any Maria song or lip gloss. Or any throwbacks, 80’s or early 2000’s.

Do you prefer songs you can vibe and sing to, jump around to, or dance to?

My- It depends on my mood.. I’d say dancing but most likely if I’m dancing I’m singing.

Maria- Dance to is my top vote or sing/ vibe. Absolutely not jump around to.

One song we hate that is played at parties?

My- Cha cha slide, I actually ask for it not to be played at my parties, like when are we going to move on?

Mia- ^STRONGLY DISAGREEEEEE, IT’S A CLASSIC. Mine is turn down for what

What is your closing party song?

Mia: If you can hold on to your best song I say save it for the last, if not, play a slow vibe so we can cool down and help clean up.

My: Agreed, my song is Closing Time.

Which leads us to...

Closing Comments

My- WHEW WE DID IT! So like a nsync song ima say “bye bye bye”

After this whole discussion I think we can all agree that we are long overdue for a dance party. We look forward to when the world opens up, and when it does we will celebrate! Thank you so much you guys for joining, we appreciate your support in this. Don’t forget to check out our Instagram for fun clips of the production of this episode and pictures and videos from the parties we’ve discussed, that’s @couchcushionspodcast. Don’t forget to check out our favorite songs below!

Line dances

Move Your Body- Beyonce
Cotton Eye Joe- Rednex
Cha Cha Slide- DJ Casper
Follow The Leader- The Soca Boys
Just Fine- Mary J Blidge
El Beeper- Oro Solido
Bikers Shuffle- Big Mucci
Danza Kuduro- Don Omar
Cupid Shuffle- Cupid

Dancing Songs

Before I Let Go- Maze
Kiss Kiss- Chris Brown ft T-Pain
Freeze- Chris Brown ft T-Pain
Lip Gloss- Lil Mama
I Wanna Dance With Somebody- Whitney Houston
One, Two Step- Ciara
Summertime- DJ Jazzy Jeff
The Show- Slick Rick
This is How We Do It- Montell Jordan

Spanish Songs

Rebelion- Joe Arroyo
Maria Se Fue- Oro Solido
Tu Amor Me Hace Bien- Marc Anthony
Baila Esta Cumbia- Selena
Una Calle Nos Separa- Nestor En Bloque
Hilito- Romeo Santos
La Duena Del Swing- Los Heranos Rosario
Yo No Se Manana- Luis Enrique
Corazon Sin Cara- Prince Royce
Stand By Me- Prince Royce

Singing Songs

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough- Marvin Gaye
Lets Stay Together- Al Green
Can We Talk- Tevin Campbell
End of the Road- Boyz ii Men
I’m Going Down - Mary J Blidge

Cha Cha Real Smooth