Flash Mob for my 40th

As I prepare to turn fo-fo-fortunate to be alive (mmmkay, I struggle with 4-0 but in the past year, covid has killed millions and "snowvid" in TX took hundreds... so as much as aging stinks, thank God for another trip around the sun), I have choreographed a flash mob to my favorite song, Dancing Queen by ABBA. This is feel-good music. To move to this song is to experience happiness that knows no racial, religious, gender, sexual, age, nor economic bounds. This is a call-to-action for one and all to dance, jive, and have the time of your life!

Join me at Blue Hole Park in Georgetown, TX on my birthday, Wed, Aug 11 at 6pm for a Dancing Queen Flash Mob. The choreography is simple. I'm certain that I won't be the best dancer in the mob (1000% okay with that). But the moves match the music and the music is FUN! So, just have fun! I encourage you to dust off the old Bedazzler and show up in all your glittery, shiny, sequins fabulousness. Wear whatever makes you feel like a Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen!

After the Flash Mob, my husband, our kids, and I will head to nearby El Monumento, and authentic mexican restaurant with a contemporary twist (and the best margaritas this side of the Rio Grande). We welcome you to join us and raise a glass!

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Here's the full choreography. (Be sure to lead all moves on your right side). Successive blog posts feature the routine broken down into eight easy-to-learn parts, where I guide from your true right side.

We'll have a Zoom rehearsal on Wed, July 7 at 6pm CST. Click here to join that rehearsal.

Note: all of the moves are to be initiated on your right lead.

Here are the choreography notes. There are special sentiments... the "Elvis" lip is an expression all of the ladies on my mom's side of the family make. "Spread the butter" is a dance move coined by my beloved baton twirling coach, Andy Ehrenfeld. The "double arm shake low, double arm shake high" comes from the Mamma Mia! motion picture, my favorite movie of all time.

Dancing Queen by ABBA (performed by Meryl Streep, Julie Walters, & Christine Baranski, Mamma Mia! Soundtrack)

Ooh, ooooh Ooh, ooo ooo ooo oooooh Ooh Sway Arms

Buh dub bu dub bu dub Low, Medium, High

Ooh, ooooh Ooh, ooo ooo ooo oooooh Ooh Sway Arms

Oh yeah Shakey Right Hand up

You can dance R point

You can jive L point

Having the time of your life R point “Saturday Night Fever,” L arm out with hand in fist

Ooh, see that girl R peace fingers across eyes

Watch that scene L peace fingers across eyes

Digging the dancing queen Shoulder Shimmy

Friday night and the lights are low Box Step (aka Jazz Square) with arms low, palms down

Looking out for a place to go Box Step (aka Jazz Square) with L arm medium, palm up, R hand on forehead "looking"

Where they play the right music V Step Forward & Back, arms high/ arms low

Getting in the swing V Step Forward & Back, arms high/ arms low

You come to look for a king R elbow to side, R hand hip circles with “Elvis” lip

Anybody could be that guy presentation R arm, palm up

Night is young and the music's high presentation L arm, palm up, on “high” drop to ground and shaky all the way up

With a bit of rock music Air guitar while leaning back 3-2-1, kick

Everything is fine Double arm shake low, Double arm shake high

You're in the mood for a dance Double arm shake low, Double arm shake high

And when you get the chance arms 360 around to semi-squat pose

You are the dancing queen Spread the butter

Young and sweet Sassy arms medium-high, Sassy arms medium

Only seventeen arms 360 around to semi-squat pose, rainbow around to the other side

Dancing queen Finger guns R, L, double R

Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah Finger guns L, R, double L. R hand shake low, arm up

You can dance R point

You can jive L point

Having the time of your life R point “Saturday Night Fever,” L arm out with hand in fist

Ooh, see that girl R peace fingers across eyes

Watch that scene L peace fingers across eyes

Digging the dancing queen Shoulder Shimmy

You're a teaser, you turn 'em on Pelvic Thrusts R/L

Leave 'em burning and then you're gone Pelvic Thrusts R/L, wave as you turn to the back

Looking out for another Booty shift R, L, double R

Anyone will do Booty shift L, R, double L

You're in the mood for a dance drop to ground and shaky all the way up

And when you get the chance arms 360 around to semi-squat pose

You are the dancing queen Spread the butter

Young and sweet Sassy arms medium-high, Sassy arms medium

Only seventeen arms 360 around to semi-squat pose, rainbow around to the other side

Dancing queen Finger guns R, L, double R

Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah Finger guns L, R, double L. R hand shake low, arm up

You can dance R point

You can jive L point

Having the time of your life R point “Saturday Night Fever,” L arm out with hand in fist

Ooh, see that girl R peace fingers across eyes

*Instrumental Lateral Lunge with Arsinio arm while leaning back

Watch that scene Peace fingers to Point

Digging the dancing queen Pose

Digging the dancing queen High Fives

*This part onward changed from the embedded video above, since we're no longer jumping in the river. (Thanks to those of you who voiced to me that the river jump was a barrier for you to get on board with the Flash Mob).

Please be sure to let me know if you will be participating in the Aug. 11 6pm Flash Mob so that we know to expect you. If you have not already contacted me through social media, please just click the TTMG link on this website or visit www.brookbenten.com/contact-bb and drop me a line to let me know you're "in." I hope to see you, sequins and all, on 8/11/21.

Please join us for a Flash Mob rehearsal on July 7 (virtual) by registering here: www.brookbenten.com/events-1