I set out for Club 8 with a mixture of curiosity, anticipation and a little apprehension. Club 8 was my first home club where I began my initiation into the Dutch dance scene in 2004.  I had many good times there, fell in love on the dance floor and the heartbreak that soon followed began there too. Climbing the high staircase again reminded me of my Cinderella story of falling hard for the wrong prince.  I do, however, occasionally venture into Club 8  and the ghosts of the past are dimmer than they were before. 

 

Graffiti art covers all the walls in this paradoxically down-to-earth club which you find on the top floor of the building above the pool room and café. When I arrived at 11:15 one woman was already on the floor dancing alone and freely. I did my warm up in the back and then joined her. She smiled at me. The flyer said that Funknoir ,G-string, and Zip  were on the decks for this party. I was not familiar with these DJs so it was fun to find out  what they had to offer. This little group of  handsome DJs were already playing some very inviting music. The  DJ duo who call  themselves Funknoir (Marcus Boesenach and Ritsert Huijsman) were taking turns. I later learned that they call themselves Noir and Zip when spinning individually.

 

The music was really different and creative!  DJ Zip was playing some really beautiful, warm, melodious music, sometimes with vocals. There was a softer, slower version of  Feline Woman than what Ive heard before. The rest of the music was unfamiliar but very nice.  DJ Noir played some of the  far-out, hypnotic, dark music he is known for. As I was dancing, I realized that music can also physically  move me  when I am into it on the dance floor- and I was into it!   I simply must go to Disco Exota again and to add Funknoir to the list of DJs I follow.

 

People began to slowly arrive and mix with their friends for a drink at the bar. I was happy to see that two of the friendly bartenders from years ago were working there and still recognized me. The crowd was a mixture of ages with more people in their 30s or early 40s than I normally find.  One young couple smiled at me as our gazes met on the dance floor. It seemed to be a group of people who were relaxed and comfortable being themselves.

 

It was not the young glamorous-amorous crowd I often dance beside in some clubs. It felt just fine- even if I was the only one wearing some sequins and glitter. People can still pretty much dress as they please in Club 8 without feeling scrutinized by fellow party-goers. The security guard and  host/hostess at the door greet you and are not there to turn people away because they dont fit the image of the club or party like they do in some clubs where I dance.

 

More people came onto the dance floor around 1:30 as  DJ G-string took over the decks. He began a more lively set with a fast tempo. The people on the dance floor were obviously enjoying it. I didnt feel I could dance to it, being tired and satisfied from dancing for a few hours to inspiring music. I headed for home.

 

As I cycled  out into the night it became obvious that Turkey had just won the game. Car horns were honking at 2AM and Turkish flags were being waved from every form of passing vehicle.

 

As I biked home from the third of my four dance parties for the week, I thought, “I have become a creature of the night.” Then I laughed at the thought, “What? like a vampire?”  No, something else....like a cat? A Feline Woman? A Disco Volante! Like a blackbird singing in the dead of night. Yes. Something like that. 

 

Keep on dancing. 

Love,

Dancin Queen