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23 Jun 2011 18:08

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Culture: Phyllis from The Office was once an NFL cheerleader. Seriously.

  • I was at the height of my glory, because I loved dancing and wearing the boots and the hot pants, the tied up shirts, looking really hot. And I was able to dance, I loved football. My dad used to have season tickets, so I was flirting with the guys on the sidelines as much as I could. The organizations make sure that the cheerleaders and the players have minimal contact, but that’s what you try to do. It was great, in the ’70s.
  • Actor Phyllis Smith • Speaking of her job dancing on an NFL sideline way back in the 70s. Smith, who plays the similarly named Phyllis Lapin-Vance on NBC’s The Office, dreamed from a young age of being a dancer, and had success as a cheerleader as well as doing tap dancing in a vaudeville-style burlesque show. She got out of the dancing biz after a leg injury in her 30s, and worked reception for a few years before starting the acting career that ultimately landed her on the mega-hit comedy. Just another helpful reminder — it’s never to late to set new career goals for oneself. source

07 Jun 2011 12:53

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U.S.: Dancing at the Jefferson Memorial sparks new national holiday

  • banned Last Saturday, there was a flashmob at the Jefferson Memorial in DC to protest a dancing ban at the national icon. About 200 people showed up to party like it’s 1999 after a court said in May that the landmark isn’t a dancefloor. There was a similar happening closer to the court ruling, but people were roughed up and arrested.
  • rebellion Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes wants to declare July 30th “National Dancing Day” and move the dancing flashmob to the National mall in response to the court ruling. Norton said this whole thing was a wake up call, and DC should do more with the National Mall — like throw an awesome dance party on it. Good show. source

06 Jan 2011 17:03

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Offbeat: Happiness is a dancer: Crazy dancer turns seizure into dance

  • Does Susan Boyle have a sister? And does she like to dance? Because this woman … her moves are something else. Best part? Her name is Happiness. (Thanks Adam Griffiths) source

24 Nov 2009 10:59

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Culture: They’re like Facebook party pics, except with Katie Couric

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  • Considering we’ve looked this stupid on the dance floor before, no comment. source

26 Jul 2009 11:39

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Culture: Quick way to ratings success: Get a bunch of fat people dancing

You know, what better way to diet than to humiliate one’s self on a show called “Dance Your Ass Off” on Oxygen? We got it! Diet by blogging, like we’re doing. source

28 Jun 2009 21:17

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U.S.: Today’s the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Here’s a history.

  • What was it? The riots happened at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The fight, the result of a failed raid by police, escalated in a violent fashion, with hundreds of protesters outnumbering officers, throwing bricks and beer bottles, and setting the bar on fire. Four officers were hurt in the melee.
  • Why this was big Before this altercation, the gay rights movement had not fought back against the police officers who had gone out of their way to shut down bars they frequented and attacked gays and lesbians. The riot was spontaneous and a culmination of dealing with years of abuse. Simply put, they got sick of having to live in fear.
  • The end resultThe altercation, which created tensions for days afterward, led to organization that the LGBT movement didn’t have until that point. Every major moment of the gay rights movement – including protests, gay-themed publications, gay pride parades and the rise of Harvey Milk – can trace its roots to that night. source