Elijah Mortlock, Charlotte Ahrens, and Leigh-Anne Kavanagh strike a pose! Photo: Mica Lynnah
Two Bega Valley organisations known for good times are combining this Saturday (October 20) for the ultimate eighties dance party.
“Pump Up The Heat is a party with a twist. There will be DJs and dancing, a little bit of competition and plenty of awesome eighties moves,” says dance teacher Mica Lynnah.
The night is a joint effort between the Funhouse and Bega Sound Collective and runs 6 pm till late at Bega Country Club.
“The competition side of it is very light-hearted and there will be trophies!” Mica says.
Dance Categories include:
Solo – For solo performers dancing to an 80s track;
Group – For groups performing to an 80s track;
Endurance – For those who could just dance all night, the last dancer standing will be the ultimate champion;
Junior – For under 16’s, solo and group acts welcome;
Junior Endurance – For under 18’s who could just dance all night! This comp runs from 7-9pm;
Back to the Future – For those who just don’t want to indulge the 80s any further. Jump in the DeLorean and set the time for an era of your choosing. Time travel 80’s style! Solo and group performers welcome;
Freestyle – These heats are for those with all the moves up their sleeves. Acts will last 30 to 60 seconds;
Pro – This is the category for experienced and classically trained dancers and professionals working in dance;
Family – For inter-generational dance troupes and duos;
Senior – For those who are feeling their age;
Wild Card – Anything goes!
Funds raised on the night support the Funhouse being the dynamic community space that it is.
“The money will be used to pay off the air-conditioner we got for the blue room thanks to the support of Jani Klotz, one of our amazing yoga teachers,” says Funhouse founder Cayce Hill.
“One of the best things about Funhouse is that we have a really committed group of people who have been willing to step up and support the space. If it was just up to me we would be in a lot of trouble!”
Since the Funhouse burst into the Bega community in 2016 it has become a hub for a range of people, interests, and ideas.
“The Funhouse has a natural rhythm like the tides,” Cayce says.
“There are so many different people who come and use the space, different community groups, individual businesses, it’s been a true joy to watch.
“The thing that makes Funhouse a funhouse is that we try to be as inclusive of as many different events and ideas as possible. Nothing is off the table.”
Cayce Hill, Elijah Mortlock, and Erin Moon in eighties mode. Photo: Mica Lynnah
A generous landlord, loyal crowdfunding support, and socially minded sponsorship have kept the Hill Street space open.
“But we are coming up on the end of our crowdfunding monies and I have been totally unsure of what to do, Cayce says.
“As much as I love the social enterprise aspect of the space and that it is community funded, the ultimate goal is for the Funhouse to be able to sustain itself, which at the moment it does not.
“I’ve been toying with new business models and partnerships these past few weeks and there might be some exciting developments in the near future, stay tuned!”
In the meantime, Cayce and Mica will turn up the tunes and dance like no one is watching.
“I love the eighties and can’t wait for Saturday night,” Mica says.
“It’s no secret I’m a big fan of Kate Bush, and ‘Hounds of Love’ is still one of my favourite albums of all time.
“It’s a very fun era for dressing up, and the music was awesome.”
As a child of the eighties, Cayce says “No one seemed to shy away from the tackier side of life, which is where the real fun is at!”
“Plus all that new technology just made things so interesting.
“You can hear it in the music with all the amazing synths. I can’t wait to hear those synths on Saturday!”
Elijah Mortlock and Charlotte Ahrens getting ready for the dance floor on Saturday night. Photo: Mica Lynnah
Dance judges on the night are Brooke Hutchins an experienced dancer with years as a competitive dancer in Sydney.
Alicia Zaman, a Sydney drag queen and established performer who has an eye for costumes. And me, Ian Campbell, a forty-something father of three stuck in the eighties and nineties.
“Alica is a fabulous performer and will also be treating us to a short performance,” Mica says.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun. There’s not much to it, this party is for people who want to dance, people who love the eighties, or people who just want to come and watch and be a part of the atmosphere.”
Tickets are $10 to $25 and available online via TryBooking.
“My thanks to all the amazing volunteers and people in the Funhouse community who put incredible events like this together, specifically event organiser Mica. Bega would be a boring place without you all,” Cayce says.
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