I can’t believe it! Three years since the first DANCEiSM. How did this happen? How did a house party turn into something so much bigger!

And so my story begins…

“We have keys to an empty bank downtown, lets throw a party.” This was music to my ears. Can you imagine? We could put an event together in an abandoned bank, 13 stories tall! The office cubicles could become a venue for the bands and give privacy for a promiscuous hook up. The bank-teller windows could host the bar, and the bank vault could be for VIP. It had to happen! Four weeks later and we got our party…

Our first few parties under the title:

D.A.N.C.E. to the UNDERGROUND //

That was my first event and it changed my life. The environment of an abandoned building downtown throwing people into chaotic spirals as the bass drops and lights pulse. We did it again and again, people found something they didnt know they were missing. The rawness of the venues, the energy of the DJs, those first parties were special…

We called it D.A.N.C.E.  For all the party goers. D.A.N.C.E. was a perfect symbol for everyone’s belief.  Living in L.A. this abandoned city of souls, empty industrial buildings everywhere, people could take their sense of self and obliterate it on the dance floor. Be you, D.A.N.C.E.

With time we grew and we soon realized there was demand for growth. More people, more sound, more experiences.  Lets get organized. So DANCEiSM was born. Friends assembled and we had our meeting, made a game plan: take it to the warehouses and do it right!  Our DANCEiSM LEAP YEAR LAUNCH PARTY was our first DANCEiSM (Feb 29th, 2008) and was beyond anything we expected. Slammed to capacity, line around the block. Inside, covered in body paint, hands flailing, people screaming, the walls melting from all the bodies. We created a space for original ideas, new people, and new friends. D.A.N.C.E. was about dance parties, centered on people having fun together. That was almost 3 years ago…

The first DANCEiSM was a spectacular success so we kept going! Parties at warehouses like Lot 613 and uber underground Hanger51. Party production started to get major too. We built our own full 360 octagon stage which we landed in the center of the floor and people could dance all around it. For the DJs inside it was like a spaceship!

In DANCEiSM’s first year we grew so fast! Parties were getting so big to plan that it was taking months of work to get them done. So we decided to throw some smaller ones on the monthly. An homage to our roots, We called it D.A.N.C.E. to the UNDERGROUND and kept our parties small, and secret. Directions: drive deep into the warehouse district past the junkyards and cranes find the anonymous parking lot next to the Carls Jr, and wait for the shuttle to take you speeding off into the backalleys to our  secret spot. Little did I know but through these parties I met some of the most important people in my life today, you know who you are Shout outs to Shifty Rhythms, Momentum, Krack Haus Crew, n La Forteleeza

Theres me on the left, bartending

My first epic crowd shot. Thanks Operandi

1 Year Anniversary

The 1 Year anniversary was the game changer. We gave it our all. Two warehouses, two epic stages, a dome outside, body paint walls, lasers and all sorts. I had my face all painted up with triangles and stuff, later I took it up as my logo. It took our relatively unknown party to new kid on the block. Afterwards everyone was talkin.

There’s my second epic shot, thanks Operandi.

DANCEiSM DANCE PARRTTYY

DANCEiSM made a name for itself as this epic warehouse party pretty much. But with so much planning, funding and promotion going into each event it got a bit overwhelming, like a job. Where was the fun in what were doing? Soon, we had an answer, we came back with a smaller party, something fun, something easy and simple. The DANCEiSM Dance Party was born, and so was DAN ISM, our very own mascot.

Back to the present and it’s 2011, and I never expected to be writing this.  DANCEiSM has steamrolled through all it’s barriers, emotional, physical, personal. It may be a party to some, but it’s become a way of life for others.  Good with bad, it’s been more than worth the time spent; our friendships have become like family and our faith has been continually tested.  But all in all we’ve come out stronger and more driven than ever to make the next step.

And Three is our magic number.

Here comes the big one.

I’m ready, we’re ready.

This is the year for DANCEiSM.

BELIEVE IN D.A.N.C.E.

Oh and here’s a few DANCEiSM related videos.

There’s me giving a how-to dress up for DANCEiSM:

Then there’s our interview about DANCEiSM. Reallly embarrassing to see myself talking… – Ben

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