BEWARE - THE CONGA LINE !!!!

[rcanzano]

I've mentioned before that as well as doing Photography, I do Video and DJ-ing. Well at this one Christmas party this year I was hired to do all three things - at once. It was quite interesting. I'd start a song, snap some pictures while my wife was running one video camera, I'd put down my still camera and adjust the other video cam, then back to the DJ booth to play the next song. And so it went through the night.

I had forgotten about "The Conga Line Incident" until I finally sat down to do some editing. Unfortunately my wife did not have the camera aimed my direction or I'd post the video, but it went something like this . . . . .

During dancing a conga line started spontaneously (as conga lines sometimes do) and as the large group left the dance floor one after another in the line I figured I'd get some photos of the event. So as they started back towards the dance floor I positioned myself so that as each person passed I could snap a shot of everyone as they passed me. Great idea right?

Well yes . . . and no.

As I snapped away I didn't realize that the line made a circle around me and as more and more people retuned to the dance floor they just kept circling and circling, spiraling inward like a boa constrictor. Next thing I know, I'm trapped inside and the line doesn't break.

Now folks, I've been DJ-ing for many years and I've seen plenty of conga lines (from the safety of my DJ booth) and by the time they get back to the dance floor they usually break up and people return to regular dancing (if that's what you call it). But noooooooo, not this time. It quite literally constricts around me so tightly that I have to drop the camera down and protect it while I spin in a circle. They would not stop. As I'm being crushed in the middle (and mind you I'm only 5' 6" tall) I realize my song is about to end and my wife, even if she was looking my way, wasn't going to be able to see me to realize my predicament.

Luckily, with about 20 seconds left in the song, a small (and I do mean small) opening became visible. I tucked the camera under my arm, ducked down and made a break for it, just in time to start the next song.

I post this as a warning to all. When shooting a conga line don't do it from the middle of the dance floor.

BEWARE THE CONGA LINE !!!!!!!!

[Wazza]

Sounds like a tough bite.

Aren't you glad, they don't share venom

[usukshooter]

haha good story. at least nothing disastrous happened so you can laugh about it now.

[arpi]

that was funny ;)

[UncleDoug]

Too much!

I'd consider all that fun a MAJOR compliment!

Heck if your DJ'ing can whip a crowd into that type of good time frenzy you are good!!!!!

[Cassie]

LOL!

[wrphhi]

rconzano, besides your other talents, you also have the gift of writing (and I'll bet story telling). Keep it coming.

[Carzee]

Good story and it sounds to me that its the perfect "excuse" to get a PYT assistant (with all the options - low mileage, nice legs...)

[The22oz]

I've mentioned before that as well as doing Photography, I do Video and DJ-ing. Well at this one Christmas party this year I was hired to do all three things - at once. It was quite interesting. I'd start a song, snap some pictures while my wife was running one video camera, I'd put down my still camera and adjust the other video cam, then back to the DJ booth to play the next song. And so it went through the night.

I had forgotten about "The Conga Line Incident" until I finally sat down to do some editing. Unfortunately my wife did not have the camera aimed my direction or I'd post the video, but it went something like this . . . . .

During dancing a conga line started spontaneously (as conga lines sometimes do) and as the large group left the dance floor one after another in the line I figured I'd get some photos of the event. So as they started back towards the dance floor I positioned myself so that as each person passed I could snap a shot of everyone as they passed me. Great idea right?

Well yes . . . and no.

As I snapped away I didn't realize that the line made a circle around me and as more and more people retuned to the dance floor they just kept circling and circling, spiraling inward like a boa constrictor. Next thing I know, I'm trapped inside and the line doesn't break.

Now folks, I've been DJ-ing for many years and I've seen plenty of conga lines (from the safety of my DJ booth) and by the time they get back to the dance floor they usually break up and people return to regular dancing (if that's what you call it). But noooooooo, not this time. It quite literally constricts around me so tightly that I have to drop the camera down and protect it while I spin in a circle. They would not stop. As I'm being crushed in the middle (and mind you I'm only 5' 6" tall) I realize my song is about to end and my wife, even if she was looking my way, wasn't going to be able to see me to realize my predicament.

Luckily, with about 20 seconds left in the song, a small (and I do mean small) opening became visible. I tucked the camera under my arm, ducked down and made a break for it, just in time to start the next song.

I post this as a warning to all. When shooting a conga line don't do it from the middle of the dance floor.

BEWARE THE CONGA LINE !!!!!!!!

I remember the old days of my DJing ... I once mixed a track seconds before the song ended due me being distracted by someone or something I'm sure. That day was terrible it was one of my first bigger events and I didn't have enough music for the event. An hour before it ends they ask if I can play for a few hours more ... my amplifer was almost on fire and I didn't know how much more it could take before it would start to seriusly clip. I was DJing with my PC at the time and wasn't sure if I would of ran into stability issues ether. Considering I was like 16 and didn't know what I was doing I think it turned out pretty well haha.

Your gonna make me get back into DJing I hope your ashamed ! :)