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Food For Thought
Local SFLNC volunteer, dance enthusiast, philosopher, DJ, and promoter Syd Gris gives us some Food for Thought on a sort of monthly basis. Syd's Food for Thought columns discuss a wide range of topics, mostly around the ideas of what our dance scene and community can bring to the individual and collective society. Seeing the dance scene not just as a shared forum of responsible fun, but also as a demographic with social and political power, Syd seeks to stimulate thought to change the world, starting first with the individual.
Food For Thought #18: Paradox Americana
Apr 16, 2003
Syd Gris
Dancing through the anguish of the world on a Saturday morning to DJ Vibe, surrounded by people I love. Trying to live in the paradox of Americana, where there can be so much good and so much evil all under the same flag.
Food For Thought #17: Love on the Dance Floor, Part 2
Mar 17, 2003
Syd Gris
This is the dance of love, and we do it cause we can’t help ourselves. Before I get all sappy, let’s talk some more about stuff it may or may not be helpful to think about.
Food For Thought #16: Love on the Dance Floor, Part 1
Feb 14, 2003
Syd Gris
Ready to go to War? Ya me neither, so let’s talk about Love instead.
Food For Thought #15: A Snapshot of Pop Culture
Jan 30, 2003
Syd Gris
There’s a lot of snapshots America has to offer. The good, the bad, the ugly, the comical and the straight surreal, it’s all here in full technicolor. I don’t mean to seem as though I’m focusing on the negative, but I guess I’m as guilty as the local news for focusing on the negative at times.
Food For Thought #14: My resolution for 2K3: Help wanted
Jan 2, 2003
Syd Gris
The dance culture is an easy target for the ineffective "war" on drugs. We’re ripe for the picking, partially because who is standing up for us?? The SFLNC is a rare breed of organization in the country, and hopefully others are getting inspired and educated from our work. Eventually I dare say we will need an American Late Night Coalition.
Food for Thought #13: The Responsibility of a Generation
Nov 25, 2002
Syd Gris
The way is forward. Unfortunately, the way not only is looking a bit too sunny for my tastes (thanks to global warming), I feel the way forward is being blocked by out dated and destructive ways of thinking and relating to the world by the generations that have come before us.
Food for Thought #12: The Trap of Yearning
Oct 17, 2002
Syd Gris
Always needing more. It's a constant, nagging, tenacious, unforgiving, tendency that I think we all struggle with in so many ways. It is an itch that keeps us from being content with who we are right now in this moment. When we scratch it, it is only temporary relief. How does one proceed with wisdom?
Food For Thought #11: Community as Linchpin
Sep 12, 2002
Syd Gris
Tragedy brings people together like nothing else. We are able to put aside our selfish ponderings for a period of time and attend to the sad reality facing us all. In this there is strength, and I think most of us have a sense of that since 9-11. Some have used it to heal, others to beat war drums, but however one uses these moments, we must admit it feels good to be a part of something.
Food For Thought #10: On the Perils of Being an Aware Dancer
Jul 17, 2002
Syd Gris
Why do we, as a society keep missing the point I ask myself? Is it better for us? Not really. Is it naturally selected for us to choose 'self-now' over 'others-later' on such a pathologically consistent basis? Syd, what's the point?
Food For Thought #9: Why Knowing What Is True Is Cool
Jun 1, 2002
Syd Gris
When discussing truth it becomes painfully obvious the whole thing is quite subjective. We know good and well that what may be true for a person in one circumstance is not true for another.
Food For Thought #8: Why Gen X is Gen 'X'
Apr 25, 2002
Syd Gris
The sad state of pop music today is fueling the rise of the dance and music scene and we're gonna reflect on that together shall we?
Food For Thought #7: Trends and Predictions for the SF scene in 2K2
Feb 1, 2002
Syd Gris
Let's talk about the music, the clubs, the promoters, and most importantly the people! Consider it a whole magazine in 1000 words or less. I know you're hoping less after last month a?
Food For Thought #6: Political Action and the Search for Truth
Dec 1, 2001
Syd Gris
Oh that's juicy Syd but why here? Well I'm glad (as always) you asked. The SFLNC is a political ACTION committee, meaning of course it takes action in the world to forward the cause to which it has undertaken.
Food For Thought #5: The Benefit of Benefits
Oct 2, 2001
Syd Gris
If you're not contributing to the potential of your community, immediate or otherwise, you are taking up space and simply taking from those around you. Goodness comes in the simplest ways.
Food For Thought #4: Music As Meditation -- If You Feel Like It
Aug 25, 2001
Syd Gris
Many of you already know what I'm talking about. You have experienced those moments on the dance floor in which you entered "the zone." Your thoughts dropped away and your own body's awareness took over and flowed with a beat.
Food For Thought #3: The Collective
Jul 15, 2001
Syd Gris
Some underground events I have been to in the city have hands down the best vibes to be found anywhere at an event in the Bay Area.
Food For Thought #2: The Vibe Discussion
Jun 15, 2001
Syd Gris
With that in mind, let's talk about "the vibe." The vibe is that intangible but unmistakable flavor of a party. It is that which you breathe into your open senses when at an event, when you are out to have fun, and to be with others.
Food For Thought #1: Is Electronic Music and Dance Culture Spiritual?
May 15, 2001
Syd Gris
What is this is all about? Is the dance scene a spiritual scene? And what does that mean to us as the members of the community? Do we care, or would we rather just dance?