Y-M-C-A
Do you have a "Y" in your town?The YMCA (originally "Young Men's Christian Association")...
I played at an event for the "Silver Sneakers" (seniors group) at the local YMCA last night.
In it's current form, it's a fitness center for everyone, every age, men, women and children. They have a pool, a basketball court (where the dinner and dancing took place last night), hallways set up as a running track, and all kinds of gym equipment (treadmills, spin bikes, weights and machines).
Do you know the song?
We actually played this last night. It's sort of lame but has become part of the culture and is often played at wedding receptions because everyone knows what to do when Y-M-C-A is repeated in the lyrics. Here's a line-dancing clip ... "arms go up on Y-M-C-A"...
Some American culture that's spread around the world (for better or worse
) ... The YMCA as an institution and "YMCA" the song. Have either made it to your neighborhood?
Comments (18)
In my parents' generation it was where the guys went after school to play basketball. Nothing fancy but a place for kids/teens to go to burn off energy in a positive way.
It's impressive how the organization has progressed, don't you think? The Y is only about 2 miles from home... and rather modern (the building is only about 15 years old)... playing music in the gym is tough though... it's hard to bring the volume down while they are having dinner as the acoustics are very 'boomy' - lots of echo/reverb.
A happy new day to you!
Ariel - Regarding the institution - We also have "Boys Club" and "Girls Club" organizations (privately run charities) here... mostly it's an effort to provide a better place for urban kids to go when they aren't in school.
Regarding the song ... although I call it lame ... it is fun! ... and perhaps a 'dance' you might enjoy.
It came out during the time of Disco (hence the steady beat) ... good energy though... I like the song though many musicians will complain about playing it.
and the audience...
The running track is along the rails above... and the empty space on the floor was for dancing (which many did). We play this 'gig' twice a year... I always look forward to it.
We also have a boys and girls club right down the street from me but it's nothing like the YMCA.....the YMCA has so much more to offer.
Here before communism (1944) we had a lot of various women's, youth, charity and other organizations. The communists called them fascist organisations and banned them creating their own, OBLIGATORY organisations for the kids and young people, of course, totally ideological.
So after 1989 people felt so great to be out of all obligatory gathering in organizations that till now most of people don't want to be involved... But it get back to the normal social life of free citizens, step by step!
Again, thank you for the blog!
We don't have YMCA back home (Solomon Islands)but we do have YWCA -Young Women Christian Association. YWCA deals with issues for women, a counseling place for battered wives, and divorced women. It also housed women who do not have homes or unemployed. They are trained to do needle work, art and craft, cooking etc........
Tis' a must
Not sure there's a YMCA here as Indo is quite famous for our mainstream muslim community, there might be but prolly under a different name or function as sort of a dorm for schools
classes they provide every day. Lots of variety including Zumba, Spin, Strength training, Kickboxing, Yoga, etc.
"and a water slide" ?? - so cool.
Shay - The "Y" (men's and women's) ... that's terrific! We're talking about the Philippines, right? (just making sure)
I don't think there is YMCA here in Jakarta, inthemind :dunno But, I knew there is one at least in Singapore city as my family choir members and I stayed there for a short visit and the church we wanted to sing at is just next to the YMCA hostels. So there we went to.
Few hours before you mentioned about gig on YMCA, I was actually browsing about YMCA in KL, the place my family choir and I will go next year
Anyway, I hoped you had a wonderful gig there
"hostel" ... Yes, I suppose that's a good word for this. I wonder how far back the use of the word 'hostel' goes. In the past, the Y certain was like a hostel here... and perhaps in some locations in the US they still are.
I suppose having the word "Christian" as part of the official name has limited its presence in some countries.
I consider it to be a non-religious (secular) organization now but that's just from my limited exposure (the local Y is just a fitness/activity center... no religion is mixed in).
The photos... no mirrors there to show me with my camera :) The front row of empty chairs on the right... my spot was at the far end of that row... near the drummer.
We had fun.
Thanks for visiting my blog, La Chica.
Ah, you were the one who took the photo. I could see the drum set so I could see your spot there