This blog recently provided a look at the early morning life at the
Wisconsin Athletic Club – Waukesha. The rich diversity of personalities present in the wee hours of the mornings often makes this club feel like a friendly, convivial frat house.
But, ominously, there are others…Conspicuously absent from my tale was a specific section in the front of the club; a glassed-in, partitioned area bearing striking similarity to exhibits at the Milwaukee County Zoo. An area so “removed” from the haunts of normal humanity that they must bring out their own “tools of pleasure” from a secret storage room. An enclave so weirdly private that the area has been soundproofed (almost) against prying ears. It’s an assembly of jacked-up, caffeinated, screeching, sweating, bouncing, twisting, turning, dedicated individuals challenging those “outside the walls” to join them in some weird, trancelike mayhem.
Meet the WAC Precision Dance Team!The
Team is led/threatened by Deb. Obviously possessing a militaristic background, Deb emits primitive sounds of “encouragement” (threats?) that are so guttural and primordial that her minions are compelled to follow lest they suffer her wrath. Her bright smile masks a very sick sadistic approach to modern “dance”. And speaking of Dance Team minions, it would be prudent to start with the "minionisty” of the bunch – Steve. Blessed with a natural, structurally-built frame perfect for rugby, Steve keeps this oxygen-deprived room giggling with light humor during their "performances". He also acts as the enforcer for this “clan” against the occasional outside heckler who dares to question “What the heck is going on in there?!” In addition, it’s crucial to mention the Aaron/Todd team. Steadfast in their devotion to the trendiest of music including
Wham! and
Culture Club, Aaron/Todd are almost interchangeable. In fact, the culture within this fortress-like area allows for the Aaron/Todd Team to have their own tribe (think
Jim Jones) of idolizers including Jackie, Arlene, Kari, Lynn, and Kim.
Usually ignored/avoided by the balance of the early morning group at the Club because we tend to ignore that which we don’t understand, these “dance-steppers” flaunt their superior sense of rhythm and style. In addition, this merry band of Kool-Aid drinkers has a mean sense of humor…For (their own) amusement, a Team member will sometimes sneak in early and wax/polish the wood floor
in an irregular pattern! Wow! Or…We’ve witnessed John Stemper (a tribal elder) distract Deb with his own cries of anguish which throws the entire class’s cadence off. Heady stuff!! And then there’s Bill…”One-hop” Bill…”Poor Choice” Bill… Bill who tries to bridge the social gap between “The Team” and the rest of the club…This is “Bill who was goaded into complete acts of selfless sacrifice by his Team compadres for their own humor”. Yep, there’s Bill who, by his own admission, would dance-step to Neil Diamond for hours on end
…Sad – so very, very sad…
In conclusion, the WAC Club obviously has a “diversity” to broaden its appeal. From the warm, engaging, stimulating humor and banter of the “regulars” to the sick, jaded, glassy-eyed stares of Deb’s Dancers, there is something for (almost) everyone. Feel free to stop in early – very early, some weekday morning and find out for yourself.
