The dining hall was filled with chatter as Ms. Claus and I sat at our favorite table near the fireplace. I nudged Anya and said, “I think this little dance party you have set up after dinner is going to be a big hit!”
“I hope so. The elves need to have some fun before production schedules limit their free time.”
“Well, based on the buzz around here, this evening will be one to remember!” I exclaimed while waving Doheny over to take our order.
Approaching the table, she shouted, “Great idea, Ms. Claus. Wait till you see me do the Irish Jig.”
Hanna, who was at the next table taking an order, overheard Doheny and yelled, “Good luck with that dance. I’m doing the Jitterbug with Bernard.”
After giving our order, I took Anya’s hand and looked around the room. “I wonder if there will be more traditional dances or those modern ones that everyone does on the TikTok app all the kids watch.”
“I have no idea, but I am curious what dance you will do tonight?” Anya asked as she sat back in her chair grinning from ear to ear.
“Me? Dance? You know I’m a terrible dancer.”
“But dear, the elves will be expecting you to join in the fun. There has to be one dance you can do.”
Squirming in my seat, I asked, “You wouldn’t want me to ruin the night for everyone now, would you?”
As Ms. Claus began nodding her head in agreement, I felt confident I would be able to get out of dancing. Then she suddenly stood up. “Can I have your attention please?” When the room went silent, she continued, “How many of you would like Santa to participate in the dance party after dinner?”
The room erupted in cheers. When the elves chanted, ‘Santa! Santa!’ I felt my face turning red with embarrassment. “Thanks, dear,” I muttered while nodding to let everyone know I would dance tonight.
Looking at Anya as she sat down, I smiled and remarked, “You know I will need a partner.”
“I thought you’d never ask,” she responded with a laugh while Doheny brought our dinner to the table.
When the elves finished their dinner, they made their way over to the Community Hall and began playing some tunes. “Lottery” by K Camp was blaring over the speakers when the Kitchen Elves arrived after cleaning the dining hall. A crowd soon encircled Peppermint, Syrup, Eli, and Rose as they did the Renegade.
Walking into the crowded center, I leaned over to talk directly into Ms. Claus’s ear so she could hear me. “Looks like we are starting with the modern TikTok dances.”
Anya gave me a thumbs up, and grabbing my hand she rushed over to get a better view pulling me with her. “I love these new dances!”
After the girls danced, the boys decided it was their turn. Babble and Booker took to the floor as Blanco Brown’s “The Git Up” began playing. The duo danced the Git Up Challenge, a quirky dance with a country background.
The elves kept taking turns doing several modern dances when all of a sudden there was a shift. I seized Anya’s hand as Chubby Checkers’ “The Twist” came on. “Come on, I know this one!”
I think I surprised the elves as I twisted my hips from right to left and back again. When I shifted my weight forward and backward, they began hooting and hollering. Once the dance tune came to an end, Anya and I took a bow and headed back to our table when “Do the Funky Chicken” by Rufus Thomas blared through the loudspeaker.
Stopping in mid step, we returned to the dance floor and began imitating a strutting chicken. As we curled our arms to make wings, we squatted and made clucking sounds. It did not take long before all the elves joined us. When the song finished, I looked at Ms. Claus and said, “That’s it, I’ve done my bit, and now I need to sit.”
Anya smiled at me saying, “I understand. You don’t mind if I keep dancing, do you?”
“Of course not,” I responded giving her a kiss on the cheek.
As the night went on just about every type of dance was performed including some line dancing, the Charleston, Polka, Salsa, Tango, and Jitterbug. Then when the dance party was about to come to an end, Hanna took the microphone and announced, “Could I have your attention please.” As the elves turned toward her to listen, she continued, “I know this was a party for the elves, but one dance has not been performed yet. So, let’s give it up for Dancer and his performance of the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from The Nutcracker Suite!”
Giving Dancer a rousing applause, the elves made a path for him when he approached the dance floor. While the music started, Dancer began his ballet routine on pointe. Displaying unusual grace for a reindeer, Dancer made his turns elegantly. As the music came close to the end, he attempted a big Sauté (jump). However, when his left rear hoof hit the floor, it slipped out from under him. With each leg pointed in a different direction, he slid across the floor and hit the wall. As the music concluded, poor Dancer landed upside down with his backside against the wall.
While the elves began laughing aloud, Anya looked at me and said, “This is not good Santa. Will Dancer be okay with everyone laughing at him like that?”
Suddenly, Dancer began snorting and laughing along with the elves. When the hall erupted into applause, everyone cheered loudly.
“How did you know he would not be upset?” Ms. Claus asked.
“That’s why I picked him. I figured any reindeer that is as cool-headed and even-tempered as he is, belonged on my team.”
As all the elves started leaving the meeting hall, I gave Anya a big hug and told her, “I’m glad you put this together. I think the elves are now ready to begin production for Christmas 2022.”
Notes From Santa
I hope you enjoyed today’s story. I will post another one on May 1st. If you have any comments or if there is something you would like me to tell you about, please feel free to leave me a comment. Until next week . . .
To read more about Elf parties and celebrations please check out:
Magic Beans – June 21, 2021
Let The Games Begin – August 16, 2021
Elfkin Festival – November 1, 2021
Visiting Korvatunturi Mountain – February 15, 2022
Find Cincy Santa (@CincySanta) on:
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Illustration from Envato Market