The idea for the event originated with Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble Director Don Glasgo. Glasgo, who has performed at the Hopkins Center with his long-time friend Joe Bowie, leader of the critically-acclaimed New York City band Defunkt, decided to take advantage of Bowie's return to Hanover by organizing a party to showcase his music.
To plan the party, Glasgo contacted Sharon Amberger, head of Amberger Productions, who organizes events in the area and had recently coordinated a performance by a Hanover High school band at the Camera Shop of Hanover. The event will be open to Dartmouth students and community members for a $10 cover charge.
"We need a party in Hanover," Amberger said, adding that the event represents "a first" for the town.
William Davison, who owns the building where the party will occur, donated the space in the hope that the event will generate interest among potential occupants.
Glasgo said he hopes to eventually open a dance club in downtown Hanover that would host live bands and be an alternative to the Greek scene for Dartmouth students. Although the idea is still in its preliminary stages, Glasgo said he has considered the plan for years and thinks a club would be a good addition to local nightlife.
"[The people of Hanover] are really hungry for it," he explained. "It's missing from the culture here."
Both Glasgo and Bowie said that they hoped the dance party would be the first in a series of such events.
"I hope it inspires people to say 'Why don't we do this more often?'" Bowie said.
Bowie termed the event "good clean fun."
"It's a way of releasing energy for students and adults in the community alike," he said. "From my standpoint my mission is just to get people out and dancing."
At the event, Bowie will join Glasgo with local band Gusano, a group which blends elements of funk, Latin and blues. The six-person band will also feature Nat Grainger '08 on bass and other community members.
Grainger said in an email message to The Dartmouth that the addition of Bowie ensures that the group will put on "an intensely-grooving show."
"We don't play anything that you can't get up and party to," Glasgo said.
