LONG ISLAND CITY — Last week’s heat wave was nothing compared to the dance-floor-melting moves that Queens office workers busted out during the second edition of Lunch Beat LIC — a lunchtime dance party that gives cubicle dwellers the chance to cut a rug during their midday breaks.
The dance party at Uncanny Valley, the first in the city and inspired by a European trend, brought out dozens of glow-stick sporting office workers who let their hair down to the beats of DJ Shakey while munching on tacos and sliders from Mike ‘n’ Willie’s food truck.
“It’s a good time to get out of the office,” said Jill Jourdain, 23, a Citibank employee, who came to the party for the first time. “To have a little fun, have a little lunch, little dancing.”
The $12 party took place for the second time Wednesday at the art and performance space at 26-09 Jackson Ave., only one block away from the Citicorp building and few blocks away from Queens Plaza, where many offices are located.
“The idea is very simple,” said Sarah Reynolds, 32, an organizer of Lunch Beat LIC. “It’s a dance party on your lunch break that comes with lunch.”
The Lunch Beat movement was born two years ago in a garage in Stockholm, Sweden. On an ordinary weekday, 14 people danced together during their lunch break and decided to keep on doing it, according to organizers.
Since then, Lunch Beat has spread to 18 cities across Europe, from Paris to Berlin and Porto, Portugal, Reynolds said.
Lunch Beat has a set of rules, though — everyone has to dance, the party is alcohol-free and dance-lovers can’t talk about their jobs.
But even career-driven New Yorkers were glad to get away from the stress of the office.
“I think it’s a fantastic concept,” said Victoria Liu, 26, who works at The Noguchi Museum. “I’ll definitely be back.”
Lesson for NYC workers: dance!