I thought that going to a late-night showing of Step Up 2 (you might know it as Step Up 2 the Streets) on its opening weekend would deliver some sort of memorable scene—like "urban" teens in sideways hats would be dance-battling for the last box of Milk Duds. Or I'd try to get out to go to the bathroom and a girl with large earrings would block the aisle and say, "Look, princess. You think you're hot? You think you've got what it takes? This isn't your baby princess castle up in Wedgwood anymore. This is EAST WALLINGFORD, yo, and you're in my house and in my house only BIG DOGS go to the bathroom." And then she'd do a back flip and I'd just have to hold it for the rest of the movie. That's plausible, right?

Anyway, it didn't happen. In fact, there were only like 10 people there—sullen, sweatpanted people—and strangely enough (or not strangely at all), I was the most annoying person in the theater. I wasn't trying to be, but I was just so excited! I couldn't stop yelling! Let me explain.

Step Up 2 the Streets is your traditional underdog story. Except the underdogs are wealthy ballerina nerds, and the oppression they face (from the overdogs?) is cooler, poorer, less-white people making fun of them. Rough stuff! The main girl, Andie West (Briana Evigan, who just happens to be the daughter of the dad from My Two Dads who isn't Paul Reiser), is a member of Baltimore's dopest dance crew, the 410! But then, some plot stuff happens, and she has to go to ballet school! And the 410 86's her! And then she makes friends with Mr. Popular ("He's Mr. Popular!") and they form a MISFIT CREW OF DANDIES. I think I smell daaaaaance-off!

The dancing in Step Up 2 the Streets is absolutely fucking awesome (seriously, OMFG), and it makes for some mind-blowing dialogue: "Aw, man! Are those trampolines? Use 'em or lose 'em!" and "Yo, let's upload this, stat!" About halfway through, I figured out that when Andie says "the streets," what she really means is "The Streets," which is the name of an underground dance battle for crew supremacy (this shed new light on earlier grammatical mysteries like, "Look. The streets is about where you're from. It's not some school talent show."). Will Andie and crew win The Streets by taking it back to the place where The Streets started ("ON THE STREETS!" I yelled, annoyingly)? Will they teach everyone a lesson about the meaning of this thing we do called dance? Are they really just hatin' on me 'cause I'm dope? And will I ever stop giggling and clapping? Yes, yes, nope, and absolutely not. Hold on, I have to pee.recommended

lindy@thestranger.com

That "one-man welcoming committee" behind the bar is my son Gill, and you hit it dead-on with the reference to "the Dude." Your article caught the true essence of the Alki. My husband, Gill Sr., especially liked your remark that the Alki "doesn't give a damn and never will." After 31 years, why start now?

Just for the record, it's Taco Thursday. On Tuesday we have Wimpy burgers, same deal—$1 build-your-own with the same guy in the kitchen and Gill behind the bar. So come on down Tuesday. Thanks again for keeping the Alki alive and well.

Cathy McLynne

I'm sorry for the confusion, Butch. Onward and upward! I wish you and the Alki Tavern family a very happy New Year.

Alki Tavern, 1321 Harbor Ave SW, 932-9970

bethany@thestranger.com