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.
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
