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DANCING

Grand Rapids hollers back to Kapfenberg

A US town which inspired an Austrian town to emulate its success with a music video which is going viral has acknowledged the tribute.

Grand Rapids hollers back to Kapfenberg
From the Youtube video showing dancing priests in the streets of Kapfenberg. Photo: Youtube

The US town of Grand Rapids in Michigan hit the headlines in 2011, when it responded to a Newsweek article that listed it as number ten on a list of "America's Dying Cities" by releasing what Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert described as "The greatest music video ever made."  The nine-minute video used 5,000 citizens of the Michigan city who were lip-syncing to Don McLean's "American Pie."  

Within the first week, the video received over 2 million views on Youtube, and has subsequently been seen by nearly five and a half million people.

Now, the Austrian town of Kapfenberg has done it with style, by releasing their own lip dub, based on the song "Life is Live" by Austrian rockers Opus, a European number one hit from 1985.

Kapfenberg managed to bring together more than 6,000 people in the small town, rocking along and dancing to the music of the song, and involving many prominent citizens — including the local parish priests in full uniform.

The mayor of Kapfenburg, Austria, posted a video on Wednesday, thanking Grand Rapids, the site of a 2011 lip-dub that drew international attention.

"It's my big pleasure for me to send back our best wishes and compliments to Mr. Heartwell and the citizens of Grand Rapids, USA," said Kapfenberg Mayor Manfred Wegscheider. "Watching your great lip-dub has always been our motivation and inspiration."

This week, Grand Rapids news reporters spotted the Austrian version, and acknowledged that they've been outdone, European-style.  Over 6,000 people danced for more than 10 hours in the streets of the town, to create the nearly nineteen minute long video – apparently a new world record.  Enjoy!

A lip dub is a combination of a large group of people lip-syncing then audio dubbing, usually made as one continuous take with a steadicam.

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BAN

Frankfurt party organizers face hefty fine for flouting Easter dancing ban

It is one of Germany's more surprising laws that has led to protests throughout the years.

Frankfurt party organizers face hefty fine for flouting Easter dancing ban
There are restrictions on dancing in Germany during Easter. Photo: Depositphotos/pitangacherry

With restrictions varying across the country's 16 states, the dancing ban, or 'Tanzverbot', effectively bars public dancing on the Christian holiday. In some states, including Hesse, the ban lasts for more than one day.

Now authorities in Frankfurt, the biggest city in Hesse, have vowed to crack down on anyone who ignores the ban that’s in place from Thursday to Saturday, reported regional newspaper the Frankfurter Rundschau (FR).

According to the law in Hesse, a fine of up to €1000 can be handed out to anyone who puts on a public dance event, the spokesman for the Ordnungsamt, Ralph Rohr, told the FR.

One of the city’s mayors, Uwe Becker, of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), has called for residents to show respect for those who observe the religious Easter holiday, and not take part in any dancing.

“Even those who do not belong to a religion themselves should show respect for the feelings of others,” said the CDU politician who is head of the church department in Frankfurt.

The law in Hesse states that dancing in public is forbidden from 4am on Maundy Thursday until midnight on Holy Saturday, as well as on Sundays and public holidays from 4am until 12 noon.

According to Rohr, city police will conduct their usual checks during this time.

“If complaints are received, police will investigate them,” said the Ordnungsamt spokesman.

In response to the FR's question as to whether dancing would be stopped, Rohr said: “We will end what is not allowed.” Clubs will be contacted by authorities and warned in advance.

SEE ALSO: 10 ways to celebrate Easter in Germany like a local

Ban is contentious

As well as dancing, other activities are banned at Easter time, such as sporting events and gambling. The ban on dancing has led to protests across Germany throughout the years.

Centre-left Social Democrats politician Kevin Kühnert recently said the ban should be abolished. He said people should be able to decide for themselves whether they want to celebrate or not.  He told the Redaktionsnetzwerk that “anyone who wants to go to a disco that day should be able to do so.”

A protester at a demo in Stuttgart in 2015 holds placards that read: 'We dance when we want!' and 'Release the dance!' Photo: DPA

Not surprisingly, club capital Berlin is the most liberal state when it comes to upholding the silent public holiday, with the 'Tanzverbot' only in place from 4am to 9pm on Good Friday.

In the southern state of Bavaria, which is largely Catholic, the ban runs for 70 hours: from 2 am on Maundy Thursday until midnight on Holy Saturday. Penalties vary, but people who flout the law, which tends to be event organizers or club owners, risk fines of up to €1,500.

'Important gesture'

Meanwhile, in Frankfurt, Becker urged all citizens to comply with the legal regulation on Good Friday.

For many Christians it is deemed inappropriate to dance or celebrate during Holy Week – the seven days leading up to Easter Sunday. Good Friday, when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus, is of particular importance. For Catholics, the day is traditionally meant for fasting and abstinence.

Becker said that not taking part in “loud and exuberant celebrations” is “an important gesture” that shows respect to “fellow human beings”.

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