the essential
The 3rd edition of the Dance Marathon will take place over 24 hours from Friday November 29 at 8 p.m. to Saturday November 30 at the same time at the Athanor hall in Albi. Created in 2022, this event linked to the Telethon has become essential and should bring together 150 dancers this year.
Yoann Tichit, aka DJ Yoann, is the president of the La Fine team association founded in March 2023 which brings together around twenty semi-professional DJs in the Albigensian region. With two of them, he decided two years ago to embark on the adventure of the Dance Marathon. “This slightly crazy project started from a video watched between friends on social networks dating from the 80s relating to a dance marathon which lasted 48 hours. It was pure competition. We wanted a organize a charity event at the Ô Balsero dance hall.”
And the first vintage will be a success. The trio of friends set themselves the goal of raising €1,000. With 85 registered, the association raised €4,400, entirely donated to the Telethon. The principle was simple: you could dance alone, in pairs, three or four. All in relay. No competition, just the wish to dance together for a noble cause.
But what was to remain a small Albigensian event goes beyond the borders of the department. “We went on live television during the Telethon. And that clearly gave us a media boost,” emphasizes Yoann Tichit.
Time for the second edition in 2023, still at the Ô Balsero dance hall. Immediate effect with 140 registered instead of 85 and a little over €10,000 donated to the Telethon. Note that last year, 19 dance marathoners made it to the end of their night. “This year, we are aiming for as many participants as in 2023,” says Yoann Tichit.
At Athanor this year
The third edition changes location thanks to the support of the Albi town hall which this year is lending the Athanor room. More than 80 local Albigensian businesses have also been supporting La Fine team for three years.
Their generosity will allow them to win prizes such as hotel nights, signed SCA jerseys and even meals. “Without them, there would be no onion soup at 5 a.m. or free breakfast for those registered for this 2024 dance marathon,” explains Yoann Tichit. At lunchtime, a paid aligot-sausage will be offered and all the profits will once again be donated to the Telethon.
Friday evening will be open to the public. From 3 a.m. on Saturday November 30, the Athanor will, however, be reserved only for dancing marathon runners for security reasons. The children have not been forgotten with an adapted dance marathon on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. during which teachers will introduce them to rock, salsa, tango and even bachata.
Registrations are still open. So, if you want to dance 24 hours straight and for a good cause, the third Dance Marathon is waiting for you.
