Weems, Mickey, authorUtah State University Press, publisher2007-01-032007-01-032008http://hdl.handle.net/10217/87939Includes bibliographical references and index.In this ethnography that documents the folk nature of popular culture, Mickey Weems applies interdisciplinary interpretation to a subject that demands such a breakdown of intellectual boundaries. The Circuit, an expression of gay culture, comprises large dance events--gatherings, celebrations, communions, festivals. Music and dance drive complex, shared performances--electronic house music played by professional DJs and mass ecstatic dancing that engenders communitas. Other performances, from drag queens and concerts to contests, theatrics, and the individual display of muscular bodies are part of the festivities. Body sculpting through muscle building is strongly associated with the Circuit, and masculine aggression is both displayed and parodied. Weems, a participant-observer with a multidisciplinary background in anthropology, folklore, religious studies, cultural studies, and somatic studies, considers the cultural and ethical dimensions of what to outsiders might seem to be just wild, flamboyant parties. He compares the Circuit to other traditions of ecstatic and communal dance, and uses his grounding in African-Brazilian Candomblé and in religious studies to illuminate spiritual experiences reported by Circuit participants. And, as a U.S. Marine, he offers the nonviolent masculine arrogance of Circuiteers as an alternative to the violent forms of masculine aggression embedded in the military and much of western culture.--Provided by publisher.Introduction: fascists and whores -- Part I: Fierce. Banishing the God of mediocrity -- The few, the proud, the cracked -- Thousands of dancing gay men -- Fierceness -- The girlfriends -- Harm reduction -- Part II: Tribe. A history of festive homosexuality: 1700-1969 CE -- A history of the circuit(s): 1969 CE-present -- A tale of two cities: NOLA and MIA -- Part III: Pulse. Popular dance -- Axé -- From marching soldier to dancing Queen -- Part IV: Ecstasy. The DJ -- Stepping Out -- Discography.born digitalbooksengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.All rights reserved. User is responsible for compliance. Please contact University Press of Colorado at https://upcolorado.com/our-books/rights-and-permissions for use information.Gay and lesbian dance parties -- Social aspects -- United StatesGay culture -- United StatesGay men -- United States -- IdentityTextAccess is limited to the Adams State University, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Community College of Denver, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University Denver, Regis University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University and Western Colorado University communities only.