The first hour of the final block draws close to an end and, as dancers continue bringing sexy back with the aid of a Justin Timberlake song, I’m going to give you my quick take on Club DM as the 10th and final block location. I was very skeptical heading into the final block, especially after it became clear the tent only had one entrance and dancers would have to wait a little bit before shaking lose. But after an hour inside the Club, I think Club DM serves as a solid and equal, albeit different, venue for Dance Marathon’s most powerful stretch.

First, the negatives. Obviously, the single opening really slowed down the final block’s start, leading to many dancers sitting down and even propping feet up against one of several poles in the middle of the dancefloor as if this was a 10-minute intermission. The final block of DM rules because of the constant, surging energy running through it and no part, especially the beginning, should spill out any of that momentum. The only other major complaint against Club DM is how unattractive the inside looks. I’m not a fan of corporate advertising, but at least the Louis Room, even while being plastered in Apple and Wholefoods ads, doesn’t look like the livestock arena at a county fair. A few more decorations need to go up besides the final money board, even if they are lame ads for Petsmart or something. Not to mention the slightly dirty back of the tent, where stray trashcans and other refuse dwell unattractively.

But Club DM nails all the elements the Louis Room housed so well. The lights look and move great, the speakers sound excellent and, especially impressive, the temperature is very nice. My biggest pleasant surprise is how spacious the place actually is. During the regular blocks, Club DM felt big, but only because not as many people were dancing in it. Take down the rest areas in the back, though, and the place expands to biggie-sizes that could probably fit a few more dancers in. Like, a lot more actually. This leads to a lot of empty space in the back, but that is pointless to bring up, since everyone is bunched together in the middle of the dancefloor.

I’ve loved seeing the final block of DM held in Louis Room, but I’m now ready to admit Club DM isn’t too shabby, and actually holds up well against the traditional locale. I just feel a little bad for anyone trying to study within a tri-county radius right now - it is LOUD.

Update: DM staff has since told me that the dancers sitting on the floor at the start of the block weren’t sitting because of things not starting, but rather becasue this was their official break before the final block. I wasn’t aware of this at the time, or else I wouldn’t have harped on it as much. But, this does raise the good point of space, and how having dancers in Club DM rest inside the club isn’t necesarrily the most convenient idea. Why not use one of the rooms on the first floor of Norris?