After the initial din surrounding the opening speeches, there was some tension and even awkwardness accompanying the excitement. Plenty of people in the tent were not dancers but spectators, DM volunteers and the press. Some of the dancers were really getting into the music, though for the most part, dancers were conserving energy: attempting to talk over the music, moving slightly to the beat and looking around. Think Friday night dance party minus the alcohol and plus old people looking at you. Some of the freshmen also seemed grossly unprepared for the 30 hours. (Flip-flops? Seriously?!)

Many of the dancers were psyched yet nervous. “I’ve never stayed up for 30 hours before,” said McCormick junior Zachary Sersland, who is dancing in his first DM this year. Communication freshman Rebecca Montag, had more to worry about. Her partner dropped out a week before, and she had been paired with someone she did not even know. “So far I’ve been floating around dancing with different people. I’m scared for tomorrow, but right now, it’s awesome!”

Jamba Juice representatives shook things up by entering the tent dressed in banana costumes and dancing on stage to the tune of “Sweet Home Alabama.” Project Kindle founder Eva Payne made a typical feel-good speech, talking about the history and development of Project Kindle, about how many lives it has impacted, etc. The dancers were quiet for the most part, but there was still some chatter for Payne to talk over. Then she started talking about one of the ambassadors to DM from Project Kindle. “Imagine being told that your dad purposefully infected you with HIV.” The dancers fell silent.

Payne ended her speech on a high note. “Together, we are lighting the fire of change,” she exclaimed. She then led the dancers in the chorus of a supposed campfire song that went, “From east to west, Northwestern is the best…” The music started up again, and one of the children brought to the event started dancing enthusiastically. Dancers gathered around and applauded him.

In Norris, a dancer is sitting down already with an ice pack on his knee. Presumably this is the first of many similar images to be seen throughout the night.