New Record for Longest Dance Party

The Associated Press

Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" played at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame yesterday, marking what 41 marathon dancers hope is a new record for the longest dance party.

It will be a few weeks before the Guinness Book of Records confirms whether the record was broken, event spokesman Peter Collins said yesterday. Guinness' current mark for the longest dance party was set in November 1999 by 56 participants in an event sponsored by MTV India.

"I'm relieved that it's over and exhilarated that we broke the record," said Dick Hurwitz, the oldest dancer to make it to the end. "I’m 58 years' old and I'm not sore a bit." Hurwitz and others started dancing at 5:10 am on Tuesday and reached 51 hours, one hour past the 1999 record of 50 hours, yesterday.

The Enquirer
July 30, 2003

Dance Party Swings for Record
51 hours could be one for the book

The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - Dancers from across the nation are swinging at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in an attempt to twirl their way to a record for the longest dance party.

The 42 sneaker-clad participants began Tuesday at 5 a.m. and will try to dance until at least 8 a.m. Thursday - a total of 51 hours. Participants can take 10-minute breaks every hour for food, trips to the bathroom and short naps.

The Guinness Book of World Records mark for longest dance party is 50 hours, set in 1999 by 56 participants sponsored by MTV India.

Casey Kasem of American Top 40 is acting as master of ceremonies from a glass booth above the dance floor and said he's hasn't been able to join in because he's too busy giving interviews.

"I'm too tired. I need to conserve my energy," he said.

The dancers range in age from 18 to 58 and come from as far as Texas and California.

Guinness rules require that 30 of the dancers - 75 percent of those who started - must complete the event to have it recognized as a record.