Why I wish Scottsdale's nightlife were more like Douglas' nightlife

Miriam del Castillo, 18, from Douglas. (Credit: Carlos Chavez/azcentral.com)

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On Thursday night's sunset cruise, the first people on the boat's little dance floor were about 16 Hispanic teens from Douglas, Ariz., and from its neighboring Mexican border town of Agua Prieta.

They overwhelmed the tiny space, an instant party, dancing to the live band's cumbia and rock en Espanol and American classic rock. They danced in circles, conga lines and in couples paired off to salsa, transforming the lower deck into some kind of live, seaworthy version of "American Bandstand," albeit a version with a less Dick Clark-ish vibe.

The girls must have been freezing, wearing tiny Ts and tanks with mini skirts and cropped dresses while the rest of the women on the boat swaddled themselves in sweatshirts, blankets and sweaters. Perhaps that's why they danced so exhaustively all night with the boys.

They danced with a thrilling lack of self-consciousness, with a breathtaking competency - guests on "Dancing with the Stars" are less confident. One girl was so moved by the music that she danced while balancing her fish dinner the whole time. It was as impressive to watch as it was absurd.

And the young men, wearing swim trunks and baggy T-shirts and baseball caps, grabbed the girls and danced with an assurance not found in most white guys three times their age.

Watching them made me want to invite them to my next party, of course, but mostly it made me think I'm going to the wrong clubs back at home. 

If the crowd at Cream Stereo Lounge, Axis/Radius, Myst, et al, were half as fun as these kids, I would be out every weekend there. The only place that feels close to this is the Rogue Bar some nights, Party Foul! some nights and the Shop some nights. But even then, it's not the same.

Clearly, I need to start going to cumbia-playing clubs. This is what my nightlife, my personal life has been missing.