Remember back at Old Garfield when the Bulldog spirit still filled our hallways? Before the desolate walls of Lincoln High School sucked it all out of us and left us empty and disinterested? Remember dances every other month, and greasing up daily at the nearby venues serving delicious local cuisine? Remember Alder street (ok, I was an underclassman then, so I don’t really remember it — I just walked awkwardly by on the way to my bus)?

If Bubblin’ Brown Sugar isn’t the last vestige of Garfield spirit, then I don’t know what is. It’s a reminder of better days, when the timeless murals that adorned the walls of our school formed a barrier between us and the frequent bomb threats of the outside world. But at the same time, it’s a promise for the future — a future back on 23rd and Alder, of dances back in our good old gym, of a Garfield restored with its pride.

This year’s Bubblin’ Brown promises to be better than ever. It’s back where it started, albeit in the (fake) Lincoln building rather than the (real) Garfield one. And not only are we hosting this annual dance-off, but we are also the defending champions — and I remember that some movie or TV show once wisely told me that you should always win on your home turf.

The theme of this year’s performance is top secret, as are the costumes, the moves, and the music — so if you are hoping to actually learn some facts about the actual performance from this article, I would advise flipping to the Back Page immediately to avoid further disappointment. The daily three-hour rehearsals are closed to visitors — I don’t know if they’re worried about undercover Franklin spies pulling a Bring It On (the original) or if they just want to surprise everyone with their hot-off-the-press dance moves. However, I have been promised by anonymous sources that there will be plenty of enthusiasm as well as a considerable dose of transgenderism — “we’ve got some guys and some girls, and some in between,” assures one dance team member.

Bubblin Brown Sugar originated in the Garfield gym as a casual chance for innercity dance teams to compete and crown a winner. Since then, it has grown into a major event that draws crowds from all around the city.

“It will be the most hyphiest experience of your lifetime,” promises three-year dance team member Reilly McGibbon.