*Live Blogging |* Leah Christianson: "The soreness I'm feeling now was worth it"

Leah Christianson, one of our very own Arts & Entertainment contributors, will be sending us her comments and rants throughout the 26-hour event. Follow along here to get a firsthand account of Dance Marathon through the eyes of a dancer. You can also check out fellow dancer Maryia Krivoruchko’s thoughts here.

Updated at 1:32 p.m.
That was the most money raised in UCLA’s Dance Marathon history. I’m going to blame lack of sleep on my cliched last statement, but I honestly can’t think of a better way to say it. What an incredible experience. The soreness I’m feeling now was worth it, in every sense of the world. I’ll write more later when my brain has regained its normal capabilities. Until then, goodnight!

Updated at 1:23 p.m.
We raised $410,530.68 at UCLA’s Dance Marathon. Wow.

Updated at 1:02 p.m.
And DONE.

Updated at 11:48 a.m.
Team green won the color war. I’m still team blue for life. Power hour a.k.a the LAST HOUR OF DANCE MARATHON is about to start so this is it from me until after it’s over. Until then!

Updated at 11:04 a.m.
24 hour mark!

Updated at 10:27 a.m.
Breakfast number two. Yayz!

Updated at 9:54 a.m.
A kind soul gave me some coffee. BEST THING I’VE EVER TASTED.

Updated at 9:27 a.m.
The curtains open, letting in the morning light we haven’t seen in a while. Something caught on fire on stage. Eventful.

Updated at 9:14 a.m.
Also the superhero theme has started, but my superman shirt is missing…this could be a problem.

Updated at 9:05 a.m.
Apparently I’m very good at faking being hyper when I’m tired because I’ve had three people tell me that I seem way too awake. Although I actually feel like I may pass out at any moment. Maybe I’m just so tired that I’m hyper. Normal, right?

Updated at 8:27 a.m.
World class zumba instructor on stage. On a normal day, I may have the energy to keep up with that woman. But the best I can do right now is bounce along and try not to look liek too much of an idiot.

Updated at 8:05 a.m.
Awaken A Capella performs, opening with “I Want You Back,” by Jackson 5. There were some mic problems, which was disappointing since it’s one of my favs. Ah well. I’m slightly delirious anyway!

Updated at 7:24 a.m.
Tater tots are a miracle food. Actually feeling much better than I thought I would after dancing for over 20 hours. Yikes. 20 hours.

Updated at 6:22 a.m.
Star power theme has started! I’m wearing alien ears and contemplating chugging a Five Hour Energy drink. Hmm…

Updated at 5:36 a.m.
Disney songs cure exhaustion.

Updated at 4:41 a.m.
Performance by Masha, UCLA’s Bollywood dance crew. Three observations: 1. They are awesome, and if I could dance like that I would be infinitely cooler. 2. Their pants look straight out of of “Aladdin.” 3. I want those “Aladdin” pants. A lot.

Updated at 3:42 a.m.
Thirty-three million people have died from HIV. That is a staggering number. As someone who has never had any personal connection to the disease, numbers like that, along with the first-hand accounts that we have heard tonight, really brings it home. What we’re doing does make a difference. Whether it’s to a child in Africa, or the little girl on stage singing “Don’t Laugh At Me.” It makes a difference. And that is a beautiful thing.

Updated at 3:20 a.m.
Sports theme! Dancing around in oversized jerseys beat mini skirts, in my opinion.

Updated at 2:33 a.m.
Dance group Body Poets performs in the center of the dance floor … making them kind of hard to see. One of the rare occasions that my height comes in handy.

Updated at 2:11 a.m.
Whipping one’s hair back and forth is definitely worth the brain cells that it probably kills.

Updated at 2:05 a.m.
There is a bunny dancing to the left of me, an alien in front and … well, I’m not exactly sure what that girl is wearing. But hey, it’s making the night more interesting.

Updated at 1:19 a.m.
Midnight snack. Yes.

Updated at 1:06 a.m.
It’s official: I think my feet would hurt less if I chopped them off and put them in a bucket of ice.

Updated at 12:17 a.m.
UCLA trio Rapture City performs. These three guys played at Midvale sessions last week – looks like they’re really getting their name out around campus.

Updated at 12:14 a.m.
The “Get Charged” theme just started, and people are donning video game-inspired costumes. Proud to say I broke out my neon lime skirt for this one. Halfway there!

Updated at 11:28 p.m.
Disclaimer: I have nothing against redheads! I think they’re lovely! I just like my hair color, thank you.

Updated at 11:27 p.m.
Something cool: they are giving out free henna tattoos in the back.
Something not so cool: henna is a dye and my friends just got it in my hair, so my hair may be turning red. Yay?

Updated at 10:59 p.m.
UCLA’s only all male A cappella group Bruin Harmony, performs. Eight of the guys in the group are also dancing in Dance Marathon. I’m impressed.

Updated at 10:23 p.m.
Seriously though – can Super Mash Bros come back? When that music is playing, I forget that my feet hurt. Which, by the way, they do.
Check out one of their songs here

Updated at 9:37 p.m.
I don’t think I can express how excited I am about this music. I love Super Mash Bros. Blogging doesn’t do it justice. If you’ve never listened to them, go on Youtube and look them up. Now.

Updated at 9:09 p.m.
Super Mash Bros. make a surprise appearance at Dance Marathon!

Updated at 8:32 p.m.
After eight hours of spinning beats for us, DJDG is taking off. Many thanks for keeping us going!

Updated at 8:07 p.m.
Fusion, a 12 person UCLA band consisting of two violins, a keyboard, a trumpet, drum set, two saxophones and electric guitars, perform.

Updated at 7:33 p.m.
Meredith (Kate Flannery) from the Office is here speaking about how fantastic UCLA Dance Marathon is. Also, she makes “that’s what she said” jokes. So she’s good in my book.

Updated at 6:46 p.m.
Dinner. Thank you Dance Marathon gods.

Updated at 6:14 p.m.
Comedian Patrick Warren speaks! I know you’re all wondering and the answer is yes. His voice is actually that deep in real life.

Updated at 6:12 p.m.
Starting the “power tools” shift. Let the tool related humor begin.

Updated at 4:57 p.m.
Jake Glaser, son of Elizabeth Glaser, speaks about his mother, his sister and “going against the grain.”

Updated at 4:45 p.m.
The a capella group Scattertones performs, opening with Kanye West’s “Power.” Can I just ask: How do they get their voices to do that? It still blows my mind how many talented students we have at UCLA.

Updated at 4:33 p.m.
Wedding proposal! Wedding proposal at Dance Marathon! I love it!

Updated at 4:31 p.m.
Word of advice from an alum on how to stay awake at Dance Marathon: Make out with a celebrity. Noted.

Updated at 3:47 p.m.
Seeing kids no older than five breakdancing with huge smiles on their faces in the middle of all these college students makes this worth it.

Updated at 3:12 p.m.
POWER NAP! No, not actually. But it is time to put our pajamas on for the next costume change!”

Updated at 2:38 p.m.
Best moment of the night so far – all of Ackerman Grand Ballroom belting “Be a Man” from the classic “Mulan.”

Updated at 2:19 p.m.
Performance from UCLA Sex Squad, an organization that uses music and arts to teach kids about safe sex and the things that can cause HIV. Medical terms have never been so entertaining.

Updated at 1:57 p.m.
UCLA is the biggest donor in the country to One Heartland, a campus for children that are HIV positive. Yeah Bruins!

Updated at 1:56 p.m.
First celebrity guest: Kimberly Caldwell, former American Idol contestant.

Updated at 1:39 p.m.
First food break! Subway is always delicious. Even when you have to eat it standing up.

Updated at 12:40 p.m.
TEAM BLUE FOR LIFE.

Updated 12:16 p.m.
We’re just starting the “Decades” shift, when people can express their inner hippie or flapper. I have just donned my neon sweatband and spandex, and am going to party like it’s 19…89?

Updated at 11:30 a.m.
Over 1,200 children are infected with HIV every day. This is completely preventable. Visit pedaids.org for more information!

Updated at 11:10 a.m.
“Let’s Get It Started!” Appropriately, that’s the first song of the day, as we start out our 26-hour Dance Marathon.

Updated at 10:50 a.m.
Everyone is grabbing some last minute r&r before Dance Marathon 2011 begins! Twenty-six hours on my feet … I’ve got to say that I’m a little nervous, but mostly excited! We’ve already had a motivational speaking – David Gere – to pump us up a bit. I’ll be sending updates throughout the day as excitement builds, and I start losing feeling in my feet. Dance, dance, dance!