I just realized I am already into the middle of week three of my work sabbatical! This is really the first day I have had completely schedule-free since I finished work at the Cal Academy. So far it has been completely wonderful to have this time to take a break and take stock of things….
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Ksenia’s Hair and Our Continuing Debate over Black Representation in Lindy Hop
NOTE: Originally posted to website Yehoodi.com on March 14, 2018 Earlier this week, the issue of race came to the forefront again in the lindy hop community over something that to an outsider might seem quite benign: a woman came back from a trip to Africa and posted to her social media feed a selfie….
Who Is Steven Mitchell and Why You Should Stop DJing His Music [op-ed]
NOTE: Originally posted to the website Yehoodi.com on March 11, 2018 CONTENT WARNING: Sexual assault. Steven Mitchell has been a very influential figure in the lindy hop community for the past 20 years. Steven and his then-partner Erin Stevens are credited with helping convince Frankie Manning to return to lindy hop in the mid-1980s. Steven…
Let’s Rename the Jack and Jill Contest (Op-Ed)
The Jack & Jill contest is a mainstay of the lindy hop dance scene, from local contests to international competitions like the International Lindy Hop Championships. It’s an exciting and dynamic format that many feel is a true test of a lindy hopper’s dancing ability. It’s also an archaic term that we should stop using. A…
Max Pitruzzella Accused of Sexual Assault by 5 Women
NOTE: Originally posted to website Yehoodi.com on January 19, 2017 Ruth Evelyn, a Boston-based lindy dancer and instructor, posted to her Facebook wall a couple of days ago a very disturbing account of sexual assault by French lindy hopper Max Angelo Hurtado Pitruzella. You can read all of her harrowing account here (WARNING: description of sexual assault.) The incident…