Going through my files, I found this old clipping from the El Paso Times dated November 7, 1992. If I recall correctly, that is me in the middle of the picture, reaching down to help someone up the embankment. I just got finished committing a federal crime. The event was a public show of solidarity…
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“Sita Sings the Blues”: An Animated Indian Myth set to 1920s Jazz
"Sita Sings the Blues" is one of those multi-thread, multi-cultural vanity projects that shouldn't work, but somehow does. Producer / animator / director / writer Nina Paley manages to blend the ancient Indian myth of Ramayana with 1920s jazz provided by diva Annette Hanshaw , as told by three contemporary Indians represented as shadow puppets. …
2010 Red Bull BC-One B-boy Competition: Pluto vs Luigi (video)
Here’s another one of my favorite matchups from this year’s Red Bull BC-One b-boy competition in Tokyo: Pluto from Ukraine versus Luigi of the USA. Pluto and Luigi have similar styles, including good floorwork, uprocking, and power. I’m still not sure how I would call this match. It’s interesting how frosty the reception of the…
2010 Red Bull BC-One B-boy Competition Final Match: Neguin vs Just Do It (video)
I woke up mad early to catch the Red Bull BC-One b-boy competition, streaming live online from Tokyo. Here's some quick video of the final match between Neguin of Brazil and Just Do It from the Netherlands. Neguin is a seasoned veteran, with a distinctive style, mad powermoves, and an aggressive stance. Just Do It…
Mini-review: Red Bull BC-One B-boy Game for iPhone / iPad / iTouch
Red Bull BC-One has in the past few years established itself as the gold standard of b-boy / breaking competitions, with top notch events, world class dancers, and film quality videos. Now the BC-One folks have added gaming to their offerings, with games for the Nintendo-DS, online, and now for the iPhone / iPad /…
Some Peeps I’m Thankful For
A few of the many folks I’m thankful are part of my life, on this day of thanksgiving: My boss Barry: When you offered me a job at Global Kids more than three years ago, you must have seen something in me that I didn’t see. Under your astute, mindful, and sensitive leadership I’ve grown…
Teaching Kids about Mass Extinction and Capoeira
Today I had a group of Brooklyn high schoolers do research on the Permian-Triassic mass extinction 250 million years ago and then do a demo of capoeira for a group of Chicago teens over Skype. I have the best job in the world. More about my day here.
Jitterbug Kids doing lindy hop demo at NY Swing Dance Society (video)
Check out these cute kids doing a very classic lindy hop routine at the last New York Swing Dance Society Dance on Sunday! According to my friend Jun their names are Merika and Andre of Brooklyn. Go, swing kids!
How do I respond to being called “Jet Li”?
I work with minority teenagers in NYC, many of whom have very limited interaction with people outside of their race and ethnic group. The large majority of our kids are fantastic and great to work with. But I continue to encounter a phenomenon that I call the "Bruce Lee taunt", and have not come with…
First B-Boy Show Done: One More Show Tonight!
Last night my peeps Eugene, Will, Brooke and I did the first of two b-boy performances for the Dance Showcase at PMT Studios. It was a lot of fun bringing this piece before a crowded and supportive audience of dancers and dance enthusiasts. I think half the audience was Eugene's friends and famiy! I think…