The filmmakers behind "The Reckoning," the new documentary about the International Criminal Court, have launched an associated online clearinghouse to support education and outreach about ICC. Called "IJ Central," it promises to : integrate a multi-platform citizen engagement strategy using online mapping technology to visualize the global justice network through SMS text messaging, aggregating blogs,…
Author:
Lindy hoppers around the world creating photos & videos for Frankie’s 95th birthday!
Frankie Manning leading the Shim Sham at the NYSDS dance, December 2008. Video courtesy of vwluong. Today is the first day of "Frankie Week," taking place from March 12-22 — eleven days for lindy hop scenes from around the world to create social media to get them excited about Frankie Manning's 95th birthday in May….
ENGAGE Expo 2009: From brand placement to youth development
Ted Tagami of Small Worlds demoing to Joyce, Barry and GK youth Chanel at ENGAGE. I just back to the office from the ENGAGE Expo, which took place March 10-11 at the Jacob Javitz Center in Manhattan. I have to say that I was a bit pessimistic going in about what I was going to…
Buckminster Fuller Institute looking for coordinator of $100K global solution prize
Man, if I didn't already have an awesome position, I would be applying for this dream job: Program Coordinator of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge. Essentially you get to give out $100,000 to someone who has come up with a strategy to solve one of humanity's greatest challenges. You pay people to save the planet. That's…
Two legends of hip-hop in one day: Ken Swift and DMC!
Today was one of those days I just love living in New York. In the morning I got to interview hip-hop legend DMC (of Run DMC) at the ENGAGE Expo at Javitz Center. Then in the evening I got to take a fundamentals of breaking class with legendary b-boy Ken Swift. I love my crazy…
Interviewing DMC (of Run-DMC) about hip-hop, virtual worlds and youth
I had a remarkable opportunity to interview hip-hop artist Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC fame today! I caught up with Dee at the Engage Expo at Jacob Javitz Center this morning, who was here to promote his new virtual space DMC World. We had a very interesting discussion about hip-hop culture, virtual worlds, digital games,…
Five cool job openings at American Friends Service Committee
The national service arm of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is the American Friends Service Committee, based out of Philadelphia. Over the years, AFSC has been a vital force in the United States for peace, social justice and human rights, which makes me so proud. I just got word that there are five job…
Congrats, Quest Crew! (Next stop: the Battle of the Year?)
Here they are: Quest Crew, "America's Best Dance Crew" of 2009. Well deserved, boys. Well played. Quest brought some seriously jaw-dropping tricks every single show, combined with near perfect team precision, creative choreography, and playful energy. No one, besides Beat Freaks, could touch them the whole season. That said, I do have to wonder how…
Bluegrass & Contemporary Dance: The Dang-It Bobbys at BAM Cafe (video)
Tonight, I and a friend enjoyed the hipster bluegrass stylings of the Dang-It Bobbys in the BAM Cafe in my nabe Fort Greene. I love going there because the space is so cool, it always draws a funky, diverse crowd, and the concerts are free! What's not to love? The Dang-It Bobbys were quite talented,…
Happy Fun Smile: the best damn Okinawan pop band in New York City
I had the pleasure of seeing "Happy Fun Smile" perform at Forbidden City last night. One of my favorite New York City acts, Happy Fun Smile seems transplanted straight out of the 1300s Japan, perhaps picking up a couple of NY hipsters to play the sanshin and sanba along the way. Brian the lead singer…