I'm delighted to be performing tonight along with a boat-load of amazing musicians and dancers in this unique tribute to Ella Fitzgerald called "The Ella Effect" in San Francisco. For one night only, Josh Klipp and his Klipptones will perform several of Ella's most iconic songs from "A Tisket a Tasket" to "Mack the Knife."…
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Solo Jazz Dance by Pamela Gaižutyte of Lithuania (video)
I can not say this girl's name, but I'm loving the grace and simplicity of her movement in this solo jazz piece by Pamela Gaižutyte of Lithuania. So lovely. Best part is her blowing her hair at 1:00 mark. But the whole thing is just great. [Hat-tip: Vernacular Jazz tumblr]
Wayne McGregor on Choreography as “Shared Cognition” (video)
I'm not really the audience for this kind of modern dance in this TED Talk by choreographer Wayne McGregor. But I really enjoyed what McGregor had to say about choreography as "shared cognition" among the choreographer, the dancers, the musicians, visual artists, designers, even scientists. This is so far beyond what most people think of…
Heidi and I Charlestoning at the Gatsby Summer Afternoon (pic)
Here's a fun pic from the Gatsby Summer Afternoon a couple of weekends ago in Oakland. That's my friend Heidi from NY and I in the charleston contest. Full picture here, by Marianme. Used with permission.
SwingNation #3: Lindy Hop Score Geekery, Chazz’s 80th, & Cute Kids Swinging!
We just finished episode #3 of "SwingNation", the internet's only live swing dance talk show. My co-hosts Spuds, Zuckerpunch and I had a great time putting on this episode last night. We hope our audience enjoys our banter, news, interviews and video clips that we show. In this show, we feature a conversation with…
Me Getting in the Way of a Fantastic Shot of Kevin & Jo Dancing (pic)
Here's a fun pic of me being a jerk while Jo and Kevin dance their hearts out behind me at the Gatsby Lawn Party in Oakland a couple of weekends ago. Actually I'm playing a bit part in their routine, as the lout who tries to steal Jo away. Such a cute dance! Photo…
Chinese Dragon Charleston Battle: #4wordsyouneverthoughtyoudseetogether (video)
I really don't know what to make of this. It is both really terrible and kind of awesome.
Gordon Webster: Swing Bandleader, Supreme Coffee Geek
Of all the things I expected to be doing last night, making espresso shots at 2am with one of the most popular lindy hop bandleaders in the country was not what I anticipated. Gordon Webster is a much celebrated swing bandleader based in New Jersey who travels the world sharing his unique take on swing…
The Best Seat in the House: Building a Virtual Audience for a Swing Dance Competition
A few months ago my team at Yehoodi.com began an audacious plan to broadcast live on the internet the International Lindy Hop Championships in DC, the most prestigious dance competition in the lindy hop world. This was a big first for the swing dance community. While other lindy dance contests have been live streamed before (notably…
Barry Joseph Leaving Global Kids, Leading Digital Learning at American Museum of Natural History
I'm excited to share the news that my friend, mentor and former boss at Global Kids, Mr. Barry Joseph, will be leaving his post after 12 years to take on the position of Associate Director of Digital Learning at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. I could not be happier for him. Barry being…