Yesterday, I went running with some family and friends in Golden Gate Park on a gorgeous Saturday morning. It was one of those days that make you grateful that you live in the Bay Area. We did a medium-difficult four mile run through the park, starting and ending at 30th Avenue and JFK. Afterwards,…
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Movies You Must See in the Theaters: “Pina” and “The Artist”
There are dozens of movies in the theaters right now that I'm dying to see. Most of the Oscar-nominees and some popcorn flicks. But I can wait for all of these to come to DVD / streaming if I have to. Except for two: "The Artist" and "Pina." "The Artist" is the most original film…
Typepad Adds Image Editing: Let the LOLwhatevers Begin
Just realized that Typepad, my blogging platform, recently added a photo editing feature, including adding text to images and little graphics. Let the caption contests begin…
Lindy Hoppers needed for Quantum Physics Project!
Some scientist / dancers at the University of Waterloo in Canada are looking for lindy hoppers around the world to help them demonstrate how quantum computing operates — by dancing. Entitled Project Q, they are asking for groups to perform a fairly simply choreography, film it, post it, and send the link to them….
Step Up 4: Sadly Not in “4D” or Called “Step Up 4Eva”
I just watched this trailer thingee for the inevitable "Step Up 4" coming out this August. Some things to be concerned about: This is the 4th installment of this street dance series, and not once has a person of color been the star. Seriously, WTF? First time director Scott Speer. Long intro featuring shots of Miami,…
Netiquette Question: IMs from Old Acquaintances – Accept or Not?
Say you worked with someone 12 years ago. You were friendly in the workplace, chatted during lunch, but didn't socialize after work. Then, one day, many years later, out of the blue, an instant message from that person pops up on our screen. "Hey, Rik, it's so-and-so…" it begins. You, hesitate for a…
Teaching Teens to Charleston is Awesome
Last week I had the pleasure of teaching a dozen high schoolers some basic charleston and jazz steps for my friend Rosalyn, who teaches at a school in San Francisco. Apparently this school allows the students to take a dance class as their physical education requirement. I wish they had this at my school! I…
Oakland Museum Celebrates the Lunar New Year with Drumming, Lions and Mochi
Today I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Lunar New Year celebration at the Oakland Museum of California, a day-long festival marking the time when many Asian cultures celebrate the new year. It was a really fun day, with hundreds of visitors of all ages streaming through the museum, enjoying all the performances,…
Hot Club of Cowtown at Amnesia Bar January 30!
Last night I got to enjoy the rollicking country swing and hot jazz of the incomparable Hot Club of Cowtown at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. I can't get enough of Alana on fiddle, Whit on guitar and Jake on bass, all of whom seem to effortlessly tear up songs by Django, Bob…
Yehoodi Talk Show #15: Swing Memes, “Strokin,” and Swingin Skeletons
Yes, it's that time again — it's Yehoodi Video Talk Show time! This time around, Spuds, Letta and Rik show off their favorite swing-relted videos and pics from the past months. Yet again, we filmed live at the 920 Special dance in San Francisco. Thanks to the 920 folks for letting us use their space…