I've been a long time fan of the "Step Up" series, since the original from ten years ago. The movie franchise is moving over to YouTube starting on January 31 with "Step Up: High Water." Starring R&B star Ne-Yo, "High Water" focuses on an elite Atlanta dance school. So "Fame" for a new generation? Here's the…
Category: Dancing / Music
How to Get a Solo Jazz Jam Started: The Rule of Three
I'm really interested in dance jam / cypher culture across dance styles. It's a way of creating ephemeral stages for each other that is always fascinating and fun. At Lindy Focus this December, I got this huge insight into how to get a solo jazz jam started. It's really simple, and yet kind of blows…
Waacking Freestyle Video at Ocean Beach
My first dance video of 2018! Such a gorgeous morning at Ocean Beach. Stay till the end for a surprise guest. Song: "Stay" by Zedd with Alessia Cara
The New York Times Needs to do a 360 Video of Chester Whitmore
The New York Times has been doing these wonderful 3600 videos on a variety of subjects. A recent series focused on dancers over 60, showing them dance while they talk about their philosophies of movement. Really moving and inspiring, particularly for me as an older dancer. Featured artists: Eiko Otake Gus Solomon, Jr Brenda Bufalino Douglas…
My 2017 Year in Review: Pies, Dancing, Safaris, Pastries, and More Dancing!
Okay I am WAY late to this, but I felt compelled to throw something together tonight. Here’s my 2017 year in review. Quick 2017 Stats Freestyle Dance Videos Shot: 7 Number of Marches and Protests: 3 Number of Pies Baked: 5 New Hobbies Acquired: 1 (rock climbing) Dance Competitions Entered: 5 Countries Visited: 1 (South…
Jamming to “Lunceford Special” at Lindy Focus!
I spent the last week in Asheville, North Carolina at one of my favorite dance events in the world, Lindy Focus. Focus is a seven day celebration of swing jazz and lindy hop held in a hotel just outside of downtown Asheville. Some of the best swing musicians and dancers in the world gather with…
Josephine Baker Was a Badass
I stumbled upon this clip of jazz dancer Josephine Baker in the Huntley Archives, dated sometime in the 1920s. For those who don't know, Josephine Baker was a legendary American artist and performer who gained her fame in France, primarily as a jazz dancer. Baker was the first person of color to become a world-famous entertainer…
How to Exercise: Keep Moving, Do What You Love
I realize that I haven't written much about my exercise practices, as much as I write about food choices and diet. Obviously exercise is as important to health as diet. (But diet is much more important than exercise for weight control.) Here's what a typical week looks like for me these days. I don't have…
Why I Need Lindy Hop
Voon and Veronica at Central Park Swings, 2008 Every once in awhile I feel guilty about all the time and energy I spend on dancing, when I could be out fighting injustice, building homes for the poor or lobbying Congress more. And then I finish a kick-ass dance weekend and head off to my job…
Millie Bobby Brown rapping is everything I need right now
Millie Bobby Brown rapping a recap of Season 1 of Stranger Things is on repeat for me. Just because of the world. Lyrics below: Let's go back to Indiana, circa Nineteen Eighty-ThreeJust four boys in the basement chillin' playin' D&DThere was Lucas there was Willy Will and Dustin, there was MikeBut one night Will goes…