The inimitable, ever-debonaire Fred Astaire.
Category: Dancing / Music
On the Importance of Multiple Passions
An older figure I know has devoted his entire life to his profession. He’s excellent at it. It’s also the only thing he has practiced with any kind of dedication or passion for the last 40 or so years of his life. So now that he is in retirement age, he doesn’t have much else…
Freestyle Session: “Keep Up” by Slakah the Beat Child
Finally got around to doing another freestyle dance session at Ocean Beach. This time the track was "Keep Up" by Slakah the Beat Child, suggested by my friend Morgan. Such a dope song! It was a beautiful sunny morning to be dancing by the sea.
“Everything Remains Raw”: An Unfinished Video Essay on the Black Roots of Urban Dance
Finally got around to watching all of "Everything Remains Raw" Moncell Durden's ambitious documentary on the Black roots of urban dance. Like the title, the film is very raw and unfinished, at times painfully so. There are parts of the work that have issues with. It diminishes the important role of Latinx dancers and culture…
iTapOnline: Learn to Tap with the Amazing Hillary-Marie!
Tap is one of the dance forms that has long been on my bucket list to tackle. I got off to a good start last year, taking a couple of introductory workshops and practicing at home. But finding the time for class and distance from the local dance studios have made it challenging for me…
“Step Up” Franchise Moves to YouTube with “High Water”
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…
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…