Swing aficionados generally use words like "happy" and "fun," when describing their dance, and Lindy Hop the original style of swing, is often referred to as "an outward expression of an inner joy." Sometimes silly, sometimes cool, it's a dance that lifts the spirits. And to those that catch the bug ( the "Jitter"-bug, that…
Category: Dancing / Music
Sh*t Lindy Hoppers Say (video)
It had to happen. Congrats to my friends Iris, Jim and Sarah for putting this together in record time. I've probably said pretty much all of those things, I'm afraid.
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…
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,…
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…
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…
William and Maeva do electro-swing puppet lindy (video)
I know that title makes no sense. Just click play! Dancers: William Mauvais and Maeva Truntzer. Hat tip: Jerry Almonte and Alain Wong
Documentaries on Frankie Manning & Dawn Hampton Airing Near You!
In case you have not had a chance to watch the two excellent documentaries about legendary lindy hopper Frankie Manning and the Hampton family band, they may be airing soon on a PBS station near you. The director Julie Cohen (via Cynthia Millman) sent around the following information about air dates around the United States. Check your…