The "Legion of Extraordinary Dancers" episode 5 is out! Entitled "The Lettermakers," it features krumpers Lil C and Deuce. Awesome dancing, but it's way too short! [Link to original video.]
Category: Dancing / Music
More Video & Pics from Midsummer Night Swing Finale & Dance Contest
Here's some video footage of the "Ambassador's Prize" dance contest on the last night of Midsummer Night Swing last Saturday. I'm dancing with the lovely Nina Galicheva, meanwhile you can see friends Emily V and Marty in the foreground. And here's a sweet pic of Nina and I dancing by Kevin Yatarola. Thanks for sharing…
Flappers, Dandies & Lindy Hoppers Take over Governors Island for the “Jazz Age Lawn Party” (UPDATED)
This weekend was another "Jazz Age Lawn Party" on Governors Island, two days of hot jazz from the 20s and 30s, performed in an idyllic setting amidst a cool canopy of trees and stately military quarters. The featured musical entertainment were Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, joined by Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society….
“Flying Home”: a Blowout Finale to 2010 Midsummer Night Swing Festival (UPDATED INFO RE WINNERS!)
I had the pleasure of being at the final night of the 2010 Midsummer Night Swing festival at Lincoln Center last night. I and several hundred happy dancers were treated to one the finest swing orchestras in the land, the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra under the helm of Ron Allen. I've seen and enjoyed HRO for…
Final Night of Midsummer Night Swing This Saturday: Harlem Renaissance Orchestra and Dance Contest!
Friends Eden and David on the banner of the Midsummer Nights Swing website! I can hardly believe it, but this Saturday is already the final night of Midsummer Nights Swing for 2010! This year, Lincoln Center organized an amazing line-up of bands and dances for their annual Midsummer Nights Swing festival. Lots of standout…
The LXD Episode 3: Robot Love Story (mini-review)
While episode 1 focused on b-boying, and episode 2 featured kung-fu / parcour, episode 3 of the web dance series "The League of Extraordinary Dancers" turned to the precise and less flashy danceform known as "popping." The main character in this episode is "Sp3cimin," played by robotic dancer "Madd" Chadd Smith. The popping that Chadd…
Musical Funeral Today for Benny Powell at Saint Peters Jazz Church
Today at Saint Peters Church on the Upper Eastside there will be a jazz-filled funeral for renowned trombonist Benny Powell starting at 7pm. Jazz and swing fans are invited to come by and pay your respects, and hear some incredible music while you are there. Benny was born March 1, 1930 in New Orleans, learned…
Talk on history of of b-boying by Ken Swift and Joe Schloss now online (video)
HHTF Humanities Series: Ken Swift (Pt 1) from Clyde Valentin on Vimeo. The nice folks at the Hip-hop Theater Festival have released online a video of the really interesting conversation between b-boy pioneer Ken Swift and hip-hop historian Joe Schloss that took place a few months ago at NYU. I learned a lot from attending…
Review of Episodes 1 & 2 of the Legion of Extraordinary Dancers
So I got to see the two first episodes of the Legion of Extraordinary Dancers today on Hulu. Announced in December of last year, the "LXD" has been billed by director John Chu as the world's "first online dance adventure." Finally today we got to see what the heck Chu has been talking about, and…
The LXD Episodes 1 & 2 are Out: the Tale of Trevor Drift (video)
Apparently I've been sleeping on the job, because I didn't notice that Episode 1 and 2 of the Legion of Extraordinary Dancers web-series is now out. I'm at work now, so can't really enjoy it till later. But watch it yourself if you so inclined: Episode 1: The Tale of Trevor Drift Episode 2: Antigravity…