Here's a really well-produced instructional video on how to do the "Shim Sham Shimmy," a popular line dance that is performed at swing dances all around the world. The video project was conceived and created by lindy hoppers Patrick and Natasha of Montreal. Here's why they made this video: We all know how frustrating it…
Category: Dancing / Music
Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown Streaming Live Video on Saturday October 10!
My friend BigCash sends out the exciting news that they are going to be streaming live video from the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown in New Orleans on Saturday, October 10! That evening, ULHS' Saturday night dance/competition will be streamed live from the National WWII Museum. Head here to watch it live that evening. The Ultimate…
Virtually DJing a Swing Dance from NYC to Holland over Skype
One of the members of my swing website Yehoodi, ShortYgeorge sent me a story that perfectly combines lindy hop and geekiness. Apparently today is the one year anniversary of a dance in Amsterdam that ShortYgeorge started called "Swing Out of Pocket." Sadly, George was not able to be there, since he currently resides in New…
Dancing from your Center: a spiritual leading
This video is my first attempt at explaining publicly something Quakers call a spiritual "Leading" that was first shared at Brooklyn Meeting last Sunday. I consider it a Leading because it's still working itself out inside of me, and feels like there's a lot more there to be revealed over time. One of the things…
Announcing the New Yehoodi.com! Beta Testing in October, Public Launch in November
After more than a year of planning, consultation and hard work, I am very excited to announce the imminent launch of Yehoodi 3.0! For those that don't know, I am one of the administrators of Yehoodi, the premiere social website for the global lindy hop and swing dance community. Approaching our 11th year of operation,…
“Groovaloo” brings b-boying to the stage with mixed results
Got to see the Groovaloos stage show at the Joyce Theater last night with some friends. It's a very impressive hip-hop dance show with the most fully realized combination of dance performance, staging, sound, and theater that I've ever seen staged. For someone who wants to see an energetic, well-presented demonstration of b-boying, you can't…
Jersey Jazz Tribute to Frankie Manning & Frankie95 Fest
Frankie's partner Judy Pritchett was kind enough to share with me a high-rez scan of the lovely article and photo spread from the Jersey Jazz magazine about the Frankie Manning 95th Birthday Festival that took place last May in New York City. Entitled "Frankie Manning: Never Stop Swinging" its one of the sweetest tributes to…
Lost Fingers awesome Django-esque cover of “Pump Up the Jam” (video)
Crank up your speakers and rock out / swing out to this awesome gypsy jazz cover of the 80s hit "Pump Up the Jam." Performed by the Lost Fingers of Quebec, Canada, these boys give the Technotronic classic new life and a swingin beat that works much better than it should. On September 27, the…
COBU’s hoofer/drummers bring together Japanese and American beats
Last night my friend Joyce and I caught the latest show by the Japanese drumming / tap group COBU at the Theater for the New City in the East Village. They always put on an incredible show, and after 10 years of work, the depth and power of their performance just keeps increasing. Since the…
Top Notch team routine from ILHC: Swinging to Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”! (video)
Here's a final video from the 2009 International Lindy Hop Championships that I wanted to share. This is by the Swedish team "Top Notch." Although this only got fifth place, I thought it was artistic, inventive, entertaining and very difficult. They used the space well, had a variety of formations, and showed tremendous musicality….