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…
Category: Dancing / Music
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….
Yehoodi Video Talk Show #515: Betty Boop, Rockin Robin, & a very special guest!
In all of the hubbub around ILHC, I forgot to post that a new installment of the Yehoodi Video Talk Show has gone live. I took advantage of my camping trip to San Francisco a few weeks ago to visit Spuds and record a new talk show. It was, as always, a ton of fun…
PMT Studios hip-hop dance workshops in DC September 19
My fantastic hip-hop teachers Pavan Thimmaiah and Alan Watson will be teaching dance workshops on Saturday September 19 in Washington DC. If you are in the area, this is a great opportunity to learn street dance from two great instructors. Pavan and Alan will be teaching Hip Hop Dance, Breakin' and Poppin' and end the…
California Rolls “Love Me or Leave Me” routine at ILHC and why it rocked (video)
At 3am Sunday night / Monday morning, the 2nd annual International Lindy Hop Championships came to a rousing close in Washington DC. It was an incredible weekend of lindy hop competition, social dancing, live music, workshops, and socializing with dancers from around the US and all over the world. One of my fondest memories from…
Evita & Mike dance to “Singin in the Rain” (video)
Last night at ILHC, Evita Arce and Mike Jaeger performed an incredibly beautiful routine to “Singin in the Rain” in the Cabaret Division. I was filming it from the back, and I still get verklempt watching it, trying to hold my hand steady. Others I talked to felt the same. This is why I go…
Jack & Jill competitions at ILHC: the true test of the lindy hopper (video)
I just finished competing in the Advanced Jack and Jill competition at the International Lindy Hop Championships. It was a really fun experience, dancing with a ridiculously talented field of 40-50 lindy hoppers from around the world. Many lindy hoppers think of Jack & Jills as the true test of a dancer. Most other competition…
Finding inspiration at the International Lindy Hop Championships in DC
I’m in Washington DC for the second annual International Lindy Hop Championships, one of my favorite swing dance events of the year. A few hundred of the best lindy hoppers from around the United States and from countries from around the world are gathered for a fun competition and dance weekend at the Crystal City…
Vogue Evolution pushing the boundaries of urban dance on America’s Best Dance Crew
The MTV television show "America's Best Dance Crew" took a bold step in showcasing the flamboyantly gay dance crew Vogue Evolution. Not only are Vogue Evolution representing a dance form — Vogueing — that isn't any easy fit with the street dance-oriented competition. Not only is one of their members on the bigger side. But…