Here they are: Quest Crew, "America's Best Dance Crew" of 2009. Well deserved, boys. Well played. Quest brought some seriously jaw-dropping tricks every single show, combined with near perfect team precision, creative choreography, and playful energy. No one, besides Beat Freaks, could touch them the whole season. That said, I do have to wonder how…
Category: Dancing / Music
Bluegrass & Contemporary Dance: The Dang-It Bobbys at BAM Cafe (video)
Tonight, I and a friend enjoyed the hipster bluegrass stylings of the Dang-It Bobbys in the BAM Cafe in my nabe Fort Greene. I love going there because the space is so cool, it always draws a funky, diverse crowd, and the concerts are free! What's not to love? The Dang-It Bobbys were quite talented,…
Happy Fun Smile: the best damn Okinawan pop band in New York City
I had the pleasure of seeing "Happy Fun Smile" perform at Forbidden City last night. One of my favorite New York City acts, Happy Fun Smile seems transplanted straight out of the 1300s Japan, perhaps picking up a couple of NY hipsters to play the sanshin and sanba along the way. Brian the lead singer…
DMC launches first hip-hop virtual world: where’s my digital Adidas?
I just got word that Hip hop artist Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC fame is opening the first hip-hop oriented virtual world, called DMC World. Officially launching next week, the 3d environment will include a rooftop club overlooking a "crazy NYC skyline", a VIP screening room, a "VIP access-only backstage hangout", and a stage to…
Last chance to sponsor me for Global Kids Dance-a-Thon this Friday!
Thanks everyone who has already sponsored me for the Global Kids Dance-a-Thon fundraiser taking place this Friday. These are financially tough times, so even the smallest donation is very much appreciated! It's not too late, if you would like to contribute. All proceeds go toward college scholarships for our very deserving Global Kids teen leaders…
No hands kip up, finally (video)
I have been off and on trying to do this frakking no-hands kip up for literally about a year. Finally I sorta kinda did it today at breaking practice tonight. Feels pretty good.
“B-Girl” the movie: please don’t suck
Well, here it is, the trailer for "B-Girl" the movie. Starring Lady Jules of Beat Freaks, with a cast of b-boys and b-girls, it promises to at least deliver on the dancing front. The question is whether the plot will enhance or detract from the movie. With that in mind, I have to say, the…
Help me realize my dream 40th birthday: a dance party on the Hudson!
I have a dream. It is not a grandiose dream. But it is one that maybe you can help make real. I want to have a dance party for my 40th birthday on the Hudson river this June. Specifically here's what I want: to gather 50-100 of my favorite peeps and have them ring in…
“America’s Best Dance Crew” final episode this week: Girls vs. Boys! Style vs. Power!
America's Best Dance Crew (Season 3) – MTV Shows We are quickly winding up the third season of MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" and I have been consistently blown away each week. I finally got to see Episode Seven today after returning from my DC trip. Incredibly, it's boiled down from nine crews down to…
Free Daptone Records sampler album on Amazon!
As folks know, I'm a big fan of Daptone Records, the Brooklyn-based soul music label. If you would like to check out what all the fuss is about , head to Amazon.com where you can download a free sampler album featuring several acts in the Daptone stable, including Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, the Budos…