Musings on Dance, Food, Geek Stuff
My friend Albert Boulanger brought this awesome factoid to my attention: to compete with the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem in the 1939, the Golden Gate Ballroom also featured roller-skating. Can you imagine getting to lindy hop AND rollerskate in the same lavish ballroom? Sigh. SOURCE: The Birth of Bebop, By Scott DeVeaux ยท 1997
So way back in 2008, my friend Amy Winn convinced me to go with her to check out the Dreamland roller rink in Coney Island. I think it was a fundraiser because it was threatened with closure? I was blown away by the artistry of the rhythm skaters we saw. Here’s a bit of footage…
I wrote this 25 years ago. It feels as relevant as ever. ROOSEVELT ISLAND May 1995 Come to the window, the work can wait.See the craggy line where the water meetsThe shores of Roosevelt Island,Isn’t the tide higher than it was a day ago?Global warming, you say, glibly. I think of my homeland: 7,000 islandsThat…
Hanging with swing friends back in the day. The “Khakis Swing” Gap Ad is twenty years old. Woah. I’ve been reminiscing about what it was like to dance in the midst of the “neo-swing” era. I started lindy hopping around 1997 in New York City. I remember taking my first class with my friend Denise…
This week, I had the pleasure of visiting New York for a happy and sad occasion, a celebration of the life of Dawn Hampton, an icon in the lindy hop community who passed away late last year. I always love being in New York, a place that still has my heart, despite being away for six years…
My work was clearing out some old files, including some old maps. I found this 1950 AAA map of New York that is just wonderful. The best part is the listing of hotel prices for each city and town. The Waldorf Astoria costs a whopping $10-20 a night! The Hotel Times Square is a more…
I unfortunately missed this superb performance by French dancers JB Mino and Tatiana Udry on Monday May 26 at Frankie100, but caught the YouTube video later. This routine has musicality, grace, perfect timing, clever choreo, all delivered with style and character. The whole nine yards. I can't get enough of it. Keep an eye…
I had the pleasure of working at Global Kids in NYC for a couple of years, as part of their Online Leadership Program, where I learned so much about youth development, digital learning, and teen leadership. I definitely would not be where I am today without the experiences and connections I made at Global Kids….
Adam H. posted to FaceBook this picture of a bus stop ad featuring my friend Nina Galicheva and I dancing at Lincoln Center. Apparently this is an advertisement for their "Midsummer Night Swing" concert series. (You will recall they also used a pic of us for their 2011 banner.) I'm flattered beyond words.
My lovely friend Voon is the profiled guest for the next 11 days on "The Chic Index," a curated list of stylish individuals. Knowing how much care Voon puts into his outfits and his look, this is no surprise at all. Several of my favorite pieces of clothing have come from Voon's hand-me-downs. Check out…