Tammy, who runs You Should Be Dancing Studios, invited me and a friend to participate in a cool promotional event at Saks Fifth Avenue department store last night. The gig was a dance party as part of "Fashion's Night Out," a series of parties going on all over the city as part of Fashion Week….
Category: New York
Wanted: Computer Mice for At-risk Teen Programs in NYC
Do you have an extra computer mouse you aren't using? My nonprofit Global Kids could use any working USB, two-button mice for our digital media programs with at-risk teens. Starting in a couple of weeks, I'm running a science, culture and technology project in Brooklyn, and realize that our laptops don't have computer mice. For…
The Brooklyn Public Library is Awesome
I'm embarassed to say that yesterday afternoon, after 15 years in New York City, was only the second time that I've been to a NY public library. I was planning on doing some research for the "I Dig Brazil" program which begins in a few weeks, hoping to find out information about the local culture,…
Favorite Videos and Pics from Jazz Age Lawn Party
Here's a video by my friend Voon of the final jam on Sunday at the Jazz Age Lawn Party. There were a zillion cameras at the Jazz Age Lawn Party this weekend on Governor's Island. So those of us who were there have been having a good time hunting down our favorite pictures of ourselves…
A Final Fete to a Swinging Summer at the Jazz Age Lawn Party this Weekend
This Saturday and Sunday, Governors Island was again transformed into an oasis of 1920s and 30s era jazz, as Michael Arenella held his 5th annual Jazz Age Lawn Party for enthusiastic crowds of jazz lovers, lindy hoppers, and vintage hounds. I had already attended his Arenella's Lawn Party in July and had a fantastic time….
Strictly Lindy Competition at Club 412 Last Night
Along with the dancing at Governors Island this weekend, I also got some more fun dancing in at the monthly "Swing n Salsa" dance at Club 412 on Saturday. It was quite the affair, with one of my favorite bands the George Gee Orchestra performing in the lindy hop room, along with a live salsa…
Global Kids Screening of “Abraham’s Children” Documentary a Big Success!
On Wednesday, August 25, I organized a screening at Global Kids of the new documentary "Abraham's Children," a series of intimate and frank profiles of ten Muslim-American teenagers in the New York area directed by my friend Nina Froriep. It was a very special night as around 30 people gathered to watch the film, share…
“I Charleston” Comes to New York!
A bunch of crazy lindy hoppers from Montpellier France have been travelling the globe and organizing public dance flash mobs that they call "I Charleston." They film the charleston jams and then put them online for others to enjoy. So far they have done Montpellier, Herrang, Stockholm, and Japan. And yesterday they came to New…
Alice Mei and Thomas Blacharz of France Performing at Frim Fram
French world champion lindy hoppers Alice Mei and Thomas Blancharz are in town for some workshops as part of the Gypsy Jam Weekend coming up September 3-5. As a teaser, Alice and Thomas did a little performance at my dance Frim Fram Jam last night. Congrats to Alice and Thomas for winning the classic division…
“Louis”: Silent Film with Wynton Marsalis + 10.jpgece Jazz Band in Limited Run August 25-31
I'm very excited about this new silent film called "Louis," a fictional retelling of Louis Armstrong's early years in New Orleans, that will be premiering in cities around the US August 25-31. The silent film, reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin caper flicks, will be accompanied by an all-star 10.jpgece jazz band fronted by Wyton Marsalis himself,…