I'm happy to share with you the results of the Bally's Swing Dance Off, co-sponsored by Yehoodi.com, that took place yesterday evening at Bally's Casino in Atlantic City. From the reports I'm reading, it looks like an awesome event for everyone involved, including six hours of social dancing and competition, two amazing big bands, and…
Category: New York
“Real Virtuality”: the Museum of the Moving Image Pixellates Reality with Mixed Results
The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, is one of those New York cultural treasures that I've been hearing about for years and years and just never got around to visiting. First off, it's in Queens, which is still somewhat opaque and mysterious to me. Secondly, uh, it's been a busy 15 years. And…
Mole and I Chillin’ in Cali: From Snowstorms to Sunshine
So my cat Mole Negro and I took a fairly smooth and drama-free trip from Brooklyn to my mom's place in the Bay Area yesterday. Mole was a trooper, even when he had to be carried through the security scanner, suffered through a long and bumpy plane ride, and then a short drive to my…
Thanks for the memories, New York! San Francisco, here I come!
Today at 4pm, Mole Negro and I board a flight for San Francisco, our new / old home! It's been a really fun last two weeks in New York, knocking out pretty much everything on my "Bucket List" and then some! The finale was an awesome last Frim Fram Jam at Club412, with a goodbye…
Rik’s Absolutely Brooklyn-Biased “Best of New York” List
As the final days in New York City for me wind down, I'm thinking about all of my favorite things that I've enjoyed in my 15 years here. I think I've learned a few things about how to live life to its fullest in gotham city. So here's my very subjective "Best of New York"…
Hand-pulled Chinese noodles from Lao Bei Fang Dumpling House in Queens
As one of my New York City "bucket list" items, my friends Dana and Arthur took me out for hand-pulled Chinese noodles from the highly regarded Lao Bei Fang Dumpling House in Elmhurst, Queens. Check out the noodle maker doing his thing above! The very definition of a hole-in-the-wall, this super tiny noodle joint…
And the Countdown Begins…
Get the Countdown Creator Pro widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info) So I'm in the last dozen or so days of my time as a New York City resident. Holy crap. On January 28, 2011, Mole and I will be flying home! (BTW if anyone needs…
Do You Talk To Strangers on the Subway?
My friend Jeremy shared on Facebook this sweet story that he agreed to allow me to repost. I think it says a lot about divisions in our society, fear of strangers, our public spaces, and more. As someone who sees how his own scales have become thicker and more jagged the longer he lives in…
Bally’s Swing Dance Contest POSTPONED till January 29
Due to the impending inclement weather, the organizers of the Bally's Swing Dance Contest in Atlantic City have decided to postpone the event until Saturday January 29. All the other awesomeness is the same though! Two amazing big bands: Michael Arenella's Dreamland Orchestra and the Boilermakers Two awesome tests of lindy hop abilities: a stamina…
Riding the Ill Train: My B-boy Performance at Frim Fram (video)
My friend Joyce shot and edited this sweet video of me and my fellow b-boys Eugene, Will and Brooke performing our piece "Ill Train" at the Frim Fram Jam Dance in December. Choreographer: Pavan Thimmaiah of PMT Studios. Thanks so much, Joyce!