For those of you coming to Washington DC for the presidential inauguration this Tuesday, I'm sure you are wondering how you are going to keep warm and take a break during the chilly festivities. The local Quakers in DC have thought of this too, and are generously opening their doors to anyone that day who…
Category: Travel
Heading to DC for Inauguration!
Despite (or because of) the 2-4 million Americans expected, I am planning on being in Washington DC to catch what I can of the Presidential Inauguration festivities from January 19-20. My somewhat sketchy plan is to head up on the bus on Sunday, crash at a friend's place, catch some pre-inaugural events on Martin Luther…
Menorah at Hudson NY Amtrak Station?
I saw this tiny menorah today in front of one of the ticket booths at the Hudson, NY Amtrak Station. Strange for many reasons. First off, Hannukah has been long over. Second, all the candles are still unlit. I don't get it. At least give out some chocolate gelt if you are going to display…
Learning to love and accept “Quatheists” (Nontheist Friends) at Powell House
For three days I have been at the beautiful Powell House Quaker retreat center, up in Old Chatham, New York. I have been attending a workshop on “nontheist Quakers” led by Robin Alpern and Zach Alexander with about 16 other Quakers from around the northeast area. I arrived with a good dose of skepticism about…
Learning about “nontheist Quakers” this weekend at Powell House
I'm going on a somewhat last minute trip up to the Quaker retreat center Powell House in Old Chatham, NY. I've been wanting to head up to Powell House for the past few months. Danielle from Brooklyn Meeting offered to get a car and drive up, so I jumped at the opportunity. The occasion is…
Registration for Frankie Manning 95 Festival is OPEN
I can hardly believe it, but lindy hop legend Frankie Manning will be turning 95 years old next May! I'm honored to be working with a bunch of cool folks who are organizing the Frankie Manning 95th Birthday Festival. From May 21st -May 25th, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend) lindy hoppers, jazz musicians, tap dancers, friends…
Manu, Naomi & Ramona performing Wilson Pickett song at Swing & Soul (video)
Here's Manu Smith, Naomi Oyama, and Ramona Staffeld just KILLING a performance to Wilson Pickett's "Land of 1,000 Dances" at Swing and Soul in Atlanta this weekend. Sorry for my terrible call-and-response singing into the mic. How do you not sing along to this song?
Rob Bowman on the history of Stax Records
On the last day of the Swing and Soul weekend in Atlanta, I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by musicologist and historian Rob Bowman talking about the history of the Stax record label. Rob has basically spent a good portion of his life devoted to chronicling the story of Stax, a legendary soul…
Swing & Soul ’08 Day 2: “Tighten Up” performance (video)
Here's another fun video from Swing and Soul this weekend in Atlanta: Steven Mitchell, Peter Strom, Manu Smith and Mikey Pedroza dancing to "Tighten Up."
Popin Pete & Mama Yeye at Swing and Soul in Atlanta (video)
Here's a sweet performance by legendary popper Popin Pete last night at Swing and Soul that I'm at all weekend in Atlanta. His level of control and expressiveness is ridiculous and quite beautiful. And Pete is a living link to the origins of this unique style of dance, as a member of the Electric Boogaloos…