I had a remarkable day in Washington DC for Martin Luther King Jr Day. It started out with a wonderful series of performances at the National Cathedral to celebrate Dr King, including spoken word, drumming, a choir, hip hop violin playing and more. So inspiring and fun. The National Cathedral has always been one of…
Category: Travel
First day in DC: Obama-mania is in full effect
I just arrived in Washington DC for the presidential inauguration festivities. Here's what I encountered at Union Station when I got off the bus. This souvenir stand had an impressive array of Obama-stuff on sale, from posters to buttons, tee-shirts, flags, postcards, and baby bibs. This guy tried to charge me $1 to take this…
$6 Inaugural swing ball at DC’s Jam Cellar on Tuesday!
Here's another tip for those of you headed to Washington DC for the Presidential Inauguration this Tuesday: The evening of January 20 is full of pricey inaugural balls starting at $150 and up. Well if you have forgotten to pack your ball gown or your wallet is feeling a bit light, you might want to…
DC Quakers offer inauguration day rest area : come in from the cold!
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…
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?