Say you worked with someone 12 years ago. You were friendly in the workplace, chatted during lunch, but didn't socialize after work. Then, one day, many years later, out of the blue, an instant message from that person pops up on our screen. "Hey, Rik, it's so-and-so…" it begins. You, hesitate for a…
Teaching Teens to Charleston is Awesome
Last week I had the pleasure of teaching a dozen high schoolers some basic charleston and jazz steps for my friend Rosalyn, who teaches at a school in San Francisco. Apparently this school allows the students to take a dance class as their physical education requirement. I wish they had this at my school! I…
Oakland Museum Celebrates the Lunar New Year with Drumming, Lions and Mochi
Today I had the pleasure of volunteering at the Lunar New Year celebration at the Oakland Museum of California, a day-long festival marking the time when many Asian cultures celebrate the new year. It was a really fun day, with hundreds of visitors of all ages streaming through the museum, enjoying all the performances,…
Hot Club of Cowtown at Amnesia Bar January 30!
Last night I got to enjoy the rollicking country swing and hot jazz of the incomparable Hot Club of Cowtown at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. I can't get enough of Alana on fiddle, Whit on guitar and Jake on bass, all of whom seem to effortlessly tear up songs by Django, Bob…
Yehoodi Talk Show #15: Swing Memes, “Strokin,” and Swingin Skeletons
Yes, it's that time again — it's Yehoodi Video Talk Show time! This time around, Spuds, Letta and Rik show off their favorite swing-relted videos and pics from the past months. Yet again, we filmed live at the 920 Special dance in San Francisco. Thanks to the 920 folks for letting us use their space…
My Latest Pinboard : Robot Chic
I created a new pinboard on Pinterest on "Robot Chic." Just cause.
William and Maeva do electro-swing puppet lindy (video)
I know that title makes no sense. Just click play! Dancers: William Mauvais and Maeva Truntzer. Hat tip: Jerry Almonte and Alain Wong
Metaphysical Bargain Shoppers Alert: Psychic Cleaning Only $1.99!
Spotted in Mountain View, CA.
Collect, Curate, and Share Images and Links with Pinterest
I've been playing around with a new web service called Pinterest that bills itself as a place to "organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web." That sounds suspiciously like a lot of other web services out there, like Delicious, wikis, tumblr, etc. What makes Pinterest stand out is the way…
Documentaries on Frankie Manning & Dawn Hampton Airing Near You!
In case you have not had a chance to watch the two excellent documentaries about legendary lindy hopper Frankie Manning and the Hampton family band, they may be airing soon on a PBS station near you. The director Julie Cohen (via Cynthia Millman) sent around the following information about air dates around the United States. Check your…