I finally got around to seeing "Step Up 2 The Streets," (2008) the "sequel" to "Step Up" (2006) which bears almost no connection whatsoever to the original movie. I can't remember why I didn't see it in the theaters. I think the title was just so stupid I couldn't stand it. Or I liked…
RIP Terry Monaghan, Lindy Hop Historian
I regret to pass along the sad news that Mr. Terry Monaghan, longtime historian of lindy hop from the UK, has passed away. Terry was co-founder of the legendary Jiving Lindy Hoppers dance troupe in the 1980s and a long-time chronicler of the history of swing dancing. This is what I received from Elliott Donnelly…
My Sis and I as Disco Robots (video)
Here's a fun little video of my sister Cori and I playing around in this Svedka Vodka photo booth thingee they set up at Club Mezzanine last Friday. You can see the original video on the Svedka site (for as long as they keep it up.) We happened to be there with our cousin Reena…
The Fall (2006): A Lush Tale about the Power of Storytelling
This weekend I saw "The Fall" (2006) directed by Tarsem Singh. While I am sure it is not everyone's cup of tea, I thought it was fantastic. I'm a sucker for lush fantasy tales that are beautifully shot and told sincerely and simply (ala "Dark Crystal," "Like Water for Chocolate"). "The Fall" interweaves two different…
Congrats to Global Kids for Winning the $200K Chase Community Award!
I am so excited to share the news that my friends and colleagues at Global Kids, Inc in New York City are the recipients of the $200,000 Chase Community Giving Award for their work with at-risk teenagers. As someone who has worked there for three years, I can speak to the life-changing work that Global…
Loving My New Aeropress Coffee Maker
I'm perhaps the last coffee snob to get on the bandwagon about this, but I finally plunked down $25 and got myself an Aeropress coffee maker. I have had four perfect cups from it so far, and am looking forward to many more. I am still a big fan of the Chemex coffee maker, which…
Yehoodi Video Talk Show #14: Spuds Goes to the Dogs, Bad Blues, and Worse
I have been deliquent in announcing that the Yehoodi Video Talk Show Episode #14 for June 2011 is out! This episode was taped live before an actual audience of literally five people at the world-famous 920 Special Dance in San Francisco. We talk about Spuds dancing for dogs, marvel at performance blues dancing, and fall…
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade: Swinging by the Seashore
As those of you who follow my blog know, I am a huge fan of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. For me, it is the quintesential New York summer event, a celebration of all that is wonderful and weird about NYC. As we have for the last 12 years, my group the Brooklyn Bombshell Revue…
“Black Coffee”: Fantastic Swing Jazz / Lindy Hop Music Video
Get your Monday morning started right with "Black Coffee," a swingin music video by the Careless Lovers band, featuring lots of great dancing and fine musicianship. This video took First Place in in the Seattle Vintage Jazz Dance Swing/Jazz Dance Music Video Contest! Directed by Angela Muir and Joon Chang. Congrats to everyone involved!…
The Disconnected Life Sucks
I currently have no phone and no car in California. It's like I don't exist as a person. Okay, it isn't quite that bad, but sometimes it feels that way. Through a series of accidents, I find myself both without personal transportation and more importantly without a smart phone. Learning how to navigate myself in…