It's the first real day of the Herrang Dance Camp for me. Today the advanced group had three classes with just one teaching couple: Jo Hoffberg and Kevin Saint Laurent. They taught something both totally simple and exceedingly difficult: how to lead and follow your partner. The concept was to lead precisely very simple figures…
Off to Herrang Dance Camp for a Couple Weeks
Starting on Saturday, I will be — for the third time! — at the Herrang International Dance Camp, in the quaint northern Swedish town of Herrang. I'm looking forward to being with the hundreds and hundreds of lindy hop afficionados from around the world that converge on Herrang. And lots of good friends will be…
Kim Nalley sings Nina Simone… for Dancers!
Last night I had the pleasure of catching local jazz diva Kim Nalley play a divine set of Nina Simone songs in the elegant and intimate Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko in SF. Kim has been doing her tribute to the great Nina Simone from mid-June, finishing up on July 17. What made last…
Lindy Hoppers Ryan François and Remy Kouame in Slow Club Music Video “Two Cousins” (video)
Check out this awesome music video by the band Slow Club for their new single "Two Cousins." It features lindy hoppers Ryan François and Remy Kouakou Kouame doing an homage to legendary dancers Al Minns and Leon James. I love it, even if their dancing doesn't really go with the music.
I’m older today….
… but probably not any wiser. 😮 ;-)
Jazz Mafia Free 10 Year Anniversary CD: Bring the Brass, Bows and Beats!
For you jazz heads and hip-hop heads, check out this awesome free music compilation by the incomparable Jazz Mafia, which I've got playing out of my speakers right now! Just head to their website for instructions on how you can download it. I know I am like 10 years too late to the party….
Step Up 2 the Streets: Dance Review, Not a Movie Review
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…