Robert Kenner, director of the documentary "Food, Inc" and the forthcoming "When Strangers Click" is being interviewed on the Second Life talk show "Tonight with Paisley Beebe" on Sunday February 6 at 6pm PST. The short film explores how people are connecting with each other on the Internet, whether it be on a dating…
Rik’s NYC Bucket List : Amateur Night, Elegant Swing, and Lots of Pork
So my last two weeks in New York were spent fulfilling several "Bucket List" items that are my favorite things to do in the city. Here's a quick rundown of what I did. Probably the only true "Bucket List" item — something that I've never done that I've always wanted to do — was to…
My Farewell Dance Party in NYC: B-boys, Lindy Hoppers, and Quakers Getting Down!
One of the last things I wanted to do in New York was throw a dance party and invite all of my friends to hang out and dance together. So on Saturday, January 22, more than sixty of my favorite people gathered at You Should Be Dancing Studios to get their groove on. It was…
Documentary features Lindy Hop Legend Ms. Dawn Hampton and Hampton Family
Those in New York City should set your DVRs to catch "The Unforgettable Hampton Family," a new documentary by filmmaker Julie Cohen about an extraordinary African-american family of jazz musicians premiering on Thursday February 3 on WNET (Channel 13). The short film features musician/ singer/ dancer extraordinaire Ms. Dawn Hampton, a mainstay of the New…
Congrats to the Winners of the Bally’s Swing Dance Off in Atlantic City!
I'm happy to share with you the results of the Bally's Swing Dance Off, co-sponsored by Yehoodi.com, that took place yesterday evening at Bally's Casino in Atlantic City. From the reports I'm reading, it looks like an awesome event for everyone involved, including six hours of social dancing and competition, two amazing big bands, and…
Worshipping with Quakers in Palo Alto : Red Means Ministry!
This morning I continued my "spiritual tourism" of the Bay Area, visiting the lovely Palo Alto Quaker Meeting. A number of Friends recommended this community to me, knowing of my plans to relocate to the Bay. While it's probably too far to be my main Quaker home here, I thought it was still worth a…
“Real Virtuality”: the Museum of the Moving Image Pixellates Reality with Mixed Results
The Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, is one of those New York cultural treasures that I've been hearing about for years and years and just never got around to visiting. First off, it's in Queens, which is still somewhat opaque and mysterious to me. Secondly, uh, it's been a busy 15 years. And…
Mole and I Chillin’ in Cali: From Snowstorms to Sunshine
So my cat Mole Negro and I took a fairly smooth and drama-free trip from Brooklyn to my mom's place in the Bay Area yesterday. Mole was a trooper, even when he had to be carried through the security scanner, suffered through a long and bumpy plane ride, and then a short drive to my…
COBU Japanese Tap-Drum Ensemble at PMT This Sunday, January 30!
I'm just a few hours in California, and I'm already missing two awesome dance events in New York City this weekend! For you tap / drum fans, the Japanese ensemble COBU is not to be missed on Sunday. Blending ear-splitting taiko drumming, funky rhythm tap, and hip-hop dance, COBU performances is a visual, aural and…
Thanks for the memories, New York! San Francisco, here I come!
Today at 4pm, Mole Negro and I board a flight for San Francisco, our new / old home! It's been a really fun last two weeks in New York, knocking out pretty much everything on my "Bucket List" and then some! The finale was an awesome last Frim Fram Jam at Club412, with a goodbye…