Martin Leclos has created this wonderful 3d interactive mini-site focused on the Jazz Age Lawn Party thrown by Michael Arenella and friends on Governor's Island during the summer. I love seeing my friends zoom in and out, watching them dance, and hearing their voices on the site. So well done! Thanks for creating this, Martin!…
Harlem Nightlife Map from the 1930s Harlem Renaissance
New York lindy hopper Mike Thibault posted on his blog a scan of this amazing illustrated nightlife map of Harlem during the height of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s. So many cool details, including colloquial expressions ('what's da numbah"), mores about alcohol and drug use (marijuana cigarettes 2 for $.25), popular dances ("snakehips," lindy…
I love my Chemex coffee maker
After getting two of the best cups of coffee ever from both my friend Paul and from Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco made from a Chemex coffee maker, I resolved to get one for myself for my birthday. Going against the increasing technification of the coffee process,the Chemex boils down coffee brewing to its essence:…
Music Video “I Wish” by Matt Palmer features PMT Dancers
I enjoyed this music video "I Wish" by R&B artist Matt Palmer. It features several dancers I know from PMT Dance Studios: Pavan Thimmaiah (choreographer), Matt Lopez, Alan Watson, and Antonio Boss. Great dancing and cool choreo that nicely accentuates the music and the emotion. The song is pretty damn catchy, and Matt Palmer has…
Showing of Documentary about Muslim Youth in America on August 25 in NYC
I'm excited to be helping organize this screening of a documentary film directed and produced by my friend Nina Froriep next Wednesday. It's going to be a special night, so I hope many folks can come! Here's the official announcement: Global Kids and Clockwise Productions cordially invites you to a showing of the film “Abraham’s Children,”…
“Step Up 3D”: Silly Plot, Amazing Hip-hop Dance on the Big Screen
A couple friends and I just saw "Step Up 3D," the latest installment of the successful hip-hop dance movie series. Directed by John Chu, the film bears absolutely no relationship to "Step Up" (2007), which I somewhat begrudgingly enjoyed. Knowing that this was going to be a cheesy plot that was largely an excuse for…
Yehoodi Video Talk Show #612: Ninjammers, Hot Shots, Bad Mullet Dancing and More!
Yes, it's another episode in the somewhat erratically released Yehoodi Video Talk Show, starring yours truly and my buddy Spuds. For those that don't know, Spuds and I do a regular audio podcast talking about what's happening in the world of lindy hop / swing dancing. And every few months or so, we get together…
Dining and Dancing in Nawlins
This past week, I got to spend a couple of days in the city of New Orleans for a teacher training I was conducting, which presented an opportunity to see some friends and enjoy this wonderful place. I have been feeling guilty that I haven't been back to New Orleans since Katrina struck in 2005. …
Badass Video Monday: “Eye of the Tiger” Performed on iPads by B-boys
This music video by alternative artist Scott Harris has everything I love: an homage to cheesy 80s music, all the music was produced on virtual instruments on the iPad, and it's performed by two fresh b-boys. I don't know about you, but this gets me hyped on a Monday morning. The two b-boys are Kid…
Learning to Slow Down and Embrace the Silence
The following is the message I delivered at Quaker Meeting this morning: So I was talking with my friend Rafi, who is a practicing Buddhist, about the recent month-long silent retreat he just came back from. I asked Rafi how it went. He replied that it was great but that he wished that he had…