Here's my sister and I blowing out the candles on our respective birthday cakes, with a bunch of our cousins surrounding us. This weekend, the birthday celebrating continued, this time in California with a big family BBQ at my mom's house. It was a fantastic party, which like all parties from the Santos clan was…
New Midsummer Night Swing Promo Video!
The nice folks at Lincoln Center sent me a link to a new promo video that they produced about Midsummer Night Swing. It features some nice band footage, the lively crowd, testimonials by dancers … plus a brief appearance by me dipping the lovely Emily V at the very end of the video! By the…
The LXD Episode 4: The B-boy Office Battle Every Office Drone Dreams Of (video)
The LXD Episode 4 "The Uprising Begins" returns to b-boying,featuring Richard "Steelo" Vasquez in a one-on-one battle with a "former protegee." I like that it takes place in an office setting, using the props and the set to good effect, particularly the swirling papers and partitions. I'm sure a lot of salarymen and women out…
The LXD Episode 5: “The Lettermakers” (video)
The "Legion of Extraordinary Dancers" episode 5 is out! Entitled "The Lettermakers," it features krumpers Lil C and Deuce. Awesome dancing, but it's way too short! [Link to original video.]
“Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour”: O’Malley’s Hilarious, Thrilling Finale to the Pilgrim Saga
I just finished reading Bryan Lee O'Malley's new graphic novel "Scott Pilgim's Finest Hour," the conclusion to his epic "Scott Pilgrim" series, which came out today. For those that have missed it, "Scott Pilgrim" is a manga-style comic chronicle of the adventures of a slacker / musician / kung fu fighter who falls hopelessly in…
More Video & Pics from Midsummer Night Swing Finale & Dance Contest
Here's some video footage of the "Ambassador's Prize" dance contest on the last night of Midsummer Night Swing last Saturday. I'm dancing with the lovely Nina Galicheva, meanwhile you can see friends Emily V and Marty in the foreground. And here's a sweet pic of Nina and I dancing by Kevin Yatarola. Thanks for sharing…
Flappers, Dandies & Lindy Hoppers Take over Governors Island for the “Jazz Age Lawn Party” (UPDATED)
This weekend was another "Jazz Age Lawn Party" on Governors Island, two days of hot jazz from the 20s and 30s, performed in an idyllic setting amidst a cool canopy of trees and stately military quarters. The featured musical entertainment were Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, joined by Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society….
“Flying Home”: a Blowout Finale to 2010 Midsummer Night Swing Festival (UPDATED INFO RE WINNERS!)
I had the pleasure of being at the final night of the 2010 Midsummer Night Swing festival at Lincoln Center last night. I and several hundred happy dancers were treated to one the finest swing orchestras in the land, the Harlem Renaissance Orchestra under the helm of Ron Allen. I've seen and enjoyed HRO for…
Final Night of Midsummer Night Swing This Saturday: Harlem Renaissance Orchestra and Dance Contest!
Friends Eden and David on the banner of the Midsummer Nights Swing website! I can hardly believe it, but this Saturday is already the final night of Midsummer Nights Swing for 2010! This year, Lincoln Center organized an amazing line-up of bands and dances for their annual Midsummer Nights Swing festival. Lots of standout…
The LXD Episode 3: Robot Love Story (mini-review)
While episode 1 focused on b-boying, and episode 2 featured kung-fu / parcour, episode 3 of the web dance series "The League of Extraordinary Dancers" turned to the precise and less flashy danceform known as "popping." The main character in this episode is "Sp3cimin," played by robotic dancer "Madd" Chadd Smith. The popping that Chadd…