Our office intern / b-boy Peter told me about a new b-boy documentary that was just released called "Turn It Loose." The film chronicles the journey of six b-boys from around the world all gathered for the Red Bull BC-1 competition in Soweto, South Africa in 2007. The documentary stars b-boys Lilou (France), Ronnie (USA),…
Create Your Own “Scott Pilgrim”-esque Avatar!
In anticipation of the film "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and vol. 6 of the graphic novel series "Scott Pilgrim" this summer, you can now create your own Scott Pilgrim-esque avatar here. The graphic novel by Bryan Lee O'Malley comes out July 20. The Edgar Wright directed movie opens August 13. Yes, I'm excited beyond-all-rationality…
John Doke’s CD Release Party at Swing 46 Last Night (video)
Last night I had the pleasure of being at the CD release party for John Doke's new album "John Dokes Sings, George Gee Swings" at Swing 46 Supper Club in Times Square. John's got such a soulful and smokey voice that blends perfectly with the rich tone of George's big band. John sang several of…
Catch the Brooklyn Bombshells This Thursday and Saturday!
For those of you who missed the world-famous Brooklyn Bombshell Revue at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade last Saturday, first off, shame on you! And second, all is not lost because we will be performing two more times this week! The first appearance will be at the Frim Fram Jam this Thursday at Club 412,…
West Coast Swing & Lindy Hop in LeAnn Rimes “Swingin” Music Video
I gotta say that I enjoyed this music video "Swingin" by country music singer LeAnn Rimes. The "dance contest" set-up was very cute, and the mix of west coast swing, east coast and lindy hop dancing was cool to see. I'm sure for most viewers, it's all just "swing." Only dance nerds like me are…
My Nerdy Costume in the 2010 Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Here I am as a vintage nerd as part of the legendary Brooklyn Bombshell Revue. The Bombshells were out in force at the 2010 Mermaid Parade at Coney Island yesterday. Yes, I know, it’s not very mermaid-y. But it fit, I think, in the general vintage aesthetic of our team. Much of what made the…
Brooklyn Bombshell Revue at the 2010 Mermaid Parade (video)
My group, the Brooklyn Bombshell Revue, had a glorious day at the 2010 Mermaid Parade today. We were out in force, numbering around 50 dancers — one of the largest organized groups in the parade. As per our tradition, we performed our routine twice, once in front of Famous Nathans, and once in front of…
It’s Mermaid Parade Day!
Get thee to Coney Island for the 2010 Mermaid Parade! Kick off is 2pm. Look for my group, the Brooklyn Bombshells, and cheer your head off!
In praise of Bonnie Thunders of the Bronx Gridlock: a jammer to end all jammers
Last weekend at Hunter College I had the pleasure of seeing the "Bronx Gridlock" take on the "Manhattan Mayhem" as part of the 2010 season of the Gotham Girls roller derby. I'm generally not a sports person, and certainly not as a spectator. But there's something wonderful, subversive and inspiring about roller derby that always…
Foundation: the best book on b-boy culture ever written
A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of seeing Joe Schloss, adjunct professor at NYU, speak about b-boy culture along with Ken Swift. Schloss spoke about b-boying in a way that I had never heard anyone speak before, combining the rigor of academic inquiry with insider knowledge as a practitioner of the craft. …