I went shopping in Second Life for the first time in months. I wanted to get a snazzy new outfit for the April 12 Roundtable on Virtual Worlds and Nonprofits I'm co-hosting on MacArthur Island for Global Kids. I've always thought that Steampunk was such a cool aesthetic, but one that is hard to realize…
My 1st Switchcraft Project: A Light Up Wristband!
I'm inordinately proud to show you my first switchcraft project I did tonight: a wristband with a couple of LEDs sewn onto it. Using the lilypad e-sewing kit, it was easy to throw this together. Probably the hardest part is threading the thick 4-ply conductive thread onto a needle. Otherwise, it's just hand sewing the…
Checking out the mummies at the Brooklyn Museum (video)
Last night, at the "First Saturday" night at the Brooklyn Museum, I was among the "1stfans" group who got a behind-the-scenes look at how the Museum's conservators re-wrap ancient Egyptian mummies. BM conservator Lisa Bruno explained to us how difficult and time-consuming this process is. I loved the detail work on the covering of the…
ABDC Episode 510: Can Canada Win (North) America’s Best Dance Crew?
America's Best Dance Crew (Season 5) – MTV Shows Wow, really incredible second to last episode of America's Best Dance Crew. The challenge this week was to do performances that incorporate three different relatively obscure regional hip-hop styles: Turfin', Baltimore House and the New Orleans Bounce. Here's what I saw: Blueprint Cru looked a bit…
They Might Be Giants: the Puppet Show!
Last night, Rafi and I saw the fantastic "Puppet Playlist" show put on by Sinking Ship Productions, an experimental theater group that combines puppetry, music and movement in fun and engaging ways. Their "Puppet Playlist" series is a selection of short puppet acts, interspersed with musical numbers, all around a particular theme. Last night's was…
NOLA Brass Band leading Second Line across Brooklyn Bridge this morning! (video)
Here's some sorta grainy video of a bunch of New Orleans jazz musicians leading a crowd of revelers across the Brookyn Bridge this morning. That's DancingMan504 leading the procession like a jazz maniac. Who dat! Dancing to live NOLA jazz across the Brooklyn Bridge. Life doesn't get better.
Naomi Uyama and Peter Strom at Frim Fram (video)
Here's a sweet dance performance by lindy hop stars Peter Strom and Naomi Uyama at our dance the Frim Fram Jam last night. I love how smooth and relaxed they are in their movement.
Headed to Charlotte, NC April 8 for a UNCF Forum on Digital Media & Learning
I'm happy to announce that next Thursday, April 8, I will be speaking on a panel on digital media and learning at the Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sponsored by the UNCF (United Negro College Fund), the purpose of the forum is to "to look into what these new technologies mean for…
Linden Lab announces improved “First Hour” experience for new users
My friends at Ill Clan just sent me the news that Linden Lab has unveiled a totally revamped orientation experience for new uses of the Second Life virtual world. Statistics have shown the the overwhelming majority of new registrants log-in once and then don't return to Second Life, presumably because the interface was too…
Step Up 3 in 3D Trailer: B-boys… in Yo Face! (video)
Step Up 3D in HDTrailer Park Movies | MySpace Video John Chu has proven that he can put together a solid dance crew with the LXD. Now he's coming out with "Step Up 3"… in 3D. Yes, I'm excited about the dancing in this film, which has some of the sickest street dancers in the…