This weekend was the grand opening of the "Preservation Hall West," a San Francisco-based annex of the venerable jazz institution the Preservation Hall in New Orleans. I was lucky enough to catch the second line parade by the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band through the Mission District on Friday afternoon to welcome the new venue,…
Cal Academy Digital Learning Team Expands: New Roles & Job Openings!
I realize I haven't updated my blog on the exciting changes to my role and my awesome team at the California Academy of Sciences. The Digital Learning Department at the Academy has been busy launching some awesome pilot projects over the first year of it's existence, from a citizen science scavenger hunt in Mt. Tam,…
Monday Blues: “I Need a Dollar” by Aloe Blacc (video)
Someone give this man a dollar! Holy cats, "I Need a Dollar" by Aloe Blacc is the best soul song of 2012. This earworm is going to stick with me all week, I'm sure. Also check the equally amazing live acoustic version.
Nicole & Carl Dance to New “SwingNation” Theme Song! (video)
Check out this fantastic mini-showcase routine put together by my friends Nicole Zuckerman and Carl Nelson. It's a great bit of choreography with wonderful styling and flourishes, and dynamic movement throughout. But what I like best is that it is choregraphed to the new theme song for Yehoodi's new talk show "SwingNation"! It's a jaunty…
Awesome Teens Make Awesome Science Videos that Are Awesome
I'm excited to share here three wonderful "Science in Action" videos created by a group of teens who worked together at the California Academy of Sciences this summer. The 10 high schoolers had just two weeks to learn about the Academy, choose and research a science topic, master camera, sound and video editing techniques,…
Me Dancing in the Cypher in “The Ella Effect” Show (video)
Lots of people have asked about when video from "The Ella Effect" show that I participated in on Friday will be available. My friend Jim has the whole thing on his camera, but it will take awhile to edit it for our youtube channel. In the meanwhile, here's a short clip of me dancing…
The Cast of West Wing and Sarah Silverman Want You to Register to Vote! (video, NSFW)
It's National Voter Registration Day! I do whatever Sarah Silverman and President Bartlett tell me to do. (The Sarah Silverman one is, obviously, NSFW.)
Keone Madrid and Mariel Martin “Please Don’t Stop the Music” (video)
Thanks to Tessa for bringing Keone Madrid and Mariel Martin into my radar. Keone and Mariel are members of Choreo Cookies dance team in San Diego, and a real life couple, as seems obvious from this video. I've been watching this video of theirs every day or so for the past couple of weeks, and…
What If You Bring It and No One Catches It?
I'm of mixed emotions right now. I'm feeling elated and proud that my dance crew and I pulled off a really fun show last night, along with other amazing dancers and musicians. I felt like I gave a strong performance, bringing my own spirit and joy to the stage. You should have been there!…
Catch “The Ella Effect” Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald TONIGHT ONLY in SF
I'm delighted to be performing tonight along with a boat-load of amazing musicians and dancers in this unique tribute to Ella Fitzgerald called "The Ella Effect" in San Francisco. For one night only, Josh Klipp and his Klipptones will perform several of Ella's most iconic songs from "A Tisket a Tasket" to "Mack the Knife."…