Rabbits and Toasters was founded in 2010 and features manually selected articles from the best dance blogs on the web. The site is updated several times a day, check back often. Do you run a blog you think should be apart of the network? Send us an email.

Dance Articles Archives

Dancing Bass, Drums and Keys From: allthecatsjoinin.wordpress.com | January 24, 2011 I’ve heard many great instructors say, “We don’t dance steps, we dance rhythms.” I appreciate that as a musician and a teacher. I’ve been mulling over the concept of dancing rhythms as I practice, and thinking about musicality. I’ve heard a lot of amorphous explanations of musicality over my years as a dancer and student. What does it mean to express the music? To dance a line or the melody? When we say, “we dance rhythms,” what rhythms are we talking about.

Mary Freitag From: johoffberg.com | January 22, 2011 While maintaining connection with her partner, her left hand says “Ta-Da”. Her high waist pants are ridiculously awesome and compliment what she’s got and I adore her choice of fabrics.  She’s got a touch of accent by rocking some red sock with her heels. AND last, but not least, check out the swivel! One foot is over rotated Looks like I’ll need to add this picture to my swivel review!

Live to Suck From: jsalmonte.wordpress.com | January 20, 2011 Sarah Breck and Dax Hock were on the television show “Live to Dance” recently.  Unfortunately for them, Dax injured his back before their performance in the semi-final round. However, I think it probably was for the best because it gave the judges something to talk about other than the dance itself.

Pillow Talk: Memorable Dances From: allthecatsjoinin.wordpress.com | January 19, 2011 Memorable dances or magic dances are a deep part of our lindy addiction. Listen in on a little late night conversation as we share our top three memorable dances and ponder the linking factors.

On Judging, Part 1: The Basic Competition Blueprint From: swungover.wordpress.com | January 18, 2011 If you start to sweat the first time you are asked to judge a swing dance competition, take comfort in the fact that there is a system behind it all, and if there isn’t, then the contest has bigger problems than you possibly judging wrong.

Being the Board, lindy-style From: allthecatsjoinin.wordpress.com | January 17, 2011 As a follow, I’ve gone through many learning phases, and not always in a linear fashion. There was holy-moley-this-is-all-great-but-I-am-terrified, followed by whoa-I’m-not-as-good-as-I-fancied-myself-to-be, and one I hope I’ve permanently squelched, I’m-in-a-cruddy-mood-so-if-we-have-fun-it’s-up-to-you. Learning to follow often felt like chasing a vapor to me. It’s there then it’s not and there appear to be so many factors and variables: the music, me, my partner, the floor, the timing, my height, his height, varying styles, etc. There’s the idea of perfect technique, but I’m not a perfect dancer and there’s a good chance my partner isn’t either.

The “Newbie Problem” From: taintwhatyoudo.wordpress.com | January 14, 2011 The “Newbie Problem” is something that is often brought up in the community. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, I’ll explain it.

Lindy Focusing From: jsalmonte.wordpress.com | January 14, 2011 Analogies seem to be in fashion these days, and Lindy Focus is a good one for the way our scene has been developing for the past few years.  What started out as a very small regional event, has now blossomed into one of the biggest in the country.  I’ve been to the last three Lindy Focuses (Focii?).  The first was Lindy Focus 7 just when the event was expanding by hiring bigger name instructors and bands.  Now there aren’t just more attendees, but they’re more diverse in terms of experience level.

I Charleston Herrang! I love the “I… From: thelindyroll.tumblr.com | January 12, 2011 I love the “I Charleston…” series. Lighthearted, fun, and one of the few places where techno-swing is appropriate. Spank that baby.

Why the Cool People Aren’t Talking to You Yet From: feedproxy.google.com | January 12, 2011 Why aren’t the cool people talking to me??” When I first fell in love with dancing, this question plagued me. I wanted to be friends with the cool people in my scene, but they didn’t talk to me. They talked to each other, but not to me.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Asking a Lead to Dance From: www.atomicballroom.com | January 11, 2011 I’m the first to admit that I’m hardly an authority on social dance etiquette. However, there are a few personal guidelines I’ve picked up for myself over the years. I’ve also spoken with a few leads about their pet peeves. There aren’t any hard and fast rules, but these are things that I try to be cognizant of when asking a lead to dance:

Savoy! The Home of Happy Feet… From: blog.swingpatrol.com | January 10, 2011 Savoy…it’s a popular word in Lindy Hop circles. It’s a style, it’s a place, it’s a great tune by Lucky Millinder.  But what is it? Well, it was a Ballroom on 596 Lenox Avenue in Harlem, New York City and one of the most popular dance venues in Harlem between the 1920s to the 1950s.