I am Lindy Hop

Bead 109 has a lovely post about “We Are Always Ballet“. I think the following sentiments will resonate with many of us who happened to stumble across Lindy Hop because we needed a diversion from work or an emotional escape from life’s challenges:

It Goes To Your Toes

At this past Stompology, Laura Glaess taught a routine inspired by a clip from the film “Greenwich Village” which I found educational and loads of fun. However when I saw the actual clip online after the event I was captivated by the dancing and the scene that goes on in that film clip. If you haven’t watch the actual clip it has a slow and mellow intro but, it is a great contrast and build up for what comes after.

Learning Again and Again the Art of Partner Dancing

Today the advanced group had three classes with just one teaching couple: Jo Hoffberg and Kevin Saint Laurent. They taught something both totally simple and exceedingly difficult: how to lead and follow your partner.

Makeup is like Dancing….say whaaaa?

The Problem: Hi. My name is Mary and I am (was?) Makeup challenged.

Learning to Teach Swing Dance 101

One story I have frequently encountered in the last year of my swing dance travels is individuals being thrown into the situation of teaching swing dance lessons and having to learn how to teach… while teaching. This story mainly has been encountered from individuals coming from college swing dance clubs or smaller and more isolated scenes.  This trial by fire experience for some people can be often an intimidating and stressful experience.

Random thoughts: dance expression

Fenn takes issue with a post written by Steve Losh about how blues dancers use their body movement to respond to the song Saint James Infirmary in which he writes:

Argentina Representing at ESDC 2011

Argentina put themselves on the map this past weekend at the European Swing Dance Championships. Six superb dancing came this weekend to compete and they threw down. Many of you already know Juan Villafane who has been teaching and traveling since Fall 2007 with his stunning partner Sharon Davis, but for many, this might be the first time you’ve seen many of the other talent from the other side of the world!

Dance/Art

Cover Your Bits

For the record, at any dance event, I would prefer not to see any other follows’ hoo-ha, jiggly bits, cheeks, thong, sheer or lace underwear, or tanga. The last straw was at All Balboa Weekend this year when a follower in a competition wore minimal coverage undergarments that were visible when she turned. Someone commented that “She needed some Heinies” and several others agreed that, yes, it was distracting from her dancing to see so little there.

Swing Culture (Or, Part 1 of What Makes a Good Scene)

Often, I am asked by students or colleagues, "What city do you think has the best blues/lindy scene?"  This is, of course, a complicated question, for the obvious reason that 'best' is vague, broad, and personal.  I think that most people can agree on several of the factors that would need to be measured: size of the scene, skill of the dancers, the quality of the music, the number of weekly events, the presence and skill of the instructors... but of course, there are probably many more.

AIR pt. 16: Not Really The End

So the last part of this paper got posted about a year and a half ago. The whole thing has actually been done for almost four years now, but in posting it here on this blog, the plan was for me to revise it as I went along because I actually don’t agree with some of the original conclusions. However, as time goes on, it is becoming apparent that I’m just not going to have the time to do a full scale revision. I’m also not close to finishing any other posts anytime soon, so in the interest of completion and just to post something this is the thrilling finale of Artistry in Rhythm.

Laying Down A Foundation: Tool to Creativity

Mainly due to a life time curiosity to learn how to play a particular instrument and slightly because I wanted to understand music from a jazz musicians perspective, for about a little over a month I have slowly been learning how to play clarinet. Just last night I managed to play for the first time an entire scale (Bb major) without making a horrible noise or getting off time.