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.

Music Archives

Sant Andreu Jazz Band From: johoffberg.com | October 19, 2011 Daaaaaaaaaaaaaang! What beauuuuuuuuuutiful music this is. Not only does Andrea Motis, the lovely miss in front, have a gorgeous voice, but she is a very good saxophonist. And let’s not forget about the trumpet player! Ricard Gili’s playing is warm and vibrant and his voice reminds me of a dirty martini (can’t explain that one….just go with it). Uuuuhhh, he’s amazing!

Swing Cats Jamboree – Louis Prima From: swingjazzblues.blogspot.com | September 01, 2011 Check out this great short film, Swing Cats Jamboree, where Louie Prima and his band performs 3-4 songs. There are also some dance in the video clip, for example a tap version of shim sham.

Tamar Korn with the Gauchos Last Night at Amnesia Bar: Jazz Bliss! (video) From: www.rikomatic.com | August 11, 2011 I'm still kvelling from the amazing two sets of music performed last night by the Gauchos jazz band playing with the incomparable jazz singer Tamar Korn at Amnesia Bar in the Mission.  The Gauchos always put on an amazing gig, which SF lindy hoppers and jazz heads have known about for awhile.  But with Tamar Korn from New York on vocals, they are sublime.

The Space Between From: allthecatsjoinin.wordpress.com | July 28, 2011 When I was in college studying music theory and composition, I had a great professor who pushed us to think deeply about aesthetics. He exposed me to many composers and approaches to music to broaden my perspective about what music is and what makes music good. I struggled for three years to figure out my own beliefs about aesthetics and to make a convincing and logical argument for my beliefs. It was a painful process, often getting my ideas shredded in discussions, but it made me a better musician and a better person. Those ideas I developed about artistry, beauty, quality and expression as a musician have deeply influenced my thoughts about dancing.

The Carling Family Band : The Quintessential Lindy Hop Band (video) From: www.rikomatic.com | July 19, 2011 Last night was one of those frustrating / inspiring experiences that happens often in Herrang, where you have the most amazing band playing your favorite song, a roomful of the best lindy dancers in the world -- and you can't dance.

Give Swing a Chance Says Benny Goodman From: vforvintageblog.blogspot.com | July 12, 2011 There is one thing swing critics cannot combat. That is, that the public approves of swing. So why not give it a chance to prove it is not a flash in the pan, but the only really truly American music we have? Every other form of musical expression portrayed as a dance form originated abroad. Swing, as it is now being written and created, originates solely in the minds of musicians who think in the American way.

Songs of the Month Club: June 2011 From: allthecatsjoinin.wordpress.com | July 08, 2011 Happy belated fourth of July, everyone! I actually DJ-ed that night, and spent most of my weekend tracking down patriotic music for dancing rather than writing this blog post. Thankfully, Christina Austin kept things going here with this awesome post on following. In addition to patriotic dance tunes, I also picked up some songs during my adventures at Stompology in Rochester.

Kim Nalley sings Nina Simone… for Dancers! From: www.rikomatic.com | July 07, 2011 Last night I had the pleasure of catching local jazz diva Kim Nalley play a divine set of Nina Simone songs  in the elegant and intimate Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko in SF.  Kim has been doing her tribute to the great Nina Simone from mid-June, finishing up on July 17.  What made last night particularly special was that it was specifically organized for dancers as well as listeners.  So of course I had to be there!

Story about Lionel Hampton From: pustoblogsky.blogspot.com | June 18, 2011 My friend Bob (aka DJ Thor), writes in to share a story, and a tip on streaming great jazz over the internet:

"Black Coffee": Fantastic Swing Jazz / Lindy Hop Music Video From: www.rikomatic.com | June 13, 2011 Get your Monday morning started right with "Black Coffee," a swingin music video by the Careless Lovers band, featuring lots of great dancing and fine musicianship. This video took First Place in in the Seattle Vintage Jazz Dance Swing/Jazz Dance Music Video Contest! Directed by Angela Muir and Joon Chang. Congrats to everyone involved!

"Gentlemen in Squalor" by Top Shelf Jazz From: swingjazzblues.blogspot.com | June 08, 2011 The band Top Shelf Jazz has released a video of their song "Gentlemen in Squalor". The video has a great vintage feel and some swing dancers in it. Check it out.

Clever From: pustoblogsky.blogspot.com | June 05, 2011 A very clever idea from head Balboa DJ Kyle Smith: he ran an NCAA-style tournament to pick the top song for dancing balboa. Check out his bracket for 64 great tune recommendations, and to see which tracks made the final four.