The Click Heard Round the World

Virtual Content Creators, Go to SL Pro February 23-25! (paid ad)

If you want to take your virtual building and scripting skills to the next level, go to SL Pro, the premier in-world content creation conference in Second Life.  February 23-25, 2010. Here's what you can expect:

• Learn tips and tricks from some of the most talented content creators and scripters in Second Life
• Learn how the pros created successful businesses in Second Life
• Spend formal and informal time with many of the experts in key topics related to content creation and business - all in one place
• Compete in Content Creation Challenges to show off your skills

Get more info and register at the official SL Pro website.(Paid advertisement)

Feed by M.T. Anderson: Does Technology Empower or Disable Us? (mini-review)

A couple of weeks ago, I finished the cyberpunk novel Feed by M.T. Anderson, and have been meaning to post a little review of it, along with several other books I finished recently.  I keep thinking about the message and story of Feed, which relates directly to the overall themes of this blog on technology, society and civic engagement.

Feed is a short dystopic scifi novel about a world where technology has become such a part of people's lives that they wear embedded computers that feed news, advertising, television programs, music and electronic messages directly into their brains. Told through the perspective of one teenage boy, Feed is a cautionary tale that explores issues of media consolidation, consumerism, privacy and environmental degradation. 

It becomes clear quite early in the novel that the traditional sources of knowledge, from books to schools to the news have been surplanted by videos, music, commercials and corporate-controlled communications.  The irony of reading a book about a society of people who don't read books was not lost on me. 

Flamenco photos and performance at Aperture Gallery

This week, I got an invite from my friend Leslie to the Aperture Gallery for the opening of flamenco photo exhibit called "No Singing Allowed." It's a really impressive retrospective of photography of the Spanish artform, told from both the outsider's eye and by Spaniards themselves.  I found it very telling how this vernacular dance was represented and interpreted by foreign photographers as something "exotic" and strange.  

At the opening on Friday, the visitors were treated to a performance by Pastora Galván, a powerful flamenco performer who demonstrated how this art is alive and well. Above you can see her opening piece, deftly incorporating singing, clapping, tap, and movement of the enormous train on her dress.  So amazing.

More performance by Galván after the jump...

Global Kids Winter Gala February 24 at Council on Foreign Relations

I'm pleased to invite you to Global Kids annual Winter Gala, held at the illustrious Council on Foreign Relations on February 24th. This is Global Kids' twentieth year serving New York City's at-risk youth with our innovative combination of global issues, community engagement, and academic achievement.

The Winter Gala is Global Kids' main fundraiser event for the year, and one of our few public events where anyone can meet directly with some of our Global Kids teen leaders.  This year we are honored to be joined by VIP guests Craig Hatkoff, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, and Sergio Galvis, a Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.  

Head to the GK website to register and contribute.  The "young professional" ticket is just $125.  All contributions are tax deductible. If you have any questions, please contact Arti Sheth at asheth@globalkids.org, 212-226-0130 ext. 106.

How to Learn to Lindy Hop

The other night, I was helping my friend Akemi teach a basic lesson to some older people, and was observing the many things that were tripping people up -- how to dance on the beat, how to listen to your partner, how to move from your center, etc.  It reminded me that for people who have no background at all with social dancing, it's pretty intimidating getting started lindy hopping.

That said, there's more resources and help available than ever before for someone who wants to start swinging today.  Here's some tips from a 12 year veteran of the dance...

B-boy 187 Meen talks about musicality, his influences & hip-hop culture

I love this interview from Breakernyc.com with b-boy 187 Meen.  He talks about how he developed his own style, where he draws his influences from, and the relationship between b-boying, the music and the larger hip-hop culture. 

I thought it was interesting what he had to say about why b-boy competitions can no longer be judged by the crowd. According to 187, the general public doesn't understand the moves that b-boys are doing because they are divorced from the community. Back in the day, b-boying was understood in the hood, but now most people in the city have moved on and b-boying has become this niche dance form.  So now all b-boy competitions are judged by expert judges.

Kappa Alpha Psi: Winners of NYC Sprite Stepup Competition (video)

Because my friend Michelle asked for it, here's my clips of the winning fraternity of the New York City Sprite Step Up competition last night: Kappa Alpha Psi of Howard University.

Yes, those boys are tight. Amazing.

"Hop for Haiti" this Tuesday with George Gee at Swing46

My friend George Gee sends out word about a cool fundraiser for Haiti relief and recovery called "Hop for Haiti."  George Gee and his band will be performing this Tuesday, February 2, at Swing 46 in Times Square with all proceeds going to international humanitarian group Doctors without Borders. 

Lots of cool ways you can support at the dance party, including a raffle and silent auction of the following prizes:

• Season passes to the 2010 Midsummer Night Swing Season at Lincoln Center
• $50 Gift Certificates for dinner and dancing at SWING46
• $50 Gift Certificates to Fred's Restaurant
• $50 Gift Certificates for SwingDanceShop.com
• Copies of Frankie Manning's biography autographed by both Frankie and the writer Cynthia Millman
• FREE ADMISSION to every Tuesday night at SWING46 with George Gee for the remainder of 2010
• Plenty of swingin's CDs

Swing 46 is at 349 West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues in Times Square.

The complete announcement from George follows after the jump...

Ludacris at Sprite Step Off at Roseland last night (video)

The massive crowd at the Sprite Step Off last night got an unexpected treat at the end of the show: hip-hop superstar Ludacris rolled up and did a mini-set that got the ballroom jumping.  Here's a brief video of his opening number.

I've never seen Ludacris live.  He's a consummate performer and knows how to work the crowd.  And when he closed with "Move (Bitch)" the place just blew up.

Phi Beta Sigmas tear it up at Sprite Step Off at Roseland last night (video)

Last night I joined a thousand or so people crammed into Roseland Ballroom to catch the Sprite Step Off, a nationwide stepping competition.  Step teams from various Black fraternities and sororities are competing for $1.5 million dollars in scholarships, as well as the honor of being the nation's best step crew. For those not in the know, "stepping" is a hybrid, percussive dance form incorporating military drills, gymnastics, tap, African and Caribbean dance, and hip-hop.

This was my favorite step team of the night, Phi Beta Sigma's "No Mercy Team" from Rutger's University. To my untrained eye, this crew brought the most passion, dynamics, acrobatics, and power to the stage.  And I love the homage to Africa at the end, which takes stepping back to its roots.

Congrats to all the competitors who brought the heat to Roseland.  I bet the finals are going to be hype!

Can't Stop, Won't Stop: B-boys with "Disabilities" (video)

I'm going through a personal dance funk, which happens to every dancer periodically.  In order to bolster my spirits, I've been trying to connect with the reason why I dance. No "big revelations" yet, but here's some inspiring videos of hip-hop dancers who have clearly had to overcome difficulties way beyond what I've ever had to face. These are all dancers who have various physical "limitations" that didn't keep them from rocking the cypher.  Check em all out!

B-boy Junior

First up, B-boy Junior. About every month or so someone sends me a video of him saying, "This is the best b-boy in the world."  This French breaker is somewhat of a mystery.  B-boy forums spread rumors that he has a false leg due to polio, or just one leg that isn't as strong as the other.  Whatever it is, clearly it has not stopped him from doing some heart-stopping freezes and powermoves.