Swing aficionados generally use words like "happy" and "fun," when describing their dance, and Lindy Hop the original style of swing, is often referred to as "an outward expression of an inner joy." Sometimes silly, sometimes cool, it's a dance that lifts the spirits. And to those that catch the bug ( the "Jitter"-bug, that is), it's an addictive thrill.
So begins Tamara Stevens new book Swing Dancing (2011, Greenwood Press). Part of the "American Dance Floor" series, Swing Dancing is almost certainly the first textbook to focus on the history of lindy hop. It's notable because it was written by one of its practitioners, Tamara Stevens, a swing dancer, teacher, and co-owner of the Pasadena Ballroom Dance Association since 1983.
From the beginning, it is obvious you are reading a history of our dance written by someone who has lived and breathed lindy hop for decades. When she writes about the passing of Frankie Manning, you can sense how well she understands our collective grief. And the internecine battles over "Hollywood" and "Savoy" style, "Westies" versus lindy hoppers, and other in-house arguments would be difficult for anyone outside of the cult to penetrate.
It was thrilling reading an academic book about lindy hop from someone who "gets it."
Continue reading ""Swing Dancing" Book Chronicles Lindy Hop from Slavery to Today" »
There are dozens of movies in the theaters right now that I'm dying to see. Most of the Oscar-nominees and some popcorn flicks. But I can wait for all of these to come to DVD / streaming if I have to. Except for two: "The Artist" and "Pina."
"The Artist" is the most original film I have seen in a long, long time. Much has been made of this movie about the silent film era that is itself a silent film. What is remarkable is how after a few minutes having the only sound being the beautiful score and all of the dialogue in large text cards seems totally normal. So much is conveyed by facial expressions, body language, and how the shots are composed. You are forced to pay attention to every twitch of a lip, a slight gesture of a hand.
It's also a lot of fun. Experiencing it with an audience and hearing everyone's laughter, gasps and whispers is an important part of the film. Watching it on your iphone during your commute just won't do!
Continue reading "Movies You Must See in the Theaters: "Pina" and "The Artist"" »
Last week I had the pleasure of teaching a dozen high schoolers some basic charleston and jazz steps for my friend Rosalyn, who teaches at a school in San Francisco. Apparently this school allows the students to take a dance class as their physical education requirement. I wish they had this at my school!
I decided that I wanted to give them a crash course in jazz step and charleston vocabulary. My hope was that the teens would leave the class with some specific dance steps learned, but also a general appreciation for the feeling and awesomeness of solo charleston and jazz.
Here's how the class went...
Continue reading "Teaching Teens to Charleston is Awesome" »
It was a packed audience of fans in this lovely concert hall, part of Freight and Salvage's Django and Stephane weekend festival. Sadly though there was no dancing, except for two couples swaying in the wings.
Luckily, tomorrow night, Monday January 30, Hot Club will be performing again at the delightfully divey Amnesia Bar in the Mission. Jazz fans, lindy hoppers and everyone else needs to catch these cats! Tickets are $20, starts at 9pm.
Yes, it's that time again -- it's Yehoodi Video Talk Show time! This time around, Spuds, Letta and Rik show off their favorite swing-relted videos and pics from the past months. Yet again, we filmed live at the 920 Special dance in San Francisco. Thanks to the 920 folks for letting us use their space as an impromptu video studio.
Head here to watch all the hijinks.
My swing dance podcast: The Yehoodi Talk Show! |
