The NY Times recently posted The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century, and I'm curious to see what a Lindy Hop equivalent would look like. Who wants in?
Sw!ng Out In Context
A couple of years ago, I listened to LaTasha Barnes lay out the vision for what was then going to be known as Swing 2020. Despite being excited about the prospect of the show that revolved around Lindy Hop, part of me doubted that they would actually be allowed to bring that vision to the stage. When I finally saw SW!NG OUT in person last week, I still could not believe what I was seeing because I was just shocked that we were getting to see Lindy Hop on stage being presented like this.
My Re-Listenables
Fans enjoying the music at Lindy Focus on New Year’s Eve, 2017.
I gave away most of my music recently, but saved a few albums at the last minute.
New Year's Day Portraits
My impromptu New Year’s Day Photo project
My Last DJ Set for The Jam Cellar Is a History of The Jam Cellar
Last Tuesday, I put together a playlist that told the Jam Cellar's story as I have experienced it over the past 15 years.
Notes on Improvised Photography of Improvised Dance
The goal of event photography for most dance events is to show people looking good or having a good time. Ideally both. There are times though, when I end up a with a bunch of photos which don't necessarily fit either category, but I find personally interesting. While a picture is supposed to be worth a thousand words, I'll take any excuse to geek out on photography or dance. This is a good a time as any to do both.
Embrace Dance
StreetDancer
Project
Dance Of, By and For the People
The #StreetDancerProject has allowed me to work an impressive array of talent across so many different genres of dance. I've lost track of the times that people have said that they enjoy their dance because of the creative opportunities or the sense of connection they have discovered with another person or a greater community. I look forward to further exploring this interesting little facet of human creativity.
You can my follow my work through:
Website: http://jsalmonteproductions.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JSAlmonteWandering
Instagram: https://instagram.com/j_s_almonte/
Tumblr: http://streetdancerproject.tumblr.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/j_s_almonte
Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsalmonte/
Lindy Hop Has No Soul
Lindy Hop has no soul. It never did. It never will.
That's how I started a response to a reddit thread earlier this year talking about how Lindy Hop Hop lost its soul. I wanted to expand on that post a bit.
2016 Video Highlights From Around the Lindyverse
700 dancers hitting the Flying Home break as played by the Jonathan Stout Orchestra at DCLX 2016
What were the best Lindy Hop videos of 2016? I am not entirely sure. That didn't stop me from putting together a list of 100+videos that I think represent Vernacular Jazz Dance this year.
Lindy Focus All Star Big Band Scorecard
You'd be this happy too if you were playing at Lindy Focus.
Jonathan Stout's Lindy Focus All Star Orchestra is delivering the goods, and people are taking note with more and more people crowding around the bandstand each night to bask in the aural glory. Here are a few things to watch and listen for over the next remaining nights of unprecedented musical goodness.