I'd like to be as honest as possible on this blog. Because of that I tend to shy away from negative criticism of events or performances. The scene is pretty small, and I'm pretty aware that any kind of chatter is bound to have some impact on teachers being hired or events succeeding or failing. At the same time I don't want this blog to be just about sunshine and rainbows either. So talking about other events especially competition events, (and ones I have not attended to boot) is a little dicey for me given my work with the International Lindy Hop Championships. I usually get around this by just commenting about videos, but in the case of the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, its getting harder and harder to do that without putting those videos into some sort of context. In my mind, there are local events, regional events, super regional events, and national/international events. There are only a handful of events that I would consider touchstones. Events that everyone talks about even if they weren't there. Events that drive the scene.
Favorite Performances of 2009-Social Dances
Check out the right side towards the end during the all skate as two of my new favorite Southern California dancers, Kim Clever and David Frutos whip out 10 consecutive kips, sort of referencing one of my all time favorite moments from the year before where Nina Gilkenson and Mikey Pedroza brought the house down with 10 swingouts in a row.
AIR pt. 14: The Plot Twist
Two years ago, I compiled a list of my favorite routines from The American Lindy Hop Championships in response to an open request by that event’s promoter. As I was making the list, I discovered that I found it harder and harder to come up with stand out moments as time went on. It wasn’t because the dancing was bad—in fact it was much better technically as years pass—but very little stood out creatively in the way Minnies’ Moochers, Jenn Salvadori & Justin Zillman, or Mad Dog did during their times.
Random Links & Videos: History Lesson Edition
Four weeks after ULHS and still no word on official results. Even ALHC put up their results a week after it ended. I still have unofficial results in my "ULHS 2009 Round Up" post, and at least lots of people are talking about ULHS online. I also just added another blog to that post from another attendee. <Me>
Just in case ALHC was feeling neglected, someone who attended that event finally posted a review to prove that someone went. The omnipresent and always opinionated Allen Hall chimes in with the latest installment of his <News and Views>
That post also includes his latest sojourn to DC with his wife Rudy last week. They hit up The Boilermakers at Glen Echo hosted by Flying Feet and stopped by The Jam Cellar.
Q & A with Skye Humphries pt. 4
Let's talk about the places where you can Lindy Hop – If I wanted to start, how could I do that?
Most major cities have a Lindy Hop scene. The best place to start is the internet- finding the local dance and going out. Of course lessons are a helpful way to get a handle on the basics, but the most important thing is to go out and start moving to the music.
ULHS 2009 Video Index
This page is just to help me keep track of this years's Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown goodness.
Note that I've updated the ULHS 2009 Round Up with three additional blogs I've found about the event this year.
ULHS 2009 Round Up
ULHS 2009 Videos: Battle Footage
ULHS 2009 Videos-Friday Choreography Showcase
ULHS 2009 Videos: Saturday Evening Competitions-Solo Jazz and J & J
ULHS 2009 Videos: Sunday Evening Competitions
ULHS 2009 Videos: The Fun Stuff
ULHS 2009 Videos: The Fun Stuff
Here are some random miscellaneous various clips that people have put up to give you a little flavor of the sights and sounds of ULHS 2009. Baseball game between Musicians and Dancers
Chazz Young leads the Shim Sham at House of Blues
Tap & Craziness at the Wax museum
Meschiya Lake sings Backyard Blues with Luke Winslow King
Sister Kate & Friends
This Little Light of Mine - Preservation Hall Jazz Band
The Loose Marbles
Street Swing Dance Contest
Preliminary Round
Finals
ALHC Results & Other Contest Notes
ULHS 2009 Videos: Sunday Evening Competitions
Solo Blues Music played by: The Loose Marbles
Preliminary Round
Final
Dancers in order of appearance:
- Dax Hock
- Nikki Marvin
- Sara Deckard
- ??? (Anyone know?)
Preliminary Round Heat 2
Final
Dancers in order of appearance
- Michale Darigol & Sara Deckard
- Giselle Anguizola & Chance Bushman
- Tommy Blacharz & Annie Trudeau
- Todd Yannacone & Alice Mei
- Ramona Staffeld & Peter Strom
Winners: Ramona Staffeld & Peter Strom
AIR pt. 13: Give It Up, Turn It Loose
The most important creative decision concerning the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown had nothing to do with the format of the competitions. The event director, Amy Johnson, not only allowed people to film the contests with their own cameras, but also to let them distribute their footage freely. It was probably the most significant marketing idea in modern Lindy Hop history.