Lindy Focused

Well, so much for live updates from Lindy Focus VIII. It was not from lack of anything to talk about. Plenty happened; I just decided to take advantage of the first event I’ve been to in over four years where I didn't have to work in any capacity. I almost forgot what it’s like just to go to an event just to dance. It took some time to get used to which is why it was nice to be there for all five nights. I didn’t partake in the whole event though as I only went to the evening dances, and skipped the classes. It was nice to sleep in and catch up with people during the day and spend the night dancing until the early mornings. I think I closed out all of the dances except the last one which lasted past 8 am. I left around 7 am only because I needed to pack and shower for the long ride home.

This was only my second Lindy Focus, but the event was noticeably larger than last year, which I was told was bigger than years’ past. The event originally started as a regional event featuring local instructors. As time passed and the other national level New Year’s events like Danver’s New Year’s Eve Extravaganza and the Rhythmic Arts Festival fell by the wayside or moved on, Lindy Focus stepped to the fore to offer a huge holiday event.

Questions & Answers

Naomi Uyama once told me that she sees two different kinds of performances. Those that ask questions and those that make statements. I thought of that when after I told I Karen and Andrew that I thought (and still do think) that the routine that they performed in the Lindy Hop Showcase earlier this week at Lindy Focus should win. Andrew responded that they didn’t perform to win. They just wanted to say something to their friends and anyone else that would see them. I really think that’s why I love watching them dance.

Weekly Video Highlight: The Silver Shadows' Secret Origins and Korean Variety Show

I hope everyone is having a great holiday. I'm off to Lindy Focus in Asheville, NC tomorrow with a sizable DC contingent. You'll recognize us when we roll in with the giant DC flags tied in between the cars in our convoy ;) I recently realized that this will be the first event that I haven't worked or DJ'd in over 4 years, so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm tentatively planning on updating from the event since I'm just down there for the evening dances. Until I post something, hopefully these videos will tide you over. This first video from the Korean Lindy Revolution 2009 by way of YouTube user hiyama80, was reposted recently on the YouTubes, so I thought I'd post it here too.

My Personal Favorite Lindy Moments in 2009

I had a conversation with my friend Ann earlier this year where we discussed what our greatest moments in our lives were up until that point. She then told me that she expected Frankie95 to be one of those moments. She brought this up since I was one of the people working on the event. No pressure at all. It was during this conversation that we realized that “greatest” doesn’t necessarily have to have a positive conotation. Hitler had the greatest impact on the course of the 20th century, but I’m pretty sure we’re not going to build him a monument anytime soon.

Favorite Performances of 2009: Other Dances in the American Vernacular Jazz Dance Tradition

In my opinion Adam is a way underrated dancer in our scene with a very unique sense of movement. There’s a great flow to this performance and I like the fact that he doesn't feel compelled to fill every moment with an American Vernacular Jazz DanceTM pattern. Sometimes all you need is good dancing.

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.

Favorite performances of 2009-Lindy Teams

This is part of a whole series of clips posted by YouTube user susannedr. I have no idea what the context is other than that it seems to be part of some program where they dance against a hip hop crew, but there aren’t any videos of the other team. Still, these are some inspired performances by the worlds best Lindy Hop team. This clip in particular combines everything that the new generation of Hot Shots can do individually and as a team.

The Lindy Loggers

We’re at a pretty quiet time in the Lindy Hop world as there are no major or minor events happening until Lindy Focus and Snowball right after Christmas. This is probably a good time to get caught up on your online Lindy reading. The Lindy blogosphere is surprisingly larger than you think. When I started this post I thought I was just going to describe a handful of sites, but once I was done compiling URL’s I came up with over 50.

Favorite Performances of the Year-Couple Routines

Technically from 2008, but right before the New Year. This performance was so awesome that they got asked to do it all over the place in 2009. Brilliantly funny, combined with great dancing. I like this clip especially because of the reactions of the judges especially Nina Gilkenson and Juan Villafane reflecting everyone’s complete surprise and delight in seeing this the first time. Click here to get a better view of their facial expressions from a performance from Lindyfest in Houston.

Lindy Hop and the Future Historical Record

Kelly Porter, a dancer out in Seattle, WA, is going forward with an idea that is long overdue. She is encouraging people to talk to their older relatives about life and dancing in the early half of the 20th century and is creating a web site designed for anyone to share this information. The site is called Jazz Era Voices, http://www.jazzeravoices.org/