Looks like all the news was coming out of Austin this weekend with the third Annual Lone Star Championships. Run by Tena Morales and Scott Angelius, this event is meant to be a more relaxed competition weekend with an emphasis on social dance contests such as Jack & Jill’s and Strictly comps. I didn’t go, but that won’t stop me from saying a few words and gratuitously mention that <plug> I work for Tena on the International Lindy Hop Championships happening this year August 19th-22nd, 2010. Registration opening soon!</end plug>
Responsibility
That’s one aspect of being a leader in our scene that gets the least amount of attention when people talk about becoming more active in our community whether it’s by performing, dj’ing, promoting events, or teaching. This thought doesn’t come out of nowhere. There’s an unfortunate story being revealed right now that I don’t necessarily want to talk about directly here, but it’s so big that it can’t and shouldn’t be ignored.
Weekly Video Highlights: Lindy Hop Argentina International Festival 2010
Sorry about the lack of updates this week. I'm remarkably unproductive when I'm sick, as I was last week, and I've been playing catch up at work after being away for almost two weeks between Lindy Focus and my cold. But I won't leave you hanging this week thanks to the fine Lindy Hoppers in Argentina of all places. Not just the land of tango anymore apparently, they held their forth Lindy Hop Argentina International Festival last weekend.
Weekly Video Highlights: The Snowball
In covering all this Lindy Focus stuff, I almost forgot about the other big New Year’s Lindy Hop event, The Snowball over in Stokholm, Sweden.
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.