Analogies seem to be in fashion these days, and Lindy Focus is a good one for the way our scene has been developing for the past few years. What started out as a very small regional event, has now blossomed into one of the biggest in the country. I’ve been to the last three Lindy Focuses (Focii?). The first was Lindy Focus 7 just when the event was expanding by hiring bigger name instructors and bands. Now there aren’t just more attendees, but they’re more diverse in terms of experience level. I wrote a bit about this situation last year, and have been wondering how the community will deal with this dynamic in general and how an event like Lindy Focus can deal with it specifically.
Random DCene: Ultimate Showdown
I go up to the counter to pay for my hot chocolate. The cashier asks if I want to buy a bag of coffee grinds. She catches me at a bad moment. Instead of smiling and simply replying, "No, thank you," I dead pan "I hate coffee" deliberately overlooking the irony of our location. She smiles undaunted and replies instantly "Surely you must have some friends that enjoy coffee." Not a question. A statement.
I briefly consider spitting out "I don't have any friends," but I'm not playing a lone gun for hire. Instead I make my stand on privelidge and scorn. "I don't socialize with any of those kinds of people." I draw out the word "those" as if it's 1961 and no one has marched on Selma, Alabama yet.
We lock eyes. She knows no upselling will happen this day, at this transaction, but there's a pause as if she's considering another try just to piss me off. I already have a line at the ready. Something inappropriate involving dead puppies. I'm hoping, daring her to go there because I'm already here.
Then she smiles. The damning truth is evident. She's already won. "That'll be $3.69 please" she smirks. I curse under my breath as I realize that this game was over long before the coffee grinds gambit.
I squeeze my credit card in despair. I consider taking out the twenty in my wallet just to make her break it. But the truth is clear. I'm the one that's broken.
"Would you like a receipt?" she chirps. Her finger on the register ready to produce a physical token of my defeat.
"No." A beat. "Thank you." I gather up what's left of my dignity. I shuffle off to get my drink, wondering where the cute cashier is today.
Favorite Favorites 2010: We Are Lindy Hop
People come to this dance for all kinds of reasons. A common one is often escapism; dancing as a chance to get away from it all. Modern life can be filled with a lot of superficial interactions both online and in person. Social dance gives you an opportunity to for a kind of real and intimate one on one interaction that you can’t find almost anywhere else-at least not without getting tested before or after.
Follow This
In the mean time I thought I’d point out the cross blog conflagration over Bobby White’s ill worded analogy about following. (btw, how’s that MFA program working out for you, dude? Just kidding) It triggered a lot of thoughtful and interesting responses. It’s cool to go through them if only to see how well connected the Lindy blogosphere is these days. Go Team!!
Favorite Videos 2010 Blues & Balboa
Last stop. My top favorites will go up some time next week after I get home. Until then, I wish everyone a Happy New Year!!
Favorite Videos 2010: Solo Jazz
A bit of a misnomer since most of these are done in groups, but I trust that you get the idea. You can tell I’ve been doing these all at once because my descriptions are getting shorter, but at least a lot of these performances speak for themselves.
Favorite Videos 2010 Other Dancing
This is a combination of dances that don’t quite fit any of the traditional jazz dances done by Lindy, Balboa, or Blues dancers. They’re either more modern or they are a combination of several influences into something new. I wish there was a term for that . . .
Favorite Video 2010 Lindy Hop Couple Routines
The reason why there are so many posts is because there was so much good dancing that I had to break them up to keep each update from being too long. This post is a good example of how that's still a problem, but at least it's a good problem to have. That’s why I had to break out a separate post for my favorite of favorites which will come out right after the New Year.
Favorite Videos 2010: Music
Just a note: This blog is going on automatic for the next week. There should be a post every day Monday through Thursday with the rest of my favorite videos. I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to check it while I’m at home or at Lindy Focus next week, but feel free to leave a comment and I’ll reply whenever I can.
Northeast Girl Jam 2010 Mable Lee with the Boilermaker Jazz Band
The people who organized Northeast Girl Jam did a great service by giving people the opportunity learn and be entertained by the legendary Mabel Lee. Here she sings with the Boilermaker Jazz Band who once again demonstrate their versatility and virtuosity.
Snowball 2009 - Gordon Webster Sextet - Down By The Riverside
One of the good trends that has developed over the past few years is the growing relationship between dancers and musicians. Here’s the godfather of Lindy Hop, Steven Mitchell, channeling a bit of James Brown alongside a couple other dances, Malcolm Holt and Naomi Uyama tearing it up with Gordon Webster’s band over at the last Snowball.
ILHC 2010 Jonathan Stout & His Campus 5
Yeah, I know it’s my video. I’m biased that way. Just before this jam broke out, I checked my clock and knew Jonathan was going to end with a hot one. I figured that someone would film the jam, so I set up in front of the band. I always wanted to get footage of a great dance band like Jonathan’s during a jam.
And just for comparison’s sake, the jam itself.
ILHC 2010 LED Talks Preview
It was the time of your life and you know it.
Uptown Swing Class Review Peter Strom & Stacia Martin
Best use of music to make an instructional point.
Wherever you are and who ever you are, have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and/or a wonderful holiday. Good luck and God Bless. Take care, fare well, and all that Jazz. I hope to meet you on the dance floor sometime soon in the coming year.
Favorite Videos 2010: Lindy Hop Teams
Just a word about wording. The title means what it says, says what it means. This is just stuff that I like, and is by no means meant to be any sort of definitive compilation of the year's best performances. I like dancing, and I don't always have a good reason for stuff I like more than others. The intro is here and social dance highlights are here.