somebody's blog
You Never Know Who You're Dancing Dancing With
Submitted by somebody on 4 August 2008 - 2:01pm.We recently, or rather, I recently posted some discussions on the importance of our (USADance LA) dance hosts smiling and being affable.
I was at Camp Hollywood this past Friday. It's a big Swing/Lindy Hop conference. I saw Rusty Frank there, from Rusty's Rhythm Club and asked her to dance. It was a slow Swing tune, so I started doing my Parker Walk (Ballroom a la Fred Astaire). Just as we began dancing, she abruptly stopped and grabbed a little old lady and told me to dance with her.
Lack of Etiquette in the Salsa Crowd
Submitted by somebody on 2 August 2008 - 11:14am.Here is a link to a recent LA Times article: "Dancing is not an extreme sport", discussing the lack of etiquette in some Salsa venues.
Why We Need Dance Hosts
Submitted by somebody on 1 February 2008 - 12:44pm.I have recently been charged with organizing dance hosts for the USA Dance Los Angeles Chapter dances. Here is what I wrote in a recent newsletter to potential dance hosts:
Do I have a Degree in Dance?
Submitted by somebody on 21 January 2008 - 3:22pm.Someone on YouTube asked if I had a degree in dance. I wrote this as a response, but YouTube only allows 500 characters in comments, so I decided to paste my response here.
Question: You broke it down nicely! What's your background? Do you have a degree in dance? Again, very well done!
Cuban Motion in Pointsietta Choreography
Submitted by somebody on 7 January 2008 - 6:37am.In the introduction to the Pointsietta Bolero/Rumba Choreography, the question was asked about the techique that should be used for the "cuban motion". I hesitated to answer that for a couple of reasons:
"Swing" Music at the US Swing Open?
Submitted by somebody on 28 November 2007 - 2:11am.Originally posted in rec.arts.dance:
After having read some of the latest new topics, I sort of didn't want to post this because it just seems like piling on. Running something as big and diverse as the US Swing Open has to be a difficult job spread across a lot of talented and dedicated folks. You're going to forget some things, overlook others, and probably irritate a large number of people. So, I'm writing this as something to put on the list to think about for next year's Open.
Dancing With The Stars
Submitted by somebody on 2 October 2007 - 10:38am.I'll admit that I am not as big a fan of this show as I was a couple years ago. I basically Tivo the program and fast forward to the good dances. I could care less about the back stories.
Chester, Fumi, Roz, Nora and myself are performing tonigh at the AfricaDance Opening Ceremonies . Roz, Nora and I are dancing a routine to Fumi's "Aids Song" (http://www.myspace.com/fumistrums2 )
You Got This?
Submitted by somebody on 26 September 2007 - 2:32pm.Every Sunday they have Salsa on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica: http://www.centralavedance.com/node/3285
Occassionally on Sundays, they also have Argentine Tango there: http://www.centralavedance.com/node/2990
Africa's First Salsa Congress: A Wasted Opportunity?
Submitted by somebody on 25 September 2007 - 1:13pm.Check this out...it is taken from a link advertising an upcoming Salsa Congress in Africa!
"Organising a Salsa Congress is never easy, but organising one in Africa is always going to present some unique opportunities to combine salsa and tourism. It is also going to present some unique salsa backdrops. Nigeria is most likely the birthplace of the clave and is the home of the Yoruba people. Nigeria is also the place from where the Ifa religion (Orishas) originates."
A Tango With Robert Farris Thompson
Submitted by somebody on 17 September 2007 - 1:27pm.on Afropop Worldwide
Tango and Milonga: A close relationship
Submitted by somebody on 15 January 2007 - 3:29pm.Darnell, of all people, sent this to me. Very interesting article from the Latin American Folk Institute about the history of Tango and Milonga -- and the influence of African slaves on both.
http://www.lafi.org/magazine/articles/tango.html
One Man's Paradise is Another Man's Hell
Submitted by somebody on 14 January 2007 - 2:36pm.This is in response to Darnell's blog: "Paradise Found".
Someone's Dad Sings Tango
Submitted by somebody on 4 January 2007 - 12:28pm.I saw this on YouTube. Fantastic! It's why I love the dance and the music so much. Just had to share!
Tony says his Friday spot isn't "click-ish"
Submitted by somebody on 28 September 2006 - 4:36pm.Below is the e-mail I just received from Tony El Pana about his Friday nights @ Ariake. The reason I'm blogging this is because cliquishness is, I think, an important issue. The fact is that no matter how good a Salsa dancer you are, there are Salsa clubs you can go to where people will shun you simply because they've never seen you or you don't *look* like a good dancer.
Class serves up side of salsa dancing - Using dance to feel good about yourself.
Submitted by somebody on 23 September 2006 - 10:35am.Using Salsa to feel good about yourself. That's a novel concept. Good thing this guy isn't in L.A. Actually, I've found dance to be very good for a lot of psychological inhibitions, shyness being the biggest (for me). I wouldn't say that Salsa is an activity that makes me feel good about myself. In my case, dancing in general makes me feel good period. The key is not to get caught up in the rudeness, egos and general lack of etiquette we have discussed here... Always remember that dancing, any dancing, is supposed to be fun.
