Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Camp Hollywood schedule

Posted because people have been saying that they can't get the main schedule on www.camphollywood.net to load. It's going to be a killer weekend and I haven't even read the schedule.

FRIDAY, JULY 31
10 – 11am
Marcus & Baerbl – Lindy Basics (Beginner Track)
Ben & Sheri – Permutations of Lindy (Intermediate Track)
Kevin & Emily – Flash & Trash from Around the World (Advanced)
Jeremy & Laura – Jammin’ Combos (Masters)
Joel & Alison – Texas Tommy (All Levels)

11:15am – 12:15pm
David & Kim – Lindy Basics II (Beginner Track)
Mike & Casey – Whole Body Dancing (Intermediate Track)
Max & Annie – Advanced Aerials *partner required (Advanced)
Marcus & Baerbl – Fast Lindy Routine (Masters)
Kevin & Emily – Bad Technique is Not a Style (All Levels)

Lunch Break 12:15 – 1pm Lunch buffet near ballroom

1-2pm
David & Kim – Charleston for Lindy (Beginner Track)
Mike & Casey – Swing Out Intensive (Intermediate Track)
Kevin & Emily – Power Moves (Advanced)
Max & Annie – Connection (Masters)
Marcus & Baerbl – Finding Your Center (All Levels)

2:15-3:15pm
Marcus & Baerbl – Mixing 6s & 8s (Beginner Track)
David & Kim – Charleston for Lindy Int. (Intermediate Track)
Mike & Casey – What Would Al & Leon Do? (Advanced)
Joel & Alison – Put the Stank on it (Masters)
Ben & Sheri – Competition Class (All Levels)

CONTEST SCHEDULE
4:00 - 5:00 - Pro Lindy Prelim
5:00 - 6:00 - Am Lindy Prelim
6:00 - 6:30 - Balboa Prelim
6:30 - 6:45 - Shag Prelim
During Friday night dance: Shag Final, Balboa Final


SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
10 – 11am
Mike & Casey – Footwork Variations (Beginner Track)
David & Kim – Redirection Connection (Intermediate Track)
Max & Annie – Charleston Variations (Advanced)
Jeremy & Laura – Getting Crazy with the Footwork - Shag (Masters)
Marcus & Baerbl – Footwork Workout (All Levels)

11:15 – 12:15pm
Joel & Alison – Balboa Basics (Beginner Track)
David & Kim – Hot Off the Griddle *partner required (Intermediate Track)
Mike & Casey – Lindy Routine (Advanced)
Max & Annie – Masters’ Aerials (Masters)
Kevin & Emily – Al & Leon Shim Sham (All Levels)

1-2pm
Kevin & Emily – Spins & Turns (Beginner Track)
Joel & Alison – Smooth Combos - Balboa (Intermediate Track)
Marcus & Baerbl – Crazy Footwork for Shag (Advanced)
Max & Annie – Slip Slop Shim Sham (Masters)
Jonathan – Live Music Theory (All Levels)

2:15-3:15pm
Ben & Sheri – Slides (Beginner Track)
David & Kim – Letting it all Hang Out (Intermediate Track)
Joel & Alison – The Kitchen Sink - Balboa (Advanced)
Kevin & Emily – Fancy Footwork (Masters)
Mike & Casey – One Man Dance (All Levels)

CONTEST SCHEDULE
4:00 - 4:30 - Advanced J&J Prelim
4:30 - 5:30 - Am J&J Prelim
5:30 - 6:30 - Showcase
During Saturday night dance: Team Division, Pro Lindy Final


SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
11:15am – 12:15pm
Joel & Alison – Lindy Classics (Beginner Track)
Ben & Sheri – Sweetheart Moves (Intermediate Track)
Kevin & Emily – Fast Lindy (Advanced)
Max & Annie – Slides Variations (Masters)
Mike & Casey – Partnered Black Bottom (All Levels)

Lunch Break 12:15 – 1pm Lunch buffet near ballroom

1-2pm
Mike & Casey – All Flash, No Trash (Beginner Track)
David & Kim – Shag (Intermediate Track)
Max & Annie – Crazy Footwork Variations (Advanced)
Jeremy & Laura – The Balboa Genius – Getting In-sync-ocpated (Masters)
Joel & Alison – Big Apple I (All Levels)

2:15-3:15pm
Marcus & Baerbl – Shag Basics (Beginner Track)
Jeremy & Laura – Smooth style Lindy Dean & Jewels Secrets (Intermediate Track)
Max & Annie – Technique (Advanced)
Kevin & Emily – How to Lead & Follow Rhythms & Syncopations (Masters)
Joel & Alison – Big Apple II (All Levels)

CONTEST SCHEDULE
4:00 - 4:30 - Am J&J Final
4:30 - 5:00 - Adv J&J Final
5:00 - 5:30 - Am Lindy Final
6:00 - Awards
During Sunday night dance: Intergenerational Jitterbug Contest

The Winterlit Charleston Underground



I don't know any of these performers, but eff it. Just dance wherever you can. There are no excuses.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Jazz Jam



Alice has been talking about doing a solo jazz class for a while. Seems like a great idea. Here's a great clip of examples. Watching this, I'd recommend focusing on one dancer and viewing it three times.

The clip features Jo Hoffberg, Juan Ignacio Villafane and Bobby Bonsey. The winner was Juan Ignacio Villafane, who I believe was wearing the black t-shirt.

Badass

Sunday, July 19, 2009

All the Cats Join in!



We've spent the last few weeks going over basics in the Lindy Hop. Last week we took some time to address the mechanics used in tuck turns. This week I'd like to return to faster swingout technique and the fall whip.

In the meantime, here's a classic clip from the Disney film Make Mine Music. Aren't you lucky you don't have to dig these clips from the archives of random video stores?

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Standards

Before class last week, I was considering the standards for considering oneself able to dance Lindy Hop at a proficient level. When we understand these elements, we should be able to improve upon them.

Perhaps being able to do a number of swingouts in a row might be a good marker. It takes solid technique to repeat 4-8 swingouts in succession. To me, this sounds like more of a measuring stick than an actual standard.

However, it's more than just doing swingouts.
Connection: There's too much to say about connection in the time that I have. At least one should consider how much they are connecting with their partners in the most mechanical and efficient way possible. Keep in mind the pain factor: if you cannot tell whether your partner is feeling pain, you might want to take a look. That's a really great yardstick.

Timing: If the swingouts are off-timed, not keeping up with or racing ahead of the music then you've got a problem. At the most basic level, one should be able to keep those eight-counts happening every 8 counts. When one becomes more proficient, varying tempos should be no problem.

Stamina: How much can you keep up with the faster songs?

These notes are pretty general. I'm sure you can come up with more. Any ideas?