My company decided to have a picnic outside all day Monday. Since then, my brain has sort of shut down. I stare drooling at air conditioners. I lie around humming the theme song to "Sanford and Son." I forget to write Jam cellar emails.
This week, DJ Glenn Scales. And tonight, the second week of Don't try this at home.
New Blood Night Next Tuesday!
People new to Jam Cellar get in for free. People who bring new people to Jam Cellar get in for free. Free super-beginner lesson at 9 p.m.
Jam Cellar "Bootlegger's Ball" June 24
This is a special speak-easy night in the spirit of the roaring twenties. Wear your best 1920s clothes, dust off your finest pencil-thin mustache, and disillusion yourself that your carefree extravagant lifestyle will never have any costly repercussions. Listen for the secret password. Also, we'll have a SHIM SHAM class for all dancers in place of our beginner lesson.
Beginning Lindy Hop starts July 1
Invite your new dancer friends to learn the Lindy Hop from the basic step and up in this six-seek course.
*If you received a blank email earlier today, we apologize. Our web server reset some important settings without notifying us, and it caused some malfunctions. *
Today marks the day…
…the French Philosopher-Theologian Abelard was condemned for heresy, which was what all the cool kids were doing in the 12th century. He was also castrated in his sleep by the uncle of his student and lover, as well you know.***
To mark this occasion, all those coming to Jam Cellar tonight will debate on the conflict of realism versus nominalism, and Andy Reid will make castration puns all night. Also, DJ Allen Kerrwill condemn everyone to heresy. A wonderful, beautiful heresy, where Chick Webb plays drums.
It also marks the last Jam Cellar before the Big Big Event, where the Russ Wilson Orchestra will take the stage alongside The Boilermaker Jazz Band. Incredible instructors, incredible out-of-town guests, incredible music. The last day to register is tomorrow.
Here's what's happening tonight:
Don't Try This At Home Starts Tonight!
Our four-week series on the art of throwing women starts tonight, with special guest instructors Kenneth and Helena from Sweden! Partners only! 8:30 p.m.
New Blood Night June 17
Bring a newbie and you and your newb get in free. Or come to Jam Cellar if you've never been before, and you'll get in free! Then join the next Beginning Lindy Hop series starting July 1
Speakeasy Night June 24
Usher in the next depression with our Speakeasy Night June 24. We'll have a Jack-and-Jill contest, a bar in the back, and the foreboding and intoxicating air of a callously-indulgent prosperity without consequences. But, more importantly, a bar in the back. Dress for the 1920s. Call everyone "Old Sport." Listen to announcements at Jam Cellar for the secret password.
*** Abelard was famous for his great debate tactics, and used them to win the heart of his fourteen-year-old student Heloise ("So, Heloise, you ever, like, think about God?"). She got pregnant and they secretly married. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding lead Heloise's uncle to castrate Abelard in his sleep. This, ironically, ended his chances of promotion in the Medieval church. Heloise became a nun, which all the girlfriends of bad-boys were doing in those days. Abelard became a monk, but continued to teach and was many years later tried in Rome for treason for preaching philosophies that questioned unswerving faith. However, Abelard, always the incredible debater, died before the trial. He is supposedly buried next to Heloise in Paris.
No excuses. Time to work off those tofu burgers and all that whey bacon. What? You used real meat? Do you have any idea how many calories are in that? And Glucotomosic Inhibitors? Well, time to get back on that horse. Here's your new workout regiment.
First off, ride your bike tonight to Jam Cellar, or put it on your shoulders and run with it if you want to show extreme. And go up the big hill as fast as you can. Either way, you'll get a free water bottle . Don't forget your recovery drink. Second, dance all night to DJ Kate Hedin who will regulate your heart rate between relaxed and pumpin'. Wear a monitor. Then do three sets of each:
31 Flavors Workout
Tonight, Bobby and Kate will take you through the final variations for the 31 Flavors series, where we'll do 31 reps of 31 swing exercises. Walk ins welcome. Run-ins, carrying bikes, even more so.
Don't Try This At Home Workout
Beginning next week, get crazy with four weeks of aerials, drops, pops, and whops. This exercise regiment includes picking up women, crunches, pulls-ups, core-work, and putting down women. First week taught by personal Swedish trainers Kenneth and Helena. I know it burns.
Big Big Event two-day workout series June 6-8
We've got personal trainers from across the country coming in, showing you how to flex your core swing muscles. Plus, three nights of live music and incredible DJs. Also, if you can house an out-of-town guest, and let them uses your home equipment, please let us know at huh@thejamcellar.com, and at www.SwingOutDC.com You'll want to be there, or else everyone else is suddenly going to be ripped except for you. And swing-dance bathing suit season is coming up.
New Blood Night Ripper June 17
Invite friends for an introductory trial period to try out Jam Cellar X, our 52-week extreme swing dance workout. They'll get in free if they've never been before. And if you bring 'em, you'll get in free, too. And if you can bench-press them, we'll give you $6.
We have a new edition of the JC Almanac, but before we get to it; here's all the important upcoming Jam Cellar info you need.
Tomorrow night's DJ: Luke, the turntable duke.
Big Big Event only three weeks away
Peter, Ramona, Mike, Casey, Chad, Midori, Russ Wilson Orchestra, Boilermaker Jazz band, Solomon Douglas Orchestra, couples strictly, Peabody contest, and possibly Leonardo Dicaprio. www.thebigbigevent.com. Presented in cooperation with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture, Inc., the National Park Service and Montgomery County, MD.
31 Flavors Continues
A great class for walk-ins. It is well known that most original 1930s dancers only really did five or six moves. But how did they make such moves look so alive, vibrant, and musical? Why, they could do each of those moves fifty different ways. This series is all about changing up the basics in order to create a more beautiful dance. Enjoy! www.thejamcellar.com.
Don't Try This at Home in June
We'll be doing aerials and trick steps in this 4-week series. The first class will be taught by Swedish Lindy Hop champions Kenneth and Helene. The rest will be taught by the Italian Tumbling Squadron of the Jam Cellar Crew. Hut-Hut! www.thejamcellar.com.
New Blood Night (June 17) and The Shim Sham (June 24).
New Blood night means you get in free if it's your first time to The Jam Cellar. It also means that if you're a Jam Cellar regular, and you bring a newbie by, you get in free, too. Then, Shim Sham the next week. Then, New Beginner series starts July 1.
[Recently, we've brought back the original 1930s publication The Jam Cellar Almanac, the finest swing dance journal of news and scholarly essays from the era, aside perhaps from The Harlem Shout and The SoCal Swivel. We will have a new almanac every few months.]
The Jam Cellar Almanac
Vol. 12, Issue 2
In this issue: news briefs, the modern history of swing, a special opinion column by "That Guy."
NEWS BRIEFS
FEATURE STORY: Fox to pilot sitcom 'Lindy Hop 90210.'
Fox television corporation recently announced its upcoming fall show line-up, the highlight of which is 'Lindy Hop 90210,' a show about modern, young Lindy Hoppers.
The show will focus on the lives of the 'cool kid' clique; all the drama involved with their romantic experiences, their learning about drinking and drugs, and occasionally, their dancing.
"We're talking people cheating on each other, diva fights, personal vendettas, ego-crazed jerks, and basically the self-obsessed popularity contest that high school is all about," said Fox spokesperson Carla Jenkins.
Some have pointed out that the main actors involved are obviously too old to be playing the parts. "Yes, we know the people in 'Lindy Hop 90210′ look older than high school years, some even in their thirties," said producer Michael Grossman. "But as long as they act like they're sixteen, it's believable."
The show, Grossman explains, is expected to help people keep track of fashion trends; "You know, what hairdo is in, what swing-outs should look like, and what kind of belt you should be wearing."
Reviewers, however, are skeptical. "I think other people will get tired of the show pretty quickly," said Damion Thorp, a television reviewer for Parade magazine. "I mean, most of these people only care about themselves. Why would anyone watch that?"
Nina Gilkenson actually 87-year-old woman
Dorry Segev, a Johns Hopkins scientist, has recently proven that swing dancer Nina Gilkenson is not actually the young woman in her twenties previously believed, but is in fact an 87-year-old landlady who lives with cats.
"It makes sense," says roommate Stephanie Nolan. "She knits, wears funny glasses, and binges on casino slots."
Her dance partner, Andy Reid, agreed with the findings. "I think it's the reason she's such a natural dancer, you know? She grew up with that music, in the depression."
Gilkenson was not available for comment, as she was out playing bingo. However, her daughter, Lori, gave us a tour of Gilkenson's 1910 row-house, warning us against sitting in any of the antique chairs.
"If one broke, she would, like, totally flip out and I'd be in deep [expletive.]" she said.
Even those closest to Nina were not shocked by the news.
"What can I say, I dig older women," says boyfriend Michael. "Antiquam Feminam Amo."
Two guys totally take jam circle to the next level by dancing together
A jam at this year's Mid-East Lindy Feast was totally taken to the next level when two guys decided to come out into the jam, rather than the expected boy/girl couple.
"Well, you see, Ron and Deb had just done their Pancake Snatch," explained dancer Chris Stevens, who was one of the males who danced together. "And, like, that just can't be topped, you know? But then I saw Ben, and he had that look in his eyes, and I knew it was on. He was wanting to do a shake-the-change."
"Yeah, we had practiced doing [the aerial] one afternoon for a few minutes," said, fellow Lindy Hopper Ben Scales. "So I felt good about doing it. We knew it was going to be hilarious."
Witnesses report that after several awkward basic moves, the two males totally busted out the move, which inspired a loud burst of applause. The jam reached an anti-climax, however, when two girls then came out and simply did five swing-outs.
Local teacher teaches class on things he needs to work on
Billy Richardson, a local swing dance teacher in Kahoola, Tennessee, will begin teaching three new series in June, based on the criteria that he needs to work on those aspects of his dancing.
"I took a private, and sort of got some good ideas," Richardson said. "I think by the time June comes around I'll have a good handle on them, and will be ready to spread the love."
The courses, which include speed dancing, solo Charleston, and something called 'connection conversation,' will most likely be attended by the scene's small pool of beginner/intermediate dancers.
"Hell yeah I'm going to take Billy's classed," says Mike Zoudekia, who's been dancing since February 2007. "He's the authority around here, and I've seen what he can do. I saw him dance to 'Lindy Hopper's Delight' once, and that song is blazing."
ESSAY:
The Recent History of Lindy Hop
by Robert White
Author's Note: This article was written and published more than a year ago, and though I've re-edited it, it still might seem dated in some areas. It's a little AV exploration of the swing-trends of the last ten years, focused around the top couples of the time, and how the influence of each trend can still be seen on the modern dance floor.
RYAN AND JENNY
In the late 1990s, the most popular swing dance couples for most people were simply the best local east-coast-dance couples that were on your city's dance floor. For those who did enjoy Lindy Hop, the biggest couples were from DC, California, New York, London and Sweden, especially the British dancers Ryan and Jenny, who had taken what Frankie Manning had taught them and combined it with their tap and jazz training to create a polished and exciting Lindy Hop.
(unfortunately, this is the best example of the sort of dancing they did that inspired everyone in that day. I say "unfortunately" because they were forced to do that song by the producers. They usually dance to classic swing music.)
Why it was popular: This sort of dancing, as you can imagine, made everyone very excited to learn Lindy Hop–here was a living couple doing the sort of dancing all the original dancers did in the clips. High flying aerials, lots of Charlestons… it was like the Gap Commercial, only real.
The moves of the day: Side-by-Side Charleston, Tandem Charleston, cross-over Charleston, hand-to-hand Charleston, and lots of swing-outs with big rock steps. Also pecking, boogying, and mini-dips.
Camp of the Day: Beantown
Side effects When Ryan and Jenny danced, they were good enough to dance "big" but still be contained and have exceptional floor craft and leading/following skills. Most of us, however, in trying to imitate them, bounced a lot, took up a ton of room, and did lots of weird, hardly-lead Charleston variations. A lot of choreographed moves involving breakaways or 'skating' were popular. Oh, and we all wore brightly colored clothing and lots of suspenders and hats. Not a few of us picked up on Ryan's fashion of wearing basketball work-out pants to dance in. Shoe of choice: the Blyers, all around. Then Ryan started wearing jazz sneakers, which some took up.
(For a good idea of what we watched, here's a clip from Can't Top The Lindy Hop, a video put together of Frankie Mannings' 80th birthday dance in 1984. Ryan's in the yellow coat, you only see him for a few phrases. However, his jam with Sing from Singapore from that video tape, which is a good two phrases, was one of the most influential moments of modern dance history. I am not making this up.)
At the time, east coast dancers cursed Lindy Hoppers for taking up so much space and kicking everyone. However, that was soon to pass…
ERIK AND SYLVIA
In California, around 1997, a group of dancers started looking at the old clips of the Hollywood movies where primarily young white kids were dancing. (The person often credited with taking Lindy Hop from the Savoy to California in the 1930s was a man named Dean Collins, and he had taught most of these movie dancers.)
In 1997, these modern kids really liked the look and style of the dancing, so they began working to recreate it. The main couple, Erik and Sylvia, soon started competing and really turning heads with their dancing. They wore complete Hollywood vintage styles, and danced smooth lindy which they coined "Hollywood style," and which some people called "Dean Collins style."
(It should be noted that Dean Collins's dancing was not *really* a new idea for modern swing dancers. Sylvia Sykes and her partner Jonathan Bixby learned Lindy from Dean Collins himself, and demonstrated "Dean Collins" style on the 1984 "Can't Top the Lindy Hop" video mentioned above. What it didn't have, however, was two stylish young kids doing it and trying to capture the glamour of the 1940s.)
Here's Eric and Sylvia's winning ALHC routine.
Why it was popular: To dancers at the time, "Hollywood" style seemed smoother with more emphasis on footwork, and had a really cool swing-out called a whip. Dancers really refined their technique and smoothed out their dancing in this time. Also, dancers could indulge their vintage-love by wearing "cooler" clothes than zoot suits. Men wore baggies, sweaters, newsboy caps, striped socks, and girls wore jumpers, wide legged pants, nice skirts, did their hair up with flowers and put on make up. Shoes: white bucks for guys and wedgies for girls. Everyone put suede on their shoes.
The moves of the day: The whip, sugar push, and quick-stop. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Phrase of the day: "Does anyone have any masking tape?"
Camp of the Day: Why, what else? Camp Hollywood.
Side-effects Though Erik and Sylvia had a good pulse and were best friends with "Savoy-style" dancers Ryan and Jenny, people took the new style to an exaggerated degree.
In trying to be smooth, many people lost their "pulse" all together, so a lot of dancers looked bored and unenergetic.
Also, the dancers at that time took the terms "Hollywood style" and "Savoy style" and created a dividing line, making people think the styles were totally different ideas from each other. So people started dancing like they were completely different ideas. Consequently, this created styles of dancing that were a lot more different from each other than the original styles ever were.
Almost all Charlestons were gone. To many, (At least in Atlanta) if you were doing anything other than the (ironically-named) Savoy-kicks Charlestons, you were considered old-fashioned. The whips were pretty and involved tricky leading and following, however, they stifled the amount of stuff follows could do on their swing-outs.
Also, since the original Hollywood dancers only did a few moves in the old clips, people took their vintage-worship to that level and only did a few moves and lots of footwork. Hardly any moves were invented during this time. Until, that is, someone new stepped in…
KEVIN AND CARLA
Kevin and Carla were both greatly-influenced by "Savoy" and "Hollywood Style" before they started working on new moves and doing more "groove" dancing in their Lindy (For instance, Kevin still wears his Hollywood Bucks and Stripey Socks to this day). They also both concentrated a great deal on musicality, showmanship, and competition dancing. The result was a ton of highly-praised and award-winning routines, like this one.
Why it was popular Making up cool turns was back! Flashy moves were back! Tandem Charleston is cool again! Break dancing is allowed! And what's this body-roll thing, that looks neat! And we can be musical! For the guys, the fashion was cargo pants with lots of pockets. For girls, it was wearing pants under their skirts (skants).
The moves of the day: Girls putting their legs out when they turn. Guys putting their legs out when they turned. And squatting to the ground a lot so girls could jump over them. And, of course, the body roll.
The Side-effects: As always, the side effects were merely people taking the goods to an extreme. Many people became, oddly enough, too musical–they had to hit everything in the music all the time with very large hits. "Splanky" was played way too much during this period.
Body rolls were done in great quantity with various degrees of success.
Follows at this time also started doing a ton, which is great, but it was taken to too much of an extreme sometimes, leading to a "she might as well be dancing with a poll" situation on many a dance floor.
Speaking of extremes, it could be said that Kevin and Carla's popularity was itself a sign of an extreme shift from Hollywood style, which people had begun to feel stifled by. And yet, to some dancers, the new style seemed like it was taking Lindy too far away from what turned them onto it in the first place: The original dancers of Harlem. Thus came…
THE "RAW" STYLE
Here, for the first time in many years, it's not just 1 couple that's setting the tone of Lindy Hop. Instead, it's the young dancers who first began dancing in 1998 when Ryan and Jenny's dancing was so popular.
For a good idea of how many good dance couples felt this way, check out this clip:
I'd like to throw out the theory that each trend is started when something is "missing" from the previous trend. In this case, dancers felt that what was missing was the raw emotion of the dance. We had spent so long smoothing things out, calculating how to be musical, and trying to be graceful, that we forgot how and why the original swing dancers did it. They yelled when they swung-out. They loved to kick, throw each other around, and dance fast. They had attitude and the feeling of dancing was more important than trying to look graceful.
Why it was popular: For the reasons above. Also, for those of us who learned Frankie Manning dancing first, it was a chance for us to get back to the specific reason we started dancing. It also started getting people comfortable with dancing to faster music. For social dancing, many people stopped caring about specific dance clothes–jeans, t-shirts. (This doesn't apply to competition dancing or dances where bands perform, where many people dress up in dresses, suits and sport coats in the old Harlem style.) Shoes: aris allens (mostly white) for the guys, white keds for the girls.
The moves: Wide swivels, stretching, and more of a Charleston influence to the lindy hop overall. All the old moves from Ryan and Jenny years, minus cheesy choreography moves. Faster music.
Camp of the Day:ULHS
The Side-effects: When it first came out, some dancers took all traces of grace out of their dancing, leaving them pretty sloppy. Also, sadly, some people took "raw" to mean "I'm so in the moment I don't have to recognize that I just kicked you in the face."
So, where are we now?
In the neat time span of 10 years, we have sort of come full circle. The "Raw style" has now naturally evolved into many individual dance styles.
It'll be interesting to see what trends come next, if a trend does come next. It'll be hard to take swing back any further in time…there's already a Charelston sub-set. Cake-walk and peabody are probably too small and undocumented for a real revival. Things like Soul and Blues offer a change of pace, but will probably remain a small "basement party" genre. Perhaps there will be small revivals of Hollywood style, or Collegiate Shag, but I would be surprised if it was anything near as big as the "Savoy" and the "Hollywood" trends.
What I think is far more likely is that the modern swing dance scene has now gone through the biggest trends it will. Now, just like an artist or craftsperson who gets the big picture then starts working on details, I believe the swing scene now has all its major ingredients, and is going to play with spices and cooking time (weird analogy).
How they mimic the development of a dancer .What's also interesting is how the development of these trends mirrors a very healthy development for a dancer. First comes the passion and big moves. Then comes smoothing out everything and refining technique, then comes the creative aspect. Basically, once you have technique, the finer things are creating, playing with connection, and working on being musical. Then, once all is said and done, you try to capture the original passion you started with. Obviously, this isn't the only way a dancer can develop. However, it is one way, and it's the way the scene as a whole has done it.
For my part, I think it's important that we realize that despite their "style," all of these couples mentioned above share the same traits– they are all graceful, energetic, creative, and amazing performers and teachers. These things never change, no matter what the trend is.
Those of us who been through each "popular trend" in swing have taken something with us from each to make it part of our own personal style. That includes moves, body-control, and fashion.
COLUMN: Who wants to dance with THIS GUY?!?
By Bob Underchuck
Hello ladies. I see you there, all lined up in a row. Sure, you're waiting to dance with a rockstar-but you're gonna need something to pass the time. So? Who wants to dance with this guy?
I remember you. In the rotation, right? I helped you with that one turn that you kept messing up. Don't worry, a lot of girls messed it up; I had to help them, too.
I just join in the classes to help out a little, especially since they didn't ask me to teach this year. But I do teach weekly in Manchester City.
You see, I'm what you call a natural dancer. I go where the spirit moves me. Change with the times. So, that's why if that kickin' Glenn Miller stuff comes on they play so much these days, I'm just as at home as if I'm dancing back in Manchester to Lou Rawls or Billy Joel. So, you see, a natural dancer. That's why I don't wear deodorant.
But don't think I'm not true to my roots. If I'm feeling it, I just might bust out a 'cuddle', and don't be surprised if I throw you into a pretzel. I don't make it look cheesy, though. I figure if Todd Yanacone can bring back old school moves, why can't I? Tandem Charleston came back into fashion, so I just think that as far as the pretzel goes, I'm ahead of my time. So what do you say? You want to finish this tune? Don't worry about the speed. I just taught a speed dancing course back in Winchester. I'll help you out.
What? You can't right now? Problems with your foot? My cousin could probably help with that. He's a specialist in Frankfurt. Seriously, just give me your number and I'll get him in touch with you. No? You sure? Well, okay.
But save me dance later. We'll catch a fast one. And if you're lucky, I might even take you out into the jam circle.
About the Jam Cellar Almanac
The Jam Cellar Almanac and its contents are written and copyright 2008 by Robert White. As long as the writings are attributed to him, they may be republished on forums. Robert White also strongly recommends images of Collin Firth as Mr. Darcy be used as his headshot. To republish in any other capacity, permission must be granted. For suggestions or comments on what YOU would like to see in the almanac, please email huh@thejamcellar.com.
Velcro officially hit the world, as well you know. Many people think Velcro was a creation of NASA, however, it was actually invented by a Swiss engineer named George De Mestral, who took ten years to do so. NASA was simply the first to find it useful, as they were loosing countless work hours to astronauts trying to get their zippers un-stuck in zero gravity.
So, to celebrate, today we will take apart a schedule and put it back together. That's right, some things have changed around here, so check it out:
Tonight!
DJ Naomi Uyama and Week 2 of our 31 flavor series (walk-ins welcome) with Naomi and Andy.
JUNE 3 - Don't Try This At Home (Airsteps and other fun tricks):
— A 2 week series. Kenneth and Helena (from Sweden!) will be teaching some trick steps in this special class you don't want to miss, and the JC crew will do the next one.
JUNE 6-8
The Big Big Event. Jam Cellar's own special weekend workshop. We are almost out of spaces, so sign up fast!
JUNE 17 - New Blood Night
Our infamous New Blood Night. Folks who are new to the Jam Cellar get in for free, and even better - if you bring a newbie you get in free as well! This is your chance to share the love with some of your friends who have wondered why they haven't seen you in the last 6 months. There, like always, will be a free lesson for them to taste the waters.
JUNE 24 - Learn The Shim Sham
And that about does it for the schedule changes ahead. Any questions? huh@thejamcellar.com.
I made this Jam Cellar announcement for you. I hope you like it. It's got dinosaurs.
Dad told me I'd better do better than that, since he has to spend most of his coal mining paycheck for you on Mothers Day. So me and sis and all the others got together to put on the Most Splendiferous Jam Cellar Family Mother's Day Talent Show Ever!!! tonight. For starters, we made a radio show for you! And that scary Mr. Almonte even promised he'd put it on the online! And he and Uncle Mike Marcott are going to play music from it at The Most Happidiest Jam Cellar Family Mother's Day Talent Show Ever!!! tonight. I want to be a shark when I grow up.
Love,
Billy Watson
P.s. — I also got you a Transformer. I hope you like it.
P.s.s.s. See our program for the Most Bestest Fun-Fun Jam Cellar Ninja Family Mother's Day Talent Show Ever!!!
Building Your Basics starts tonight!
Daddy promised he'd get Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kate to teach us how to Lindy Hop , even though daddy says they're nothing but deadbeat musicians. I've never seen them do magic, but it'd be great if they could for the talent show. Anyway, they'll teach beginner Lindy Hop over the next six weeks! ($60 for six weeks, includes dances).
31 Flavors Class starts tonight!
Aunt Naomi and Uncle Bob are going to surprise you with a visit and talk about many different ways to mix-up swing dance fun-damentals. It'll be just like last Christmas when they came to visit, except Uncle Bob won't forget to take his pills and put the dog in the mashed potatos. At least, he promised he wouldn't. ($50 for four weeks, includes dances. For inter/adv dancers.)
Big Big Event June 6-8!
We're also putting together a CIRCUS! complete with Jugglers! Elephants! Dinosaurs! (Peter and Ramona) Trampolines! Clowns! (Mike Faltesek and Casey Schneider) Bands galore! (Russ Wilson Orchestra, Boilermaker Orchestra, Solomon Douglas) Races! (Peabody contest) and spectacular feats of flight! (Strictly Lindy Comp). Sign up!
Jam Cellar Old Timey Radio Programme!
Yehoodi interweb site promised it would play our radio program all month beginning this Thursday! It includes music from everyone in the Jam Cellar family, and lots of silly stuff from Bobby and Luke, who are sometimes almost as funny as Laffy Taffy jokes. Heehee Laffy Taffy. They're funny cause they're true.
We got a lot of announcements today, so I'll keep it short and bland by saying Paul Roth will be tonight's DJ, and Markus and Deonna will be teaching the final hand-dancing class tonight.
Big Big Event
"Seriously, what makes the Big Big Event so big?" I hear this all the time, beside the dance floor, at the Chinese market, in the gym locker-room. Well, we'll tell you. On-site jugglers make it big, magicians make it big big. A strictly-competition makes it big, a late-night peabody dance contest makes it big big. Peter Strom's shoulders make it big, Ramona's sass makes it big big. The Boilermakers and Russ Wilson make it big, but the the fact they will battle each other during a night of NON-STOP live music makes it big big. It's big considering we've invited incredible dancers across the region, it's big big that we're also inviting Leonardo Decaprio, Bette Midler, and the original cast of "You Can't Do That on Television." June 6-8! Early bird registration ends this week! www.thebigbigevent.com.
New Class series: 31 Flavors begins next week!
Next week begins
31 flavors for inter/adv/master dancers and the instructors themselves. This class is all about different styles and variations to the fundamental basics of the dance to keep it interesting. Perfect for those who have done our "building your basics" class series. $50, includes free entrance to dances, a great deal.
Building your basics begins next week
It's time for another installment of
"Building Your Basics," our 6-week class series. Learn all about Lindy Hop, swivels, Charlestons, and the ten or so moves that even the best dancers do 90% of the time. $60, includes free entrance to dances.
The Jam Cellar on Yehoodi
The Jam Cellar has produced a 4-hour radio show for Yehoodi radio's streaming radio show. It includes selections from many of our favorite Jam Cellar DJs, as well as a couple songs from the Hot Club of Jam Cellar, and tons of miscellaneous tomfoolery by your Jam Cellar radio announcer team,
Luke and Bobby. Produced by Jerry Almonte, it will premier on Yehoodi radio May 8.
SWM seeks part-time love affair with a job
I know this has little to do with what's happening at Jam Cellar, but it seemed like an opportunity to reach a lot of people, and ultimately make my writing and teaching work with the Jam Cellar better in the long run. A semi-professional swing dance teacher and writer (me) is looking for a flexible part-time job. I currently hold a 40-hour-per week job with excellent employee reviews. I can write copy (not just humorous) for web, press releases, and marketing, I am a published journalist, and am well-versed in being a personal assistant if you are looking for one. I'm also tall and can change light bulbs. If you know of anything, please write huh@thejamcellar.com and they'll forward it to me, Robert "Bobby" White. Also, I've written a humorous novel, in case you have any connections to any literary agents, publishers, or novelists I can talk to. I think that about does it for today's begging. Thank you.
Everyone at the jam cellar tonight will dance with 100% recycled moves. And it won't be easy, since DJ Kevin Crandell will be spinning, and he inspires. Speaking of which, here's some recycled Jam Cellar announcements.
Tonight, HAND DANCING (week 1 of 2)
The final part of our Roots and Offshoots series will start tonight with a two-week series on hand dancing taught by some of the best in the world… hands…. down? Markus and Deonna.
Next Intermediate Series: 31 flavors
Starting May 6, we've got 31 flavors, a special class for inter/adv dancers on variations to all of Lindy Hop. If you feel like you're stuck in a box, this class will get you out. Bring boxes to class.
Big Big Event
Registration is open for the Big Big Event. You don't want to miss Mike and Casey, you can't miss Peter and Ramona, and we all miss Chad and Midori, who taught here last year. Also, the kickin'est band line-up we've ever had.
And don't forget, there are many ways you can help make the environment better, including riding a bike to work, recycling your office paper and plastic bottles, planting trees, sending strongly worded letters to "the man," confronting "the man" in hand-to-hand combat, winning, honoring "the mans" tribal burial customs and sticking him under the tree you planted, consoling "the man's" wife in her desperation, marrying her, raising "the man's" children ("Chescott" and Blaine"), slowly getting her to see the error of her first husband's wasteful ways, and finally getting her to run for president on an environmental platform, which by then should hopefully be easy to do, assuming you can still breath with the plastic 6-pack rings that we'll keep swimming into when the polar ice caps melt.
We have a new special feature here at JC central, but before we get to it; heres all the important upcoming Jam Cellar info you need.
Tonight's DJ: Frank the Magician. You may not see him, but hell be there.
Blue Sky Five this Friday
Surprise! The kicking band will be playing at Glenn Echo park 9 to 12 Friday, and, as always, a free lesson at 8 p.m. Part of the Jam Cellar 2008 Concert Series. $13. Presented in cooperation with the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts & Culture, Inc., the National Park Service and Montgomery County, MD.
Roots and Offshoots Week 3
Tonight, Heidi Schultz will do another night of tap dancing. Her class last week was a big success, and this week she'll start over with new material. Bring shoes if you got em. Walk-ins welcome. Next week begins the final section of our series as world-famous hand-dancers Marcus and Deonna teach a 2-week hand dancing class.
The Big Big Event
Dont forget, registration is now open at early-bird prices for this years Big Big Event. Weve got national-level teachers Peter and Ramona, Mike F. and Casey, and Chad and Midori teaching, and an incredible band line-up involving Russ Wilson, The Boilermakers, and the Soloman Douglas Swingtet. The big music AND the big teachers, thats what makes it Big Big. www.thebigbigevent.com.
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[In remembering that we have a blog , we've decided to bring back the original 1930s publication The Jam Cellar Almanac, the finest swing dance journal of news and scholarly essays from the era, aside perhaps from The Harlem Shout and The SoCal Swivel. We will have a new almanac every few months. (Don't worry, not every week.)]
The Jam Cellar Almanac
Vol. 12 Issue 1
IN THIS ISSUE: News briefs, an essay on Al Minns, swing definitions, and private lesson advice.
NEWS BRIEFS
Inspirational Old-Timer Dancer actually Dirty Old Man
After a long two-hour conversation with Billy Legsy Walters, 89, an original jitterbug in the 1930s, aspiring dancer Jeff McCauley, 24, realized that the inspirational dancer was not much more than a dirty old man.
McAuley met Legsy at the Friday night dance at this years Western National Lindy Fest, where Legsy was an honorary guest.
Sure, I expected him to be a little uncouth, McCauley said. I mean, he was a sailor in World War II, afterall. But when I asked him what his greatest memory was of dancing back in the day, he just smiled and said it was the time he was shooting a film and got to dance with Rita Hayworth.
After the camera moved away," Legsy was reported as saying, "I planted one right on lips her before she had a chance to get away. Boy, I tell you, she had legs up to her neck. I had to take three cold showers after that.
I didnt understand, McCauley told reporters. I mean, this guy invented thirty or forty dance steps. He traveled the world and performed for kings and queens. He grew up in the renaissance of Jazz. How could his greatest memory be molesting a celebrity?
The elderly man showed even more of his tactless personality when Tiffany Jackson, 25, asked Legsy for a dance.
He asked if we could do Balboa, Jackson said, and I agreed. Halfway through the dance he stops and tells me that if Im going to do bal right, I have to be pushed against him so hard that onlookers should see two bumps pop out of his back.
Im never dancing with an old timer again. she added.
Once Legsy had rejoined McCauley on the side lines, he reportedly told the young dancer that Jackson moves pretty good for a big girl. Tiffany Jackson is 137 pounds.
Witnesses say McCauley finished his conversation with the old-timer by asking Legsy which modern dancer most resembled his style. Legsy quickly named Andy Reid.
The way he dances, he could be my son. In fact, he is my son, but dont him that. Legsy reportedly said. Witnesses say he then slapped McCauleys leg and laughed heartily.
I think he drinks whiskey for breakfast. McAuley concluded.
***Anecdotes based on actual quotes from original swing-era dancers.
Peter Strom adopted; discovers black parents
Professional Lindy Hopper Peter Strom recently discovered that not only was he adopted by the Strom family of Minnesota as an infant, but that his parents are actually Tom and Devona James of Minneapolis, an African-American family with strong Nordic ancestry.
Were just happy to finally know what happened to little Bomani, says Tom James, who named his son with the traditional African name, which means 'warrior.' It is truly a joyous day.
While an infant, Strom was in the back seat of the James car when it was carjacked. Little Peter was randomly left on the Strom family doorstep three days later, along with three prince albums and a purple pacifier.
Rockstar surprised she doesnt get work when she acts like a rockstar
Jennifer Allens, an advanced dancer and teacher from Utah, recently questioned if she wasnt getting the teaching gigs she hoped for because of her tendency to make difficult contract demands, appear drunk at dance gigs, and throw televisions out of hotel windows.
We had her teach [at West-Coast Lindy Jam] last year, but almost every comment card we got said she was terrible. She showed up unprepared to class, she made jokes instead of taught moves, and she turned down dancing with anyone except instructors because of her lower-back problems. This was right before she competed in the aerials-only endurance contest.
Allens first noticed her attitude might be a problem when she questioned one organizer about why he didnt hire her. Well, first he said because you ask questions like that Allens told reporters. Then he said that if I didnt know, then I should reevaluate my life. I wondered if he meant my attitude.
Nah, she concluded. He probably just meant I need to win more competitions.
Dancer who wants to be Skye 1/25 there
Five-year veteran swing dancer Robert Cowles of Connecticut is now 1/25 on the way to dancing exactly like Skye Humphries after two years of hard work. In August of 2006, Cowles was feeling like he had no identity in his dancing when he saw Skye and Frida compete at ULHS. At that moment Cowles decided he would gear his dancing towards the passionate and unique Humphries, arguably one of the best modern Lindy Hoppers in the world.
I thought it was pretty sad, says peer dancer and friend George-Michael Bluth. Until he beat me at the North East Jam Championships. Then I realized Im the sad one if a guy dancing badly like Skye is a better dancer than me dancing like me. Ive got a lot of work to do.
However, many in the scene think that Cowles hopes are harmless. I think George-Michael is just bitter. Robert [Cowles] doesnt look like Skye at all; he just looks like himself with wiggling.
ESSAY: Al Minns: A Dancer's Dancer
by Robert White
Todays essay is an introduction to Whiteys Lindy Hopper Al Minns. The essay also mentions Frankie Manning and Leon James Als friends and fellow dancers. Id like to reinforce that in no way am I suggesting that Leon James and Frankie Manning arent worth studying. They are without a doubt two of the greatest Lindy Hoppers of all time, for different reasons than Al Minns. This essay is simply meant to point out why Al Minns is a name we remember, too, and why its completely deserved.
First, a little history; and sadly, thats all we have about Al Minnsa little.*
He was born Jan. 1 in 1920 and died in 1985. As one of the youngest dancers in the Whiteys Lindy Hoppers, he quickly excelled to the top team, headed by Frankie Manning. He wasnt, however, one of the four asked to do the famous choreography for the film Hellzapoppin. When one of the couples repeatedly blew off practices, Frankie replaced them with Al Minns and Willa Mae Ricker. Lets watch it: (Al and Willa Mae are the third couple).
At one point, Frankie Manning realized that Als unique strength as a dancer was his long legs. He helped Al develop his jam for Hellzapoppin, which, as you can see, is completely geared towards showing off Al Minns legs and the powerful lines he makes. Even his high-wasted waiter coat is perfect for elongating his lines.
Whats equally impressive is that Al is arguably the best technical dancer in Hellzapoppin. He and Frankie are obviously the best leaders in the choreography, but whereas Frankies movements seem to have a lot of muscle behind them, Al appears to use his body more, making for cleaner and more relaxed dancing. The amount of control he has at 300+ bpm is incredible.
If youd like to see the Hellzapoppin routine danced a little slower, check out the clip Hot Chocolates (AKA Cottontail,). I couldnt find a good one on YouTube but its pretty easy to find from classic clips collection. (A special note: Check out Al Minnss head-bob at the beginning. Hes the one with the collar that goes to his abs.)
World War II more or less stopped the professional career of most of the Whiteys. Dancing still continued at the Savoy, and Al, Leon, Frankie and others were filmed for The Spirit Moves, an independent film that chronicled hours of jazz dance at the Savoy. Theres a lot of great Al Minns dancing in it, including great clips of the Tranky Doo, Al and Leons Shim Sham, and some blues jams that are incredible. Heres a little sample of Al Minns Charleston dancing in it:
The next we hear of Al, its the 1960s, and hes teamed up with his good friend and fellow Whiteys Lindy Hopper Leon James to help historian Marshall Stearns, an extremely white guy with a pretty wicked pencil-mustache whos researching Jazz dance for a book hes writing. Being pranksters, they make up a bunch of stories about gangs and fights among the Savoy dancers, which Stearns recorded and published as bible writ, probably thinking that gang warfare could only help sales.
Little did Al and Leon know that Stearnss book would become the definitive word on jazz dance history, and would be almost impossible to correct. To this day, Frankie Manning and others have written passionate letters to the books publisher to have these facts corrected for future printings, to no effect. (It should also be noted that in Stearnss book, Al and Leon took credit for a lot of the deeds that most sources attribute to Frankie Manningincluding the invention of the first air steps. However, in reading the passages, it is my opinion that it was not done out of malice to Frankie, but simply a different memory of events.)
Anyway, Al and Leon went on tours with Marshall Stearns — did the daytime talk show route, as it were — and were lucky enough to have several of their demonstrations on film. The most popular example is from a failed television talk show produced by Playboywhich was basically all the articles of Playboy with none of the focus on gynecology (I wonder why it failed).
In a sea of comically 60s pipe-smoking crusty-whiteness and bunny cocktail waitresses, the two out-of-place men from Harlem perform some of the finest solo jazz dancing on film as they take viewers on a tour of jazz dance history from the Charleston to the Bee-bop era:
(In tracking down the clip on you tube, I found only this over-dubbed project from Peter Loggins, which is meant to demonstrate how little has changed about the spirit of African-American-based dance since the 30s. So thats why the music is modern.)
What makes this so incredible? The original Lindy Hoppers in their younger years tended to pull off energy really well, and in their older years, subtlety. At this stage in their dancing, Al and Leon are middle-aged and seem to have the best of both worlds; they are clearly energetic and silly, but every motion is full of years of experience and refinement. When you watch them dance, Leon is easy to pin right away. The attention-grabbing hands, the exaggerated facial expression, the lazy movements. Al Minns, however, has nothing that sticks out more than anything elsehes a full-body dancer who covers all the bases. Just as a really-solid, good swing-out is a work of dance art, so is almost every step that Al Minns does in this presentation.
Almost every Lindy Hopper today knows that Frankie Manning was rediscovered in the 80s after years of retirement and started teaching Lindy again. What most dancers dont know is that Al Minns was rediscovered around the same time as Frankie Manning, and in 1984 was teaching the Swedish Lindy Hop scene everything he remembered about performance and social Lindy Hop. Until that point, the Swedes only had a few clips to break down. Hes part of the reason the Swedish dancers became so good at Whiteys-styled performances. (For a look at a modern dancer inspired by Al Minns style, check out Swedish dancer David Dalmo in the Rhythym Hot Shots Cant Top The Lindy Hop performance. Hes in the black pants, puffy shirt and baggy hat.)
To conclude this essay, theres nothing better than listening to the man himself. Heres an interview Al did for Swedish television around that time:
And another
And, yet another interview, including footage from the Spirit Moves:
There are many clips of Al Minns dancing, most of which are from the Marshall Stearns television show tours or The Spirit Moves (Hes on the left side in the Tranky Doo Spirit oves clip). Also, there are clips of him dancing and teaching the Swedes in the 1980s, in one of which he wears a shirt that says Americans like beer. These are probably easily gotten from your local swing clip collector, assuming they are dead and it can be pried from their rigamortised hands.
Al Minns. Enjoy some today.
Some Helpful Swing Terms and Definitions
Jamticipation: (noun) (1)The feeling of standing in a circle with twenty other people clapping and yelling when no one looks like they'll be going out into the jam circle any time soon. Not as prevalent these days as a few years back. A new definition is therefore offered: (2) The act of waiting to go into the circle while Slick McCharleston and partner eat up two choruses of music for their a-musical aerial choreography.
Passive e-Gression: Term used in forum posting. Relates to the use of emotocons to make statements seem like innocent jokes that are really malicious stabs at people.
Blinders Referring to the act of blindfolding horses to lead them through fire, Blinders is the act of walking through a crowd of dancers swiftly with steady gaze and with the sort of serious intent commonly associated with brain surgeons, so as not to get asked to dance.
Floorgasmic: (adj) Pleasure risen by the perfect feel of a good dance floor. This definition by Nima Farsinajad of Atlanta.
Clock: (noun) A beginner follow that, no matter how hard a leader tries, only turns one way.
INTERMEDIATES CORNER: Getting the most out of your privates
Here are a few tips for taking private lessons to help you get the most out of them.
Actually take privates. We all have problems in our dancing that random classes wont ever cover. You need personal attention to highlight your own issues within the dance.
At workshop weekends, book your private when you get your ticket to the workshop. Contact the teacher you want to take a private from as soon as possible.
Local instructors can be a great source. On the one hand, not every local teacher knows what theyre talking about. On the other hand, if theyre a significantly better dancer than you and they teach, they probably know why.
Have questions prepared before hand. Dont make instructors confront the existential question of How can we fix my dancing? They probably just woke-up at 9 a.m. to teach a class and havent had their morning cigarettes and beer yet and are going to be so out-of-it that theyll simply choose the closest problem at hand and talk about it for thirty minutes. Have specific questions. If youre going to only have one private for the next six months, try to cover as many important bases as you can, comfortably. Have them prioritized and start with the first on your list (But, at the same time, allow your instructor to offer different priorities for your dancing). If youre going to do regular weekly privates, allow yourself to concentrate on just one or two bases and spend time really refining them. And, its usually great to start off with having them clean up your basics, assuming you like the way they do theirs.
Take notes. Heres the real trick: take the time to take GOOD notes. Dont just scribble bigger on 5 and hop back into your lesson. A week later, youll wonder what the hell you were talking about. If something clicks enough for you to write it down, make sure you describe what move it is youre talking about, what other keywords the instructor uses (i.e. smaller guys right hand holds girls left smooth, not bouncy You know, like the smell of baby lotion.) and counts.
Know how to steer your teacher. Most of us swing dance teachers are like cats a lot of us like to wonder and stray, keep talking and repeat ourselves, and like to hide behind refrigerators. First, make sure were not repeating ourselves because you keep doing it wrong. Then, keep a track of your time and move on if things get too redundant. Some teachers try very hard to keep track of your privatewe watch the time, we tell you when its a good time to move on, we dont talk for twenty minutes when two will do. But not all of us. Its your private, and you dont want to waste money on wasted time.
Videotape the teachers doing what theyre talking about. And, if you get something right, videotape yourself doing it. You now have a reference when you go back and practice.
Dear God, practice. After a private, set aside time as soon as possible in the next few days to practice the private material over and over and over. The goal is to get it in your muscle memory so you dont have to think about it when you dance. Also, a private will probably take a few weeks, or easily months, to digest. Its like southern cooking that way.
If you can afford it, weekly privates are excellent. Its personal trainer style. If you like the way your local instructors teach, discuss doing weekly privates. They will probably give you deals, and help you map out some goals.
And now for a few Donts.
Dont take a private right before a competition. For a competition, you need to be confident, have fun, and know what your bodys doing. A private lesson, if its done right, will take you out of your comfort zone and leave you concentrating on things to work on. You will then cease to be confident and know what your bodys doing, and quite possibly will cease to have fun. Plus, it will just make you more nervous when the person you just took a private from is judging you.
Dont take a bunch of privates in a row from a bunch of different instructors. Unless you want to be confused and broke. Think of your swing instructors like doctors that charge more by the hour. If youre sick, you usually go to one doctor, try out the medicine they prescribe, and if it doesnt work, go to another doctor for a different opinion. If you just went to 12 doctors at once, youd come away with five different prescriptions and twelve different health ailments. The important thing here is that medicine sometimes takes awhile to work, and bodys rarely react well to a ton of different medicine all at once.
Dont say Hey, Nick Williams does this move, can you show it to me?
What this says, whether intended or not, is I wanted to have a private with Nick Williams, but instead I got you. If youre looking for feedback on a move you learned from another teacher, just show them the move and get feedback. A lot of instructors have seen each others signature moves dozens of times, and if they havent, its easy to say its something Nick Williams taught, but Im not getting something right. For instance, I seem to keep breaking her arm on 5. If you know your instructor knows how to do a move other instructors teach, then just ask them generallyIve seen some dancers do this move that looks something like this. Can you show me how to do it? You might get something new you never saw or thought of before.
About the Jam Cellar Almanac
The Jam Cellar Almanac and its contents are written and copyright 2008 by Robert White. As long as the writings are attributed to him, they may be republished on forums. Robert White also strongly recommends images of Johnny Depp be used as his headshot. To republish in any other capacity, permission must be granted. For suggestions or comments, please email huh@thejamcellar.com.
… at the late night of an exchange where, all of a sudden, for the time span of three songs, you are the greatest dancer that ever lived. Taste it again tonight, at the Post-DCLX Jam Cellar hangover dance. The Hair of the Dog, DJ Betsy kipperman, will revive our spirits. Plus, you don't want to miss TAP with Heidi Schultz tonight.
Also…
Roots and Offshoots (week 2 of 5)
Tonight, Heidi Schultz''s first part of her 2-week tap class. Drop-ins welcome. (Heidi has taught 5 out of 7 Jam Cellar organizers how to tap.) Her hair style cannot be tamed, so don't even try it.
Bobby and Kate's Glen Echo classes (week 2 out of 4)
Thursdays at Glen Echo this month, Bobby and Kate are teaching a Balboa Buffet class (9 p.m.) followed by an "Everything an Inter/Adv Lindy Hopper should know" class (10 p.m.). Drop-ins welcome. www.bobbykate.com
