SwInG dAnCe

After reading this recent article in the New York Times about this decade's swing dance revival happening around New York City, I was reminded of one of the greatest (swing) dance scenes in film--the backstage swing dance party in the film Hellzapoppin' from 1941.  It's a very entertaining movie, featuring one scene in particular that will knock your bobby-socks off.

This incredible scene showcases some of the most vivacious, exhilarating, and virtuosic partnering that, in my experience, makes every viewer want to get up and dance.  I can watch this clip over and over again and continue to feel excited.  I love partnering in any style of dance and this clip really feeds into those kinesthetic feelings of trust and generosity that is required when dancing with a partner.

Hands On/Off

This piece was my final for my group choreography class this past semester at Mills College.  In celebration of finishing my first semester of graduate school, and the stressful nature of the end of the semester, I wanted to create something that was fun and that dealt with things I love.  I started with the music--Otis Redding, Betty Harris, and Shirley Ellis--these are three of my favorite artists in one of my favorite musical genres, soul music of the 1950s and 1960s.  This work was also created out of the love I have for the people I dance with, specifically in this work, Jeanette Male, Elizabeth Morales, and Judene Small.  We had a lot of fun creating this and I hope you enjoy it.  Unfortunately the lighting was pretty low and at times it is difficult to see details.