Chrystal Lee is amaaazing
Cute short video about Swing Out Sydney (via dogpossum4real)
I did get rather sad when one of them said “well, this scene is very inclusive” - seems we need to try harder to make everyone feel welcome. At the most basic level and not even considering issues of heteronormativity in dance teaching, leading & following etc., I’ve heard quite a few lindy hoppers say some pretty homophobic shit. Cut it out.
Anonymous asked: I love swing dancing, but I have a terrible tendency to back-lead, which kinda hinders my ability to learn and get better. How can I fix this?
I think it’s really hard, and we all do it to some extent, so don’t feel bad! And it can be fun if you use it consciously and in the right amounts (hijacking etc.).
A good thing to try would be to dance with your eyes closed. Preferably somewhere with lots of space, and with a lead you trust not to lead you into something or someone. Obviously there is a lot of visual communication between lead and follow in a regular social dance, too, but it will force you to trust what you are feeling. Try to remember how that feels and apply it to the rest of your dancing.
Another thing you could try would be to pick up a dance that pretty much lacks patterns from the start, like Blues or Argentine Tango. You don’t have to become amazing at it, but picking up the basics and then dancing with experienced leaders will definitely help you become more aware of backleading.
Also, if you go to a big event that has late nights and loads of social dancing, by the end of the weekend or late at night you’ll probably have lost the brain power to anticipate, and you’ll just go with the flow (that’s what happens to me, anyway).
ETA: Also, if you really struggle with following, you could always change your role and learn how to lead instead, if that role plays to your particular strenghts more!
Good luck!
Okay, this is ridiculously fun!
So here’s something I’m discovered about Shorty Georges.
I always thought mine looked kind of “flat”, even if I did the pulling-up-of-shoulders and arms. What I’ve discovered now is that I like them much better if I pull up the entire side of my upper body instead of just the shoulder, so I feel a stretch diagonally through my core. It looks much more dynamic and interesting, I think.
Find a mirror, give it a go (if you don’t already do them that way) and see if it works for you!
If you weren’t aware, Sarah and Dax are doing a trial-run of their swing90x online programme at the moment, and you can read the participants’ blogs!
What makes this particularly interesting is that you’ve probably danced with some of the participants or seen them around (considering how small our community is), or maybe you’ve taken workshops from some of them or seen them on youtube (Ali & Katja, Dan Newsome). Super interesting to see what their struggles are!
Epic swing geekery ahoy…
BARSWINGONA 2012, SKYE and NAOMI (by MIRAswing)
Skye and Naomi = magic!
KLHC 2012 Lindy Hop Classic 1st place winner 안단테 & 김태연 (Heechang Jang & Taeyeon Kim) at KLHC (Korean Lindy Hop Championships) 2012 with CSI (CampSwingIt) 2012
I basically disagree completely with the person who reblogged this first - sure, it may not be the most technically amazing routine, but it’s got so much joy and personality to it. Koreans got it going on.
Sealions dance the swing - Seaworld 3/31/12 (by claudiacalvetful)
more animals lindy hoppin.
(via yehoodi)
