"How do I become a professional lindy hopper?"

I am often asked this question when I teach at events in the US, and it’s often by the people who I would least expect.

I really enjoy being asked this question, but I don’t really know how to field it. I can recount my experience about how I started, what I spent my time doing, and skills I wish I had picked up along the way, but I don’t know that if someone had the same experience that it would mean they could become a professional lindy hopper.

Whatever. This is what I tend to say; the content is serious, but it's said semi-sarcastically (as most of the things I say are):

- LEARN as much technique ASAP so that when practicing, you are building “good” muscle memory vs. “not as good” muscle memory

- SOCIAL DANCE a lot

- TRAVEL to dance. I cannot stress that enough - if want want to go pro, you need to travel. There is so much great dancing going on and you should be there in the thick of it. Get out there!! (Don't forget to enroll in a Frequent Flyer Program - I like Skyteam, but have membership with United Airlines as well. If you want to go pro, assume you're globe trotting on a regular basis)

- TECHNIQUE - keep working on your basics. Technique, technique, technique!!!

- CREATE - choreography. Learn to choreograph quickly and work with your strengths. This helps if you want to do a showcase or classic, or are putting jam material together.

- COMPETE - people/judges need to familiarize themselves with you by seeing you. Familiarity breeds attraction, so get familiar!!

- CROSS-TRAIN - protect your tool (your body). Just dancing every day isn't going to keep you in shape the way cross training will. Lift weights, run on an elliptical, stretch, do pilates, P90x (and look like this), or whatever, but do something other than lindy, charleston, and aerials to keep your body in shape.

- GO VIRAL and get your stuff on Youtube. It’s a fabulous tool to get you and your name out there. And make sure you label your videos properly; if you have the greatest clip in the universe but people can’t find it, it won’t matter much.

- POSSE - get a group together so you travel in a pack. Show up places together and throw down!

- COSTUMES - find something you (and your posse) can wear that will represent you. Find you signature style (i.e. Ninjammerz - all black, white shoes, white tie, white belt)

- acquire a NOVEL SKILL - if you and that group of friends of yours decided you want to put on a show, you’ll need “Spacer Skills”. This is a skill that (hopefully) requires less energy, can be done in a variety of costumes, and creates a breather for the audience. A perfect example: Fatima from the Harlem Hot Shots, creating rhythms while brushing her teeth.

- BODY MOVEMENT - is uber important! Take other dance classes, check yourself in a mirror, dance solo, learn to point your toes, do whatever, but do it!

- TEACH - people will most likely want to learn from you, so figure out what you are doing, and start teaching. Learn to teach, and then people can fly you out places so that you can influence and inspire their scene.

- COMPUTER SKILLS - having web skills will greatly help you out. Get a website together (or blog), keep it current, post videos, learn to edit music, etc

- DANCE - dance with people, lots of people, and have fun!!!!

So yeah, I say something along those lines when I am asked. So all you out there who want to go pro, look at the list every day, then go practice, buy some keds to dance in, and rock it Jack Black Style.

ILHC 2008 - Showcase - Kevin and me

Here you go!!!

Highlights of ILHC

This was the most well run event I have ever attended. The people at the registration desk were very quick, efficient, and nice, as well at the people over seeing the competition side of things (thank you Tony and Aurelie). When there was an issue, things were resolved there on the spot, instead of having to deal with more people than necessary. There was no bullshit. It was lovely.

Competitions ran on time. I think there was one competition we ran a tad behind on, but only by 10 minutes or so. It was amazing - I've never seen lindy hoppers be so punctual! The dance floor was great, the hotel rooms were nice, and there was lots of food within a 3 minute walk from the hotel. Fucking sweet. And let's not forget the music: it was great all weekend long and the sound was nice and full. I applaud everyone who made that event as wonderful as it was.

Ok, now to the juicy stuff, and in no particular order:

The Junior Division
I cried. I totally cried. The first couple came out and I lost it when Derrick did the first move. While watching Derrick and Sioban, it finally struck me why children are truly such little treasures: they mean the future. There is a possibility that if a child learns something, then that "something" has a chance to be past down. Derrick and Sioban mean there is a future for lindy hop. I think everyone shed a tear while they were dancing; I don't know if it was for the same reasons, but nonetheless, we were all moved by them. Here they are:



The Solo Charleston Division

One name, two words: Marty Klempner.
One color, and a five piece outfit: a red zoot suit.
One dance, twelve dancers: the Big Apple.
Now watch:



One word: Truckin'.


I have to give props to Max and Annie as well. I give them "The Best Use of Props in a Showcase" award, hands down. Dax threw Max a hat in the middle of the routine, then Annie does the Flying Lotus and takes the hat from Max, whereby placing it on her head, and then Max steals it back. All done in one shot. They didn't even need a back-up plan! Check it out:



Finally, I must give mad props to Stefan and Bethany. They are such an inspiration and they thrown down. They never compromise their style, and the just DANCE. They are my movement heros (and will appropriately be at Inspiration Weekend this Labor Day): Just watch them:



Otherwise, I am super proud of me and Kev doing two brand new routines in about 2 weeks. We've never done that before, so it's a first for us. At some point we are hoping to see our showcase, so if you see it first, send me a link to it! Oh yeah, and I took 2nd in the Charleston contest and I have been out of the solo dancing loop for some time now. I give myself 2 pats on the back.

ILHC Competition Results

Champions Lindy:
1 - Nick Williams & Carla Heiney
2 - Max Pitruzezlla & Annie Trudeau
3 - Jeremy Otth & Laura Keat

Open Lindy Strictly:
1 - Juan Villafane & Sharon Davis
2 - Jamie Cameron & Crista Seipp
3 - Carl Nelson & Joanna Lucero

Showcase:
1 - Max Pitruzzella & Annie Trudeau
2 - Nick William s& Laura Keat
3 - Kevin St. Laurent & Emily Hoffberg
4 - Stefan and Bethany

Classic:
1 - Zack Richard & Carla Heiney
2 - Dax Hock & Alice Mei
3 - Kevin St. Laurent & Emily Hoffberg

Invitational J&J:
1 - Max Pitruzzella & Bethany Powell
2 - Todd Yannacone & Annie Trudeau
3 - Dax Hock & Marie Mattsson

Advanced J&J:
1 - Stephen Jean & Laura Glaess
2 - Jamie Cameron & Crista Seipp
3 - Mike Roberts & Kate Hedin

Team:
1 - Northern Lights
2 - Team Canada
3 - Hot Mess

Solo Charleston:
1 - Hurley (from FL)
2 - Emily Hoffberg
3 - Juan Villafane

Pro-Am:
1 - Lee Tucker & Kelly Arsenault
2 - Andrew Thigpen & Emily Hoffberg
3 - Abigail Browning & Nick Williams

Juniors:
1 - Ian Herrick & Ellie Hanus
2 - Derrick Summerville & Sioban Tompkins
3 - Catalino Lopez & Sasha Cross

Cabaret:
1 - Kelly Arsenault
2 - Rockstep Brothers (Kevin St. Laurent & Juan Villafane)
3 - Lady with the Fan (Sharon Davis)