"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.

Playing Dress up in Kiev

Swinglandia 2008 Theme Party - Traditional



Swinglandia 2007 Theme Party - Africa

Day One - Sweden

Today was a fulfilling day.

Kev and I got to sleep in until 11am (and we went to bed early last night) and it was soooooooooo nice. We have cute little beds that are nice and warm and rather conducive to a good night sleep, might I add.
I got up and showered and Kev got to his emails. After a bit, we realized that we were hungry, so we took ourselves to the restaurant we ate at last night and ordered the lunch special. Kev had a pizza (again) and then I ordered a Greek Salad, which I thought had meat on it. I was unpleasantly surprised to find that it was just like the salad they had at the “salad bar” thing, but with olives, feta cheese, and lots of onions. Now if you know me, you know that I don’t like uncooked onions at all. They taste bad and they make me smelly.

I digress.

Lunch was nice, but we still hankered for more. We headed down the street a little ways more and bought some goodies at the local grocery store before we had hustled back home to prepare for training.

Jane drove us to the studio and her card didn’t work so we couldn’t get in. Kev and I danced around for about 45 minutes before someone showed up and let us in. We realized how out of shape we were after our 20 minutes cardio session, but we prevailed. And to top it off, we did a fast Charleston song to push ourselves even though we were tired. I am so glad we did that, but MAN and I out of shape.
And then we worked on choreography. We have some good stuff, but we need to start stringing our ideas together.

Jane came and grabbed us around 5:15pm so that we had some time at home before the dance. I read through emails while Kevin napped and then we showered quick-quick and got ready for dinner and dancing.

The dinner was serve-yourself style and was nice and basic. Ooh, and there was a rhubarb cobbler for dessert. It was a tad tart, but still nice. Kevo and I danced a bunch, took some pictures and recorded some video of the evening, saw a performance, attended the teacher’s meeting, and headed home. We are getting up a little before 8am tomorrow, and we had classes to plan, so we figured it was best to head home early. And now it is almost 1am!

I am going to shower and then head to bed.

Goodnight!

Goals for the Three Weeks

Work on our fast dancing – increase our endurance
Put together some mini-routines – hopefully 5
Finish our routine

Learn some jazz off of some of the videos I have
Work on Flash
Go through video collection – edit/pair down
Strengthening and conditioning

Create/polish Charleston routine
Work on girl routine
Work on the Big Apple (new version)

The Three Week Adventure Begins

Yesterday (or today really; I haven’t slept yet) Kevin and I left for our trip to Sweden and it was off to a great start, until I realized that I forgot my jacket and gloves! Total amateur hour! How could I, Miss I-am-cold-all-the-time, forget my jacket when I am going to Northern Europe and the Easter Block? Oh yeah, that’s right….because it was hot in Pittsburgh when I left!

Well, there has been lots of flying since that discover and still no new jacket in sight. At PIT I tried to find a jacket and couldn’t; at DTW I tried again and found a sweatshirt (I have one of those already, btw) for $120 which is WAY too pricey; and here at AMS I have found some sweatshirt things, but they are in Euros and I just cringe at the thought at how much it will really cost me.

The flight from DTW to AMS was pretty easy. I watched a movie and then watched some dance clips on my iPod and now I am pumped to dance! And guess what?! I have 4 hours until my next flight, so realistically, I have the time to dance before I take off for Sweden.

I didn’t sleep on that flight. I think it was the fact that I was thinking about dancing, choreography and all the things I want to accomplish, or I could chalk it up to the fact the seats were uncomfortable. Highlight of the flight: Kevo stopped by a Japanese restaurant before we left DTW and bought some sushi (which I got a bite of) and a bean cake for me. Delish!! He’s so thoughtful!!!

Currently, Kev and I are sitting in the internet area typing away at emails. After we write a bunch we are going to hop online, send these guys, upload the new ones, sign off, write some more, sign back on, and do it all again.

Last thing (this is amusing/ironic for me). I don’t like to check luggage because I feel wherever you go (unless you are moving), you shouldn’t have to check luggage. This trip required that Kevin and I check our heavy and oversized luggage and I was betting that my luggage would be delayed because that would make life even better (forgetting the jacket SUCKS, but having my luggage go missing on top of that would super suck). Yet it isn’t my luggage that will be delayed; it’s Kevin’s! It’s sad to hear, but oh so ironic.

More later. Cheers.

Rugcutter Aerial Workshop

We did not expect such a wonderful turnout. I think we had something like 29 couples for our first class and the number stayed rather steady the whole day!

The Schedule:

Dips & Trick: 1:30-2:45 PM
Lift and Jumps: 3:00-4:15 PM
Lindy Hop Aerials: 4:30 – 5:45 PM

Dips and Tricks did not require partners because we intended the moves to be socially leadable. In it, we taught "The Jeremy", a lunge, and the Ninjammerz Dip.

"The Jeremy" named after Jeremy Otth and was inspired by a move he did at the US Swing Dance Open this past year. We weren't entirely sure it was the move he did, but it was our interpretation of it. But we particularly enjoy the move because it's rather similar to one that was popularized during the Neo-Swing revival. Next was the lunge which is a move Kevin and I often use during our social dancing and choreography. We felt like it would be good for our students to know because it's in their current Rugcutter Routine. Finally, we taught the Ninjammerz Dip, which is the final move of the Ninjammerz routine.

We then moved on to Lifts and Jumps where we required people to have partners. We taught technique on how to prep aerials, how to base, and how to land. We started the class with a climbing exercise we call the Monkey because the follow must climb around their base (normally the lead) without touching the floor. This is a challenging exercise in slippery pants. We taught the Frog, the A-Frame (or Russian), and the Liu Kang (a bicycle kick throw-out). I think most people enjoyed the last one.

In our final class we taught a pancake. We walked the students through the technique for the prep and the actual aerial. Many of the students went through the aerial all the way!

We were so proud of all the students who came to the workshop. Every arrived ready to laugh and learn and to push themselves. We were very impressed and thrilled that everyone was so receptive to our humor! One of my favorite moments was when we started doing the "meatball prep" which is where I hold a V-position (looks like Downward Dog if you do yoga) and Kevin was pretending like he was skiing over my butt (picture him in a crouch position and I am under his legs). But of course, I didn't know this until I was told after classes.

So the long of the short of it is:

• We love our Pittsburgh lindy hoppers
• We love laughing with them
• We love teaching them
• Kevin and I are VERY funny
• I love working with Kevin

If you have any photos or videos, can you send them to me?

Lindy Leap Year - Sunday

What an extraordinary way to end a workshop. Today was a day like no other.

We started our teaching day with the warm-up we normally do at home. We run around in a circle, then kick our heels up, kick our knees up, do the elephant, and then crab walks. As we were running, students started to join in (we love those sorts of students). As we cycled through, finally we got to crab walks - this is where you look like table top; hand and feet are touching the floor, and you are looking - and all of a sudden, a Crab War broke out! Kev scuttled around the floor as if he was a crustacean! He knocked my feet out from underneath me and then continued to attack the other students. One by one they all went down. However, a few students got their crab legs underneath them and went 2-on-1 with King Crab Kevin. One went for the legs while the other went for his hands. Kevin pulled out his best Sammy Davis Jr (check the end of the clip), avoided the take down, and then ATTACKED again! It was a momentous occasion.

Round 2 - Lunch Special:


Our first two Charleston classes went really well. We taught the yo-yo, a syncopated yo-yo, Charleston Jumps, and then trucks (or skates). Next we had two aerial classes (more of a tricks, then an aerial) where we did a climbing exercise I like to call "the Monkey and her Tree", a Frog (where we explained prep, jump, and landing technique), the Lu-Kang (a trip that turns into a throw; named after a Mortal Combat character), and then we did the Fly (a favorite of ours). Finally, we finished off with a Blues Class.

Highlights of the day:

• Crab Wars
• Randomly singing "The Good Ship Lollipop" and then having Kevin turn it into being attacked by pirates, which I then turned to our favorite pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow. Oh Johnny Depp.
• Telling the students they could only have the doors open for a few minutes, and after a bit I said that the window had to be closed now....and it was. I wondered if my "wishing" powers would extend beyond closing doors, and so I wished for Johnny Depp. Unfortunately he was a no-show.
• After aerials, we did a cool down and then some of the boys started to work out. At one point, they were all standing on their heads (on a towel). Sommer sees this and joined the fun. She was standing on her head and moving her legs about. She is a total yoga star and the boys had NOTHING on her.
• After aerials, I thought we were done. I was wrong.
• Kevin on his soap box: He told the room that girls like to dance and learn how to move their bodies at a young age. Boys learn how to throw, hit, kick, and catch (stereotypically). Girls dance and they want boys to dance. Not only that, but they want them to lead as well. Boys don't always know how to control their bodies, but they need to learn to control theirs in order to control someone else. It. Was. Awesome.

What a wonderful way to end the weekend. The students were stellar and came ready to learn. Wow-e-wow-wow.

Lindy Leap Year - Saturday

What a stellar day of classes!!

We started the day off with 2 beginning classes, and they were packed! I think there was something like 120 students in each of them. It was incredible. And they all learned something, which was even more incredible. We worked on connecting to your partner from open and closed position, how to change weight across the body, how to lead rock steps from open and close, and how to lead triple steps. There were more nuances in there, but that is a general overview.

The class was very receptive to our humor and that really revved us up. Nothing gets us going more than having a group of enthusiastic students who want to learn, are receptive to the information, and are ready to laugh with us.

We then moved to The Great Hall, and it was just beautiful. And on a side note, the John Hopkins Campus is just divine! There is red brick and green grass and street lights, and little paths leading off yonder.....uh! Just great! Anyways....the Great Hall has a Great Window and a very slick floor. It wasn't as big as the room we were in for the beginner classes, but still sizable. Our third class of the day was Flash & Trash (named after our DVDs), followed by a routines class.

Highlights of the day:

• During the beginner class, while trying to explain what to visualize while leading a triple step, we did the motions and asked the class what it looked like. Normally we get something along the lines of a "W"; however, this time someone shouted out that it looked like a lowercase omega. Kevin and I were so surprised by the brilliance of the answer (notice I didn't say it was right or wrong), that Kevin conceded and then moved on.
  
• During Flash & Trash, I received more questions that I have ever gotten during a workshop. I took the first couple and then Kevin tried to step in, but the question was for me!!!!! This is huge, because most often the girls don't ask a lot of question, but everything was asked! Footwork review, timing, leading (the leads should have asked about this), was it a variation, how did we know, weight distribution, etc. In hindsight, this leads me to believe that I also must not have taught very well, otherwise these questions wouldn't have been asked. Hmmmm......
• During the routines class, I was showing the girls the timing on a forward swing out with kicks on 7 & 1. I didn't tell Kevin that I wanted to do the next swing out, so he assumed that we were going to stop on 1 like we had been doing. I, however, made the assumption that Kevin would "just know" what I wanted and then I went for it. Because the floor was slippery, I wasn't in sticky shoes, and I didn't inform Kevin about what I was doing, I totally bailed. I was on the floor! It happened so slowly too, but I couldn't stop it. Then I was on the floor, Kevin couldn't help me, and then I started wiggling around in order for me to try and make my fall into something graceful. Needless to say, I tried, but not much else happened. I used this as a lesson to show that the leads should not stop to watch a variation, but continue to lead through to the next move.

After classes we headed home and then took one car to sushi. And it was great sushi too. We ordered so much sushi that a sizable boat arrived with our dinner! I used almost all of the Japanese I remembered in order to get some special service (and impress Dorry and Sommer) and only ONE person responded to my "Sumimasen" yelp. As I later found out, only one person spoke Japanese there. After eating more than necessary, we headed back home, got into our performance clothes and then headed to the dance that night.

Almost minutes after arriving at the dance, Kev and I got ready to do a social performance. We performed live to Sac au Lait, who were just phenomenal, and Dorry sang Dinah with them. We had such a fun time performing with them, even when they sped up the tempo on us. And Dorry's voice was amazing as always!

A few hours later we were ready to head home and get into bed. We could hardly wait for the fun that was in store for us on Sunday.

Sucess in Baltimore

Friday

The original plan was to leisurely get up, briefly review over our class material, and then go to the Museum of Art and see the sites. However, this is not at all what happened. I woke up, but not leisurely (thank you cell phone and iPod going off at 7 am!!! And that was totally my fault), and we didn't briefly run over our material or see a museum, or see Baltimore. But no point crying over spilled milk!

Actually, the day was very successful. Kevin and I had a good warm-up, we ran through our class material and routine, and then had some great lunch at Py (a fabulous pizza joint). After that, we came back and did 2 half privates, and then got ready for the dance.

Dorry and Sommer headed out early and Kev and I took naps before the dance. This meant that we then had to drive ourselves to John Hopkins University. We made it to the campus just fine, but we had NO idea where to park. After taking in an unexpected view of the campus, we finally found a spot near a meter. Then we realized we didn't know what building it was in!

After wandering around, we found the Great Hall. The Boilermakers Jazz Band were playing and they were ON that night. Their sound and energy was great! Not to mention, the very lovely Naomi Uyama was there singing with the band. Even more fabulous was that Dorry & Sommer hired Naomi to teach the beginner lesson before the dance. Apparently this had never happened before. Word to event director who hire the Boilermakers: If Naomi is singing with them, you are SILLY to not hire her to teach your beginning lesson. For goodness sake, she is already there!!

So anyways.....Kev and I did some social dancing and then we pumped ourselves up for our performance. This would be the um-teenth time we would have done our "Swingin at the Cotton Club Routine", but we were still nervous. I don't worry about forgetting the choreography because my body will remember it as well as Kev will always lead it...but I was worried that I wouldn't have the stamina to get through it. It's not terribly long, but it's fast.

The performance went well and we were very pleased with it, however we were so tired afterwards that we headed home so that we could get into bed early. Fortunately or unfortunately Sommer and Dorry came home before we went to bed and then cooked us late-night breakfast. It was soooooooooooo good. Yum yum.

And then it was bed time.

New Years Eve

For New Years, Kevin and I spent our time in Boston at New Year's Dancing Eve, which was a cross-over event (meaning Lindy Hop and West Coast).

Joe and Kathey Mahoney put on a wonderful event. The contest ran smoothly, the award show/dinner show was awesome, and people danced the night away on New Years.

Some highlights:

During the dinner show, Arjay Centeno danced with his partner Melissa Rutz and Deborah Szekely, another superstar in the West Coast scene, did the best 3 person dance I have ever seen. Check it out here. Just watch it; it was amazing. I have a better appreciation for West Coast after this dance and am more amazed that one man could do so much!

On Saturday night I did pickle shots up in somebody's hotel room. I don't know who's suite it was, but I was invited it, pickles were cute, and about 20 of us grabbed a chilled shot of vodka, threw it back, and then munched on the pickle. I'll be honest, if you don't try this, you aren't missing anything.

I turned 24 that weekend. And someone remembered. And Kevin made sure I had a birthday cake and that I got sung to. It was the simplest, yet most fulfilling birthday ever.

I almost missed my flight back home because I hit snooze, or so I thought. It would have been the first plane I have ever missed in 10 years of traveling (that would have been due to me). Luckily Davis Thurber was kind enough to drive me to the airport.

Kevin and I got to close out the dinner show on New Years Eve.

I got to hang out with a couple named Dorry and Sommer from Baltimore, MA. They are some of the coolest, down-to-earth, funny, and brilliant people I know. If you don't know them, search them out and let them know that you found them on my recommendation.

Happy New Years!

And to all my friends, I wrote you notes and mailed them. Yes, mailed them. Not email, but mailed them. I don't know if you will get them though....perhaps there wasn't enough postage on them, or because they didn't have a sealant on them (and subsequently taped them), in which case I am betting the Post won't be merry or jolly enough to just send them. More to come on this.

Hop to the Beat - our workshop in Boston

So here is the run down of what was scheduled:

Both Kevin and Emily are stars on the social dance floor, in competitions and as performers. They are excited for this opportunity to share their talents and have put together a fabulous line-up of classes for all levels of experience. You won't want to miss this chance to learn some new moves, refine your skills and be inspired by this very creative and dynamic couple!

Rounding out the weekend will be our monthly dance, Uptown Swing, on Saturday, December 1 in Brookline. Features of the evening will include dancing to Shawn Hershey and the Fried Bananas and a dance performance with Kevin and Emily.

http://www.hoptothebeat.com/kevin_emily.html

Saturday, December 1, 2007
  Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

    A. 12:30-1:45pm Lindy Hop Fundamentals
       Starting at the beginning, Kevin & Emily style. For beginners and anyone wanting to review or refine basics.       (no partner or experience needed)
    B. 2:00-3:15pm Existential Funk? Buy a New Suit
       Going beyond the basics, a connection intensive.       (no partner needed, all levels)
    C. 3:30-4:30pm Take A Spin
       Variations, spinning, dynamic frame.       (intermediate+, previous experience required)
    D. 4:45-5:45pm Strut Your Stuff
       Styling for leaders and followers.   (intermediate+, previous experience required)

Saturday, December 1, 2007
  Brookline Tai Chi, 1615 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
    8:30pm-Midnight Uptown Swing Dance Club
                    Beginners welcome, no partner needed
                    Admission $15 ($10 with Student ID
                    Beginner Lesson (8:30-9:00pm)
                    Band: Shawn Hershey and the Fried Bananas
                    Dance Exhibition: Kevin St. Laurent & Emily Hoffberg


Sunday, December 2, 2007
  Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

    E. 12:30-1:45pm Victory in Boston
       Sweet as the cream pie from the city it's named after - a Jazz routine.   (non-partner, int/adv, but all levels welcome)
    F. 2:00-3:00pm Afternoon Delight
       Rubbing sticks and stones together make sparks ignite: Blues.  (no partner needed, int & int/adv, previous experience required)
    G. 3:15-4:30pm Cirque du So-LAME? Flashy, Flighty Moves
       Jam material to keep the crowd kickin'.       (no partner needed, int/adv, previous experience required)
    H. 4:45-6:00pm We ARE Lindy Hop - Fire & Ice
       A Lindy routine to heat things up and cool 'em down.   (partner required, int/adv & adv, previous experience required)

Our New DVDs!!!!

Each aerial is taught step-by-step using progressive exercises and drills with an emphasis on safety. Since all aerials are shown from various angles, we suggest repetitive viewing in conjunction with a video player that allows for frame-by-frame slow motion. The aerials are organized in two sets of three. Each set gets progressively more difficult while building on the same foundation of technique.



Become a better, faster dancer through superior technique, drills and exciting moves. Hop on the Dance Express and learn to keep your frame supple and dynamic while still using counter balance. An all levels video for beginner, intermediate and advanced Lindy Hoppers.







Whether you’re new to Lindy Hop or a veteran of the social, competitive or performance floor, this video will provide material and inspiration. Please use these moves and ideas as a springboard for your own creativity as well as the movement as a base for matching and expressing the music in your own personal way.