Inauguration Day 2013, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
The empty wine glass,
chocolates unwrapped,
dirty dishes,
sleeping cat
Falling eyelids,
aching legs:
day fully savored to the dregs.
Outside the rattling wind portends
the coming cold, the battles to be fought.
But today – Inauguration Day 2013 – a moment
to soak in, to drink up, to pause, to celebrate
how far we’ve come.
The sweet taste of liberty & justice,
flowing wider and wider,
The mighty river of history carrying
us – as we steer the course – to and through
the storms – to the Dream.
Interlude: Crêpes and Coffee
Delicious mocha from the ill-fated café
We all need a coffee break from time to time, a few minutes to relax, recharge our brains, and come back to work feeling more awake. About six months ago, I decided I needed a coffee break longer than 15 minutes.
I was working in a position that, while in the nonprofit sector with a wonderful organization, was not exactly a perfect fit with my broader career experience and objectives. It was time for a break to reflect and reconsider what I wanted to do, while doing something completely different. And what better place for extended reflection than my new neighborhood café?
But rather than simply parking myself at a table for a few hours (or months), I began working at my corner crêpe restaurant and coffee shop, serving customers, making food and lattés, dicing tomatoes, and cleaning up after closing.
The perks were many: free bottomless espresso drinks, discounted specialty food, free meals at work, decadent leftover baked goods, and, my favorite, an extremely short walk of just a couple block around the corner. I grew to recognize more faces in my neighborhood, to feel more closely connected to the immediate area where I lived after years of Metro-ing across town for work.
Of course, nearly every job has its downsides. The pay in the service industry is generally less than that of “professional” work, though the micro-commute and free food/coffee helped cover some of the difference. The lack of benefits like paid vacation or paid sick days or health insurance, the physical nature of the job – I could write an entire lengthy post on the challenges and need for greater workers’ rights in the restaurant industry.
Surprisingly, though, what was the most challenging was one of the very reasons I wanted a different kind of job in the first place – the non-traditional schedule. I had wanted a greater sense of freedom, time off during the day, maybe part-time hours. The schedule had me working all over the clock, though, (not, thankfully, around the clock, except for a few odd 10-hr shifts), often in the evenings, almost always on weekends, and occasionally at 6 in the morning. It was unpredictable, varying greatly week-to-week and even more month-to-month as staff and needs changed.
Instead of feeling like I had more time, I felt like I had less, with irregular free time and less leisure time during the traditional social hours of evenings and weekends. I had less time for personal pursuits like dance and theatre, less time for strengthening friendships over shared meals. I had come to the conclusion that it was time to return to the Monday through Friday, “9-to-5” world. I was happy, though, that I would be able to conduct my search for my next job while I still had the café job.
And then, the restaurant suddenly closed. For whatever reasons, management decided it should not stay open. There was an outpouring of support from the community expressing sadness, but it was permanently closed.
And now, like too many people I know, I find myself unexpectedly among the ranks of the unemployed. After taking a break to work in a different kind of job for a few months, I’m now looking for a job (or gigs) more in line with my professional experience in the nonprofit sector. (Although, since it went out of business, I guess I was working for a “nonprofit” for the last few months! Hah!)
So check out my new Hire Me page! And I may have a few interesting café stories brewing…
Have you ever worked at a job other than your 9-to-5 for a change of pace or for extra income? Or returned to work or your main career after a brief break? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments!
Accountability: Not as scary as it sounds?
The long path uphill ends in light.
Accountability. Something about this word rings big and scary. It’s slung around in politics as a threat of not being re-elected, of being censured for a misdeed or failure. To “hold someone accountable” often connotes a punishment for a wrong action, or a punishment for not doing something you’re supposed to.
But we’re accountable to and responsible to a lot of people: our selves, our parents and family, our partner (if we’re in a relationship), our boss, coworkers, clients or customers, roommates, friends, pets. That’s a lot of responsibility! It can feel overwhelming to think about all at once.
It’s nice to feel needed or cared about, though, to have someone to be accountable to. Instead of being scared by it, I’ve been trying to think of accountability as a positive check/balance. What it comes down to in some cases, especially with one’s self, is, “Hey, have you done that thing you said you wanted to do yet?” or “Have you done that thing you need to do yet?” For me, holding myself accountable, or, as frustrated as I can get when they do, having a parent, roommate, or friend hold me accountable, serves as a gentle reminder not to procrastinate. (Or not to procrastinate any/much longer, at least.)
My frustration at being reminded or held accountable to do something stems from, obviously, not having done it yet and knowing I need to or want to. Gentle reminders can serve as the kick in the pants to move forward, to move things from the “to-do” list to the “done!” list, which is always rewarding and energizing.
So why do we procrastinate and dislike the idea of too much “accountability?” It’s so much easier to keep browsing Twitter, Facebook, reading that article or book, doing that recreational activity, and not doing the thing we know we need to do. Making ourselves do something requires dipping into our reserves of willpower and self-discipline, even for something we want to do. It’s not as immediate a reward as clicking a link or clinking a drink.
But the satisfaction of, “Look, I did it, Mommy!” doesn’t go away, even for adults, even if you’re not telling Mom everything you’re accomplishing. So remember the reward, the satisfaction, the joy you get from getting something done, from meeting or exceeding someone else’s expectations of you – or your own expectations. Hold yourself accountable to being the best version of your self that you can be, to doing the important things, to seeking a richer reward than temporary distraction. And after you get something done and meet those responsibilities and expectations, reward yourself with a little fun! (Or as Mom always said, “First you work and then you play!“)
30th Birthday! A different kind of celebration of self
There are those milestone birthdays where one is expected to have a large party with as many of your “best” friends as can fit in a single venue, and (if you’re old enough), drink copious amounts of alcohol, or maybe take a big vacation. But my big birthdays have usually been a little different…
I did have a big pool party when I turned 10, Little Mermaid themed. Probably one of my largest birthday parties ever, with about 30 or so little girls from my school.
13, when a pre-teen finally becomes a teenager. I have to think for a moment to remember my 13th birthday…oh right, on the birthday when I was celebrating “growing up,” I excitedly attended the premiere of Disney’s Pocahontas at the fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta.
16? Sweet sixteen (or 15 in some cultures), the age to throw a big fancy party, second only to a wedding in the life of a young woman. I went out to dinner with my parents on my 16th to our favorite local, family-owned restaurant. That was my typical birthday celebration: a celebration of family, with my mom’s birthday being the day after mine, and Father’s Day around that time, too. I remember seeing a rainbow as we were coming home from dinner.
20 was a special birthday for me; I was on a study abroad trip to France. I celebrated the end of my teen years all summer with travel, new-found independence, and moderate amounts of French wine.
21! Finally! Now I could legally drink in the United States! So of course I had a big night on the town…with ice cream, in the dry Mormon college town of Provo, Utah. I was at Brigham Young University for a week-long summer ballroom dance camp, a birthday trip to celebrate one of my passions. My first drink (ok, first legal drink) in the U.S. was a glass of wine at the Salt Lake City airport, kindly bought by a fellow ballroom dancer I had met at the workshop.
The twenties. The doldrums of birthdays. One year rolls ever more rapidly into the next, marked by happy hours, job changes, relationship changes…these soon become the milestones by which you measure your life, instead of that special day on the calendar. “Oh, that was when I worked there;” “That was when I was dating so-and-so.” “What do you do?” becomes the social question of individual definition, instead of the “How old are you?” question that had been so important at the pool as a kid.
So I arrived, all too quickly, at 29. OMG! The last year of my twenties! Start panicking! And I certainly did, for a while. I didn’t like my job, I felt like my career was going nowhere. Relationships were short-lived or not present. Nearly midway through age 29 (already in my 30th year), I began some serious self-reflection. What did I want more of in my life? What did I want to spend less time doing?
In short, those reflections continued for the next six months, instigating and facilitating some major life changes. I changed jobs – changed careers – leaving the non-profit/political/communications/small business world to pursue my passion for the arts: dance, theater, photography. I got back into dancing and performing through some amazing opportunities that appeared at exactly the right time – when I was open to and ready for them. I began working at a café, playing the role of “starving artist,” but with free coffee and food. I started yoga, getting back in touch with my spiritual side, and transformed some long-held bad habits into better, more energizing sleeping and eating patterns.
With my 30th birthday close on the horizon, and my life in transformation, when Mom and Dad asked if I wanted to come home to Georgia for a big family reunion, I was happy to come. When they told me it was on the day of my birthday, I hesitated briefly. What did I want? I thought I had always wanted a big celebration with 50 of my closest friends at a big bar with a big dance floor. Or maybe a house party with about 30 of my friends.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that being with my parents, my aunts and uncles, meeting “long-lost” aunts and uncles and cousins I didn’t even know I had – this seemed more important than a big, alcohol-infused party. It had been about a decade since I celebrated my birthday with my family, and that was the celebrating I remembered the most growing up.
So that was how I came to spend my 30th birthday celebrating with 30 family members. There would be plenty of time for summer revelry back in DC – this family reunion was only for one day, and who knows how many more years we get with our parents and relatives of their generation? (Or with anyone, for that matter.)
Delicious and abundant food was happily eaten. I listened to stories (some I had heard before, and some new) from my uncles and aunts and parents. Wine was drunk. Children were amused and spoiled. Pictures were taken, old pictures happily examined. New connections were made with cousins, and old family ties strengthened. An unforgettable birthday. (Much more memorable than yet another happy hour.)
Sometimes, you want to look to the past, hear stories of who came before you, what was important to your parents and their generation. Sometimes, you need to slow down, to think about and focus on what’s really important to you, and how to spend more energy on that. Reconnecting with family, with my family’s past, I found that I reconnected with myself, in a grander and more authentic celebration of self than anything else I could have possibly planned.
(But you’re still welcome to buy me a belated milestone birthday treat if you’d like!) 😉
Family
Immigration Blogging Archive (or, what I did Fall 2010)
Obligatory, looong-overdue “it’s been a while since I’ve blogged…” post chock full of content. From late September 2010 through mid-December 2010, I had the honor and privilege to work with America’s Voice as their New Media Intern. My first true foray into activist blogging, it was a humbling, educational, and inspiring experience. The amazing people I worked with and the awesome young Dreamers – immigrants and activists fighting for the right to go to school, work, serve in the military, and give back to the country they love and call home – touched me deeply and taught me a lot about passion and perseverance.
The only way to sum up the experience is through some of the words, images, and video I posted during that time, featuring actions and people that left a big impression. Even if you are not interested in immigration as a political issue, even if you’re pretty sure you know where you stand, please, take a look at the articles, stories and images below. These young people are amazing, and continue to push for their dreams.
Most of these posts were edited by the talented Jackie Mahendra, now with Change.org. Huge shout-outs also to Mahwish, Matt, and the rest of the AV staff for their inspiration and support.
December and the DREAM Act: DREAM Act votes, week of action. Many outdoor marches and rallies, despite freezing temperatures.
- Civic Leaders to Senators: We Will Remember Your Vote on DREAM, 12/17/10, co-authored with Jackie Mahendra
- WATCH: DREAM Youth and Military Veterans Rally at U.S. Capitol, 12/15/10, with video of testimony by patriotic youth who are denied the opportunity to serve
- WATCH: Caroling for the DREAM Act and Praying for our Nation’s Conscience, 12/15/10, co-authored with Mahwish Khan, with video by Eric Byler of the Coffee Party and more
- Prominent Faith Leaders Converge for Prayer Summit, “Jericho March” for DREAM Act, 12/14/10, with photo slideshow
- DREAM Act Caroling Procession Sets Stage for Week of Holiday-Themed Calls to Conscience, 12/13/10, with photo slideshow
- Dreams Dashed in Georgia as Board of Regents Bars Students from Several State Colleges, 10/15/10. (Georgia’s war on immigrants really hits home, as I am saddened by my home state’s new anti-immigrant law passed this spring.)
- Find many great DREAM Act resources here on the America’s Voice site to learn more.
The Election and the Latino Vote
- Group’s Ad to Suppress Latino Vote in Nevada Backfires, Former RNC Staffer Threatens to Sue, 10/20/10, co-authored with Jackie Mahendra
- Angle Denies Race-Baiting, Calls Latinos “Asian,” Pulls Disputed Image from Her Ads, 10/18/10, with random pop-culture reference
Congressional testimony and Rallying
- Bloomberg and Murdoch Agree, But Which Way Forward on Immigration Reform?, 10/01/10, with video of Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch testifying on immigration reform, with a different viewpoint than one sees on Fox
- One Nation Rally this Saturday for Immigration Reform, Jobs, Justice, Education, 9/30/10. View photos of the rally here.
About 100 web content mavens met up at the Washington Post’s headquarters on Tuesday, August 17th to learn about options and tips for creating mobile-device-friendly web content at the “Making a Mobile Website” meetup. Due to popular demand, the event will be repeated September 14th. Featured speakers were Cory Lebson of Lebsontech and Jerome Ferrara of NetBiscuits, both mobile solution providers. Jasmine Sante, who organized the event, and John Schmidt of Vaya Mobile also provided insight and discussion. Here are some tips shared by the speakers at the event:
- As with any content discussion, your first question when creating or repurposing content for mobile use should be Who is your first priority audience? FEMA’s mobile website, for example, is directed to people experiencing a disaster looking for relief and preparedness information.
- Think about each component of usability: effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of specified users in specified context of use.
- Keep in mind people are often looking for a quick check of specific, basic information: phone number, address, directions, etc., as opposed to the more extended, casual browsing at a desktop or laptop.
- In addition to the quick check, other users may be looking for interactions optimized for their mobile device, such as videos or games, especially if you are an entertainment provider. This type of content will keep people coming back.
- Simplicity
- Screen resolutions are much smaller and vary widely. Keep content to one column.
- Don’t use tables to lay out content as they can be displayed inconsistently.
- There is great variability of hardware, screen-size, and software used to access the mobile web. Test what your mobile content will look like across a variety of platforms and phone types: iPhone, Android, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Palm, Nokia, and feature phones that include web access. Recruit colleagues, friends, and family who have different devices and have them run through use scenarios.
- Don’t forget about the long tail of users; about 60% of mobile traffic comes from devices that are not the most popular three or four.
- Graphics should be used sparingly and only if they are of high importance or value, such as a logo to maintain consistent branding. Colors tend to wash out outdoors.
- You may want to default to the mobile site for certain devices, but give users the option of the regular site if they prefer.
- Start preparing for the future mobile web now, including bigger screens and faster and more reliable data transfer. By 2014, more people worldwide will be accessing the web from mobile devices than from computers.
In short, the early mobile web bears close resemblance to the early world wide web – lack of standards, inconsistency in hardware and software used to access it, small screen resolution and sometimes slow connections. But we can employ the strategies learned over the past couple decades of traditional web design to make the mobile web just as user-friendly as the modern web.
Contact the individuals or companies who participated for more information on optimizing your corner of the mobile web. What tips, tricks, and tools have you found useful in making your website mobile-friendly?
Movie review: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
When a movie’s tagline is “An epic of epic epicness,”
the question is, will it be an epic fail or epic win?
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is an epic win.
The enticing trailers show Michael Cera playing the likable underdog Scott Pilgrim who must fight the league of seven evil exes to win the girl of his dreams. The movie was like watching a video game and a comic book come to life. Comic book movies are common, but frequently too dark, too violent, too cheesy, or too cartoony.
This movie struck the right note and rocked it. I’m not a big reader of comic books themselves, but I like comic book-based films, and this is the best one I’ve seen in a long time. It was the graphic novel version of a movie, not simply another action flick featuring comic book characters.
I can’t say how faithfully it held to the comic book series, but it was faithful to the comic book style, with shots framed and cut like the panels of a graphic novel and sound effects visualized, in a way that blended seamlessly with the overall film and live action elements. The special effects and fight scenes felt like watching someone play through a live-action video game. I look
forward to playing the video game based on the movie and graphic novels!
Dialogue was snappy and humorous without being over-the-top. All the characters, even supporting characters, were driven by something, making them more realistic and fun to watch. Supporting characters Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin), Pilgrim’s gay roommate, and Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), Pilgrim’s former love interest, might have stolen the spotlight in another film, but here, the entire cast was strong enough that they elevated the whole film. Main love interest Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) was quirky, mysterious, and aloof, but showed just the right hint of vulnerability at the right moments.
Michael Cera did a great job playing, well, Michael Cera. He’s well-suited to the role of the slightly awkward underdog who goes for what he wants at full power. And the suite of evil exes each have a personality and a power of their own, with different battle styles and strengths required to defeat each one. Many video game genres are well represented, from ninja fighting games to skateboarding to the music genre, while the movie plays well as one truly epic adventure to save the princess.
If you’re a comic book, video game, or fantasy fan, or a fan of geekery, you’ll probably love this movie. If you’re a fan of action and/or comedy, you’ll probably enjoy this movie. I was lucky enough to score free passes to an advance screening, but the movie was already on my must-see list for the summer. Add it to your list.
About 150 young nonprofit professionals gathered in DC on Friday to learn about how social media can be used by nonprofits to further their goals. It was a fast-paced, information-packed day organized by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of DC. Tamara Rasberry’s event recap details many of the speakers and topics covered. Here are some key tips from the amazing speakers and panelists at the conference, from tweets and notes.
- Start small with social tools. One person doing well can lead to greater organizational buy-in. Have a short-term plan for what to do in the first 30, 60, and 90 days.
- Internal education and communication is essential. Education will help others in your organization understand the value of what you want to do, why you should be in the social media space. Share this Social Media Revolution video with skeptical colleagues to demonstrate the importance of having a dedicated social media presence.
- Promote and communicate your successes. Formalize regular internal reporting of what you’re gaining (awareness, followers, positive mentions, etc.) by having a social media presence. If something big has happened, such as a huge jump in website traffic, donations, members, or campaign actions, market your social media success story assertively to your colleagues and organizational leaders.
- Find and follow tweeps who cover and talk about your subject or issue using tools such as WeFollow and other Twitter directories, and event and topic hashtag searches. (Bonus tip: WeFollow used to allow only three tags on your account but now allows up to five. If you signed up a while ago or have changed your focus, you may want to update your listing.)
- Keep your content retweetable. Keep it short enough that your handle and additional characters can be added without requiring editing.
- Keep in mind that social media can act as a democratizing force for smaller organizations, allowing you to spread your message, gain followers, and even win contests and mentions, no matter how big you are.
- Twitter and Facebook can foster a higher level of interaction and more interactions than blog or news article comments. People often use their real identities, pictures, and names and have an easily-findable presence on social media forums.
- Cross-generational information sharing can be a great way to help older workers better understand new media and younger workers better understand the organization’s goals and processes. Institute formal mentoring or info-sharing sessions to make this happen.
- Keep an eye on what people are talking about, the top news stories and trending topics. If trending topics are related to your programs, messages, and goals, jump in the conversation! Use hashtags to be found more easily. Think about unique connections you can make, such as using a hot-button political issue as a way to encourage more voter registration.
- What do you want your audience and community to think about you, to know about you? What reputation are you trying to build, what are your goals for participation? Answer these questions to stay focused. (This point was also an exercise in the Blogging for Branding 31 days to a brand new blog challenge from Rosetta Thurman.)
- Content curating is becoming a highly valued skill; seek out and share the most relevant and important content in your area of expertise or practice. Keep in mind the 80/20 rule: no more (and often less) than 20% of your posts should be self-promotional. 80% should be engagement and sharing others’ content and successes.
- Combining social media with traditional PR is all about building relationships. Be where key reporters are, follow them on Twitter, comment on their articles, help share and fulfill their requests. Be a resource for them, and they’ll be more likely to think of you for a story or respond to a pitch.
And finally, I have to share this funny cartoon shared by Lisa Byrne. Attendees were eagerly soaking up, taking notes on, and tweeting the great information and examples presented by all the speakers. A big thanks to YNPNdc, John Chen, Malcolm Furgol, and the organizing committee for organizing a valuable, fun conference.
Thank you to speakers and panelists Tammy Gordon, Brian Dresher, Reggie Henry, Peter Panepento, Alison McQuade, Chris Golden, Ayofemi Kirby, Jason Rosenberg, Rosetta Thurman, Ashley Parker, Debbie Friez, Mariah Craven, Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Kye Strance, and Jordan Viator for sharing your experiences and insights.
Movie review: Step Up 3D
No one is going to go see Step Up 3D for a creative plot, but if you love dance, you’ll truly enjoy this movie. The first dance movie made in 3D and the third installment in the Step Up film franchise, Step Up 3D showcased some incredible hip-hop and breakdancing. Viewers of So You Think You Can Dance were exposed to repeated promotions for the movie, and it was enough to get me in the theater. So what was great and what was lacking? To break it down:
Plot: B- Surprisingly, there was actually a fair amount going on plot-wise. None of it was particularly original and most of it was predictable, but there was more going on here than in the average romantic or buddy comedy. The plot centered around Luke, the leader of a close-knit dance crew; Natalie, the new girl in the crew; Moose, a college freshman trying to balance school and dance; and Camille, Moose’s best friend. The crew, of course, has to battle with a rival dance crew to win a contest that has big implications for their future. Light romance and conflict ensue.
Characters: C+ The characters are pretty flat and stereotypical, without much development. There’s the usual business about pursuing your dream and figuring out what really matters. Luke happens to have a passion for making film, and his films allow us to see glimpses of the dancers’ thoughts on what dance means to them and where they come from in documentary style, providing some of the most real emotional moments in the film. Some of these supporting characters, while providing comic relief and more dancing, seem more real than the leads because they’re not forced into a predictable plot role – they seem to be appearing as themselves. The main characters are likable and provide a good-enough vehicle to move the film along, but are ultimately forgettable, blending into a long line of dance-loving protagonists.
Dialogue: C There were moments in this movie when I would literally turn to my friend and whisper the next line before the character said it. Like the plot and characters, the dialogue was utterly predictable and forgettable in its over-the-top cheesiness and “believe-in-yourself-ness.” I was often laughing at the film instead of with it, but the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, either, so the cheesiness often becomes funny instead of merely groan-worthy.
Dancing: A+ Finally, the reason I paid $13 to go see this film in 3D. The movie featured a huge cast of over 250 superb dancers. There were incredible hip-hop dance sequences by some amazing dancers. And not only were street dancing and breaking featured, but there was a tango sequence and a fun dance reminiscent of the famous Singing in the Rain number. Fans of So You Think You Can Dance (and another popular TV musical show) will recognize familiar faces. The quality and originality of the dancing in this film were simply amazing, far better than any other recent dance film.
Visual Effects: A The 3D in this film was very realistic, making the dancers and environment pop off the screen as elbows and knees were popping and locking. Only a few times did I notice that some aspect of the environment or a particular dance move was done in a certain way only because of the 3D, like an awful lot of arms pointing straight at you. But short of seeing dance in person, seeing dance in 3D is as good as it gets. Dance is movement, and 3D enhances movement and body positions. I think the scope and sheer number of dancers would be a little lost in a traditional flat film. The final dance sequence had some highly inventive lighting, provoking genuine “oohs” and “aahs” when combined with the dance moves and 3D effects.
Bottom line: if you are a fan of any kind of dance or a fan of 3D movies, go see this film! You will not be disappointed by these aspects, and you might find yourself laughing and enjoying the cheesy plot in site of yourself.
National Dance Day celebration on the National Mall
This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the National Dance Day event on the National Mall, presented by So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of DC. (My Congresswoman! Who still can’t vote, but does great work anyway.) Norton introduced a resolution in Congress declaring July 31st officially National Dance Day and presented Nigel with a plaque of thanks from Congress for increasing awareness of dance as an important fitness activity.
Highlights for me included simply seeing some celebrities from the worlds of dance, politics and fitness, including:
- Nigel Lythgoe himself, Executive Producer and Judge on SYTYCD
- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
- Dominique Dawes, Gold medal gymnast from the 1996 women’s Olympic gymnastics team in Atlanta (one of my favorite group of athletes of all time, right up there with the 1995 World Champion Atlanta Braves), Currently Co-Chair of the President’s Council on Fitness
- Russell Ferguson, Season 6 winner of SYTYCD
The event organizers gathered together an incredible variety of local dance talent who performed an amazing array of dance styles, including contemporary, hip-hop, tap, swing, DC hand dancing (official dance of the District of Columbia), Zumba, Irish dancing, African dancing, ballroom, and flamenco.
No dance day event would be complete without enthusiastic crowd participation. Russell, Congresswoman Norton and friends led the crowd in the Electric Slide, and Step Afrika! led the crowd in some basic stepping and call and response. The diverse crowd, from toddlers to seniors, danced along with some of the hip-hop songs and fitness dance routines. And of course, there was the Tabitha and Napoleon Hip-hop choreography many of us had learned. We reviewed the choreography extensively before the show began, and all participants were pumped to present it for the cameras. Watch SYTYCD on Fox this week for clips! (The crowd choreography was one thing I didn’t capture with my camera – I was too busy dancing!)
What was also really fun to see, besides the pure joy of the crowd in dancing, participating in the show and watching the dancing, was the pure joy and enthusiasm of Mr. Nigel Lythgoe. Being British and tie-clad, in his seriousness on TV, what doesn’t always come across clearly is how much this man truly loves dancing. You could see in his face, his smile, his playful dancing at the beginning of the show how truly happy and inspired he was to share his love of dancing with the gathered crowd and folks across the country.
As the show wrapped up, many participants continued to dance for the cameras. I followed Nigel and Russell with my camera, getting a few paparazzi shots of the dance celebs. Russell was sweet enough to pause for photos with fans!
I love the show So You Think You Can Dance because I love dance. I was thrilled to be a part of the (hopefully, first annual) National Dance Day celebration. A couple friends and I kept the party going at a cookout hosted by my roommate at our house. As was fitting for National Dance Day, the cookout wrapped up with a small impromptu living room dance party.
Keep on dancing! I know I will. And please check out my photos from National Dance Day on Flickr!
Social Grace 