Ok, so it’s a bit of a stretch, as far as having to do with the swing scene, but since all things funnel back to the great black hole called “Lindy Hop,” I say it passes. If you don’t like musicals, then you might skip this post…but I do recommend looking up other random improv troupes online if you need to waste a few hours. A good place to start is “Frozen Grand Central.”
Reason for this improv piece? A Chester Whitmore sighting at the end of this video. He says, “That is the singingest janitor I’ve ever seen…”
Chester Whitmore is an incredible Big Band leader, drummer, and tap dancer, mentored by Fayard Nicholas, of the Nicholas brothers. You may have met/seen him directing skits in Herrang, or strutting his stuff at the Masters of Tap in Seattle, WA.
Since Lindy Hoppers and Balboa Dancers comprise a small group with little exposure to the public (as in, you explain you do “Lindy” and a ND nods in uncertainty, and you have to explain the entire history of swing in 5 minutes…forget about Bal), a big part of our dance culture is about being overzealously excited about seeing one of our “members,” or especially one of our mentors get face time in public.
Premise: Improv Everywhere, staged an impromptu musical inside a Los Angeles mall.
In addition, the improv thing should appeal to you, because drama kids comprise at least 35%* of swing dancers (the other 65% are people who wished they could have done drama. And we all wish we could sing – preferably “Dinah” or “Honeysuckle Rose.”)
Improv Everywhere causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places. Created in August of 2001 by Charlie Todd, Improv Everywhere has executed over 70 missions involving thousands of undercover agents. The group is based in New York City.
Enjoy! I hope I’ve opened another world of time-wasting on the internet for all you tech-savvy/internet addicted dancers out there…
-DS
*Give or take 30-60%.
Posted by Vintage 