Bobby “Extremely” White is currently in the middle of P90X, a 90-day work-out regimen that’s growing popularity with swing dance instructors. Each week, he reviews one of the program’s 12 exercises, and gives an update on how it’s going and where it hurts.

DAY 70

At the writing of this post, I began the second week of my final month of P90X, which starts off with a First Month workout week, followed by a Second Month work out week, and then repeats that two-week chunk, ending with a final recovery week.

This weekend, one of my closest friends, Andrew Thigpen, came to visit, and jumped in on a few exercise days. Having him present turned on the testosterone-fueled male mindset of me of trying to impress him with how hard I work. The result was the best Plyometrics workout I’ve done yet. I worked so hard I felt like I was going to throw up afterwords…so maybe I worked too hard. But at least I know I can work too hard, you know?

Anyway, as Tony mentions in the videos, having friends around helps a lot in a workout—you give each other support, you have a healthy competition that helps each of you push yourselves, and you share in the post-workout exhaustion of having worked hard and accomplished something. I had that experience with only a few workouts with a friend; I can only imagine what its like with, for instance, people in the armed forces who go through boot camp, and perhaps combat, with each other. (more…)

Filed Under: Dance Advice, Trends | Friday, June 5th, 2009

Event Name: Boston Tea Party
Event Date: March 26th to March 29th
Event Location: Danvers, MA
Event Website: http://teapartyswings.com
Event Hosts: Steve & Rebecca Drzewiczewski and Dan Mez
Event Teachers: Instructors Listed Here.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Music: DJed Music
Class Levels: Beginner, Intermediate/Advanced, Balboa, WCS
Competitions: Strictly Lindy, Strictly Balboa, Jack & Jills
Venue Floors: Portable Ballroom Floors

Tea Party is probably one of the most successful crossover events in the U.S.  It has exceptional competitors from both the Lindy Hop and the West Coast Swing scene, talented DJs and a host of great instructors on site.

This year a large majority of the Lindy Bloggers team was in attendance and we got a few group pictures snapped and some of their highlights and opinions on this years BTP.

Boston Tea Party is organized by Steve and Rebecca (last name unspeakable by normal man) in Danvers, MA.  It kicked off on March 26th and lasted till the 29th (yes this review is quite delayed).

I arrived Friday afternoon and settled into my room.  Having attended BTP for a number of years now I see many familiar faces from all over, it is a social event for many dancers as well as a dance event.  We dine, relax in the hot tubs, work out (P90X it), and party together on top of all the dancing.  Hotel events definitely enable this mingling atmosphere. (more…)

Filed Under: Event Reviews, Lindybloggers | Thursday, June 4th, 2009

Dear Casey is a satirical twist on the advice columns found in news media. Send your questions to casey@lindybloggers.com

Dear Casey,

Please give me advice on how to win!
Jaded competitor

(more…)

Filed Under: Competition Advice, Dance Advice, Dear Casey | Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009

Shown at Frankie95, here’s the official global Shim Sham video.

Dancers from around the world dance a Shim Sham as a tribute to Frankie Manning on his 95th birthday. The video was edited by Akemi Kinukawa and was screened during the Frankie95 celebration held in New York City over the 2009 Memorial Day weekend. It features over 5,000 dancers from 22 countries in four and a half minutes of pure joy. Click the HQ button to watch in high quality.

Filed Under: Dance Community, Event Reviews | Monday, June 1st, 2009