I’ve gotten fascinated by the process of songwriting, something I don’t understand. I think I can safely say I will never write a song. But there are people who do it from childhood on, over and over. Sometimes they never … Continue reading →
[Hat tip: A whole bunch of readers sent me links to this.] Heather Mac Donald is a writer I admire who knows a lot about the anti-racist movement as it relates to policing. Now she tackles the subject of how … Continue reading →
In this season of holidays that feature light in the darkness of the darkest time of year, we also have the political shadows that have descended on America. I’m going to assume that most of us are doing what we … Continue reading →
If you’re of a certain age, you may remember Señor Wences from the Ed Sullivan Show. I loved him, and would watch the show every Sunday night, always hoping he’d be on: Wences (real name: Wenceslao Moreno) had a pretty … Continue reading →
Escapism. Watch about the first 13 minutes. Ann Miller lied about her age big time when she began her career, but she got away with it because she looked like a woman. She had a very protective mother to keep … Continue reading →
You won’t see anyone dancing in this style today. You may be glad of that, because it’s somewhat old-fashioned and mannered. But I love Struchkova, just love her. Her dancing is the essence of three things: lightness, charm, and speed. … Continue reading →
[NOTE: This is a slightly-edited repeat of a previous post.] I saw that film on TV maybe 30 times when I was a child. Loved it, and in particular loved the idea that James Cagney—whom I already knew as a … Continue reading →
One of my favorite ballet dancers of all time, Maya Plisetskaya, with some enticing and energetic cultural appropriation. Circa 1959: I saw Plisetskaya in person right around the time this was filmed. She tore up the stage. I don’t think … Continue reading →
…that Bob Hope could dance like this. I prefer Cagney’s completely and utterly unique style, but Hope had impressive skills, too. And they get points from me for bravery, dancing on the table like this, and so relaxed!: This isn’t … Continue reading →
There are women performers in Russian and Ukrainian folk dancing. But they’re really just decorative window-dressing. The men are the thing. And yes, they have ball bearings for knees, and springs in the soles of their feet. I first saw … Continue reading →
But they did: Whoever planned and edited that did a fabulous job. I have to say, though, that this is not a form of dance that has ever especially appealed to me. I deeply admire the skill of those who … Continue reading →
Some of the red tape surrounding the development of new treatments and tests for disease is designed to protect us from rushed and/or botched jobs. But some of it is the result of the natural tendencies of government agencies to … Continue reading →