The photo was taken by Jessica Keener. I’m off to New Zealand!

Happy New Year from the DJ booth!

Hej hej!
Greetings from Sweden, and a Happy New Year!

This year for my New Year’s festivities, I traveled to Sweden–the land where everyone pronounces my last name right on the first try–for The Snowball.  After hearing so many wonderful things about this event, I’ve always been curious to see it for myself. … I was not disappointed! Kenneth, Helene, Hasse, & Marie have built a fantastic high-quality event, that is beautifully run, and an absolute joy to be at.

So, believe me when I said that it was a pleasure and an honor to be a part of this event. This year, I was featured as one of the main DJs, as well as provided competition music for the event.

Also, they shoot golden confetti out of cannons at midnight.

Gott Nytt År!
Happy New Year!

-Kate

The drive to Asheville, NC is absolutely gorgeous, full of two lane highways that wind through low mountain ranges and pastoral beauty.

For the opening ceremonies of Lindy Focus tonight, I composed a hip hop song that we performed live, thanks to a large group of good friends and wonderful dancers/hip hoppers.

Because we only had thirty minutes to rehearse it in the space with mics and level tests, and those mics and levels changed during the time between our rehearsal, I was vaguely conscious during the performance that a lot of the lyrics couldn’t be understood. so, here’s a link to the original demo recording and lyrics:

A hug thanks to all the people who helped us perform it live:

Musicians: Michael Gamble, Andy Reid, Nathan Bugh, Jeremy Otth Beatbox: Michael Jagger and Dorry Segev Rappers: Andrew Thigpen, Mikey Pedroza, Myself. Hypemen: Jon Tigert, Andrew Munoz, Bobby Bonsey, Kevin St Laurent.

And to our master soundman Jeramie Anderson.

Happy Lindy Focus to those who are here.

Bobby here.

I’m very excited that from mid-January to mid-February next year, I’ll be doing a month-long artist in residence in New Zealand. (Kate will still be in the states, doing gigs with other leaders like Nick “Instructor Nick” Williams.)

What does Artist-in-Residence mean? Well, for starters, I teach a bunch of classes, do talks, privates, and practices, and generally just geek out at people for a month.

I’m also very excited for a few other reasons:

1

New Zealand looks like a Photoshopped version of what you think New Zealand already looks like.

2

The city, Wellington, has a small-town feel, a street with practically nothing else but vintage stores and cafes.

3

There is a group of really great people there I am diabolically planning to make really good friends.

4

There’s already talks of Kayaking around the island, getting shot at in rubber bullet combat games, songwriting and performing with my good friend Saran, and staying in the guest room of two amazing people.

So…yeah, kinda excited. I’ll keep everyone updated on my adventures here at the Bobby & Kate blog, so stay tuned.

Kate & I competed in various contests. To switch it up a bit, we danced with different partners for the contests.

Here is Kate’s first place dance with Nick Williams:

Here is my 3rd place dance with Laura Keat:

I also made it to the Solo Charleston finals, which is here.

As I like to wait awhile before watching myself on video, you will probably have seen these before I have.

For me, I would never really describe a competition weekend as “incredibly fun” , because, like most heavy competitors, I spend a third of the time practicing and preparing, a third of the time waiting for my comp to start, and a third of the time competing, which can be a fun but emotionally and mentally draining experience. The fun happens mostly when you’re in the middle of a comp, or when you’re done with one. And of course, the greatest fun is Sunday night, after you’re done with everything, and all there is to do left is social dance with people from all over the world. Yet as far as comp weekends go, ILHC is incredible with what they offer the community. Definitely check out the Juniors Division at this years event.

Thank you, ILHC, for another incredible year.

It can count backwards from 100 in Arabic. It makes ten minute brownies in six minutes. The Spanish call it “El Huevo Diablo.” It’s the camel that broke the straw’s back and it’s OUR NEW WEBSITE!

You’re looking at it right now, in all its glorious splendor.

Kate & I have been extremely pleased to work with incredible web designer (and DJ) Kyle Smith (Five Lines Media) to put together our new site, which we think represents our personalities rather nicely. But, more importantly, we think it’ll be easy and fun to use; Please peruse and enjoy yourself.