Benjamin Ricard and Geneviève Kérouac swingin' effortless

Take a look at the video clip above where Benjamin Ricard and Geneviève Kérouac dance in the American Lindy Hop Championship (ALHC) 2006 in the open showcase division.

They took 1st place and no nobody needs to wonder why. Their dance routine seems so effortless and relaxed which tells me that it must have taken lots of hard work to make it look that way.

The song is "Swingin' The Blues" but what orchestra plays it? I haven't heard this version before.

What do you think of the video clip? Please comment.

Lisa Ekdahl - Now or never

Lisa Ekdahl's version of "Now or never" fit the mood of a Saturday morning with sunny weather and clear breeze that hints that the autumn is soon here.

This version from the album "Back To Earth" where Lisa Ekdahl sings together with the Peter Nordahl trio has a bossanova beat but it still swings, hard, just listen to the part between 2.10 and 2.30. Oh, yeah!

I like the idea in the music video with a dance contest in the school. Fits perfect as most schools start the autumn semester right now.

The trio consists of Ronnie Gardiner (drums), Patrik Boman (bass) and Peter Nordahl (piano).

What are your favorite songs for a Saturday morning?

What do you think of Lisa Ekdahl singing Now or never? Please comment.

Jitterbug contest in "Sten Stensson Sten kommer till stan"

Jitterbug dancing is rarely seen in Swedish films but one film where you can see it is the drama/comedy Sten Stensson Sten kommer till stan from 1945.

The amazing comedian Nils Poppe plays the main character Sten Stensson Sten, which is an student from the University of Lund in the south of Sweden. He is a good student but has maybe studied too many years and is caught up in the academic world.

In one scene he has arrived to Stockholm to tell the youth about the dangers of dancing and that dance will probably lead to criminality. He doesn't succeed in his mission but unvillingly gets dragged into a jitterbug competion.

Watch this hilarious video clip with Nils Poppe as Sten Stensson Sten in a jitterbug contest.

The girl who dances with Nils Poppe in the video clip is Ulla Norgren. If you know anything about her, let me know.

The song is "Hela Sverige dansar jitterbug" (Everybody in Sweden dances jitterbug). Music and lyrics by Nils Perne, Sven Paddock and Willard Ringstrand. The song is performed by Freddy Albeck with Gösta Tönnes orkester.

There is actually more dancing in the film in a scene directly before this one where you can see social dancing with dancers from Stockholm, probably from the swing dance club Honkytonk. In that scene some bigotry is shown because Sten Stensson Sten (unsuccessfully) tries to get stronger drinks (like vodka) at the dance hall but all that is served is coffee and soda.

Alcohol could certainly be a potential danger to society and lead to criminality while I can't think of any dance that in itself would be dangerous.

What do you think of the video clip with the jitterbug contest in "Sten Stensson kommer till stan"? Tell me.