China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe presents a beautiful performance of the Thousand-Hand Guan Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. What’s amazing is the all the performers are deaf, making the choreography to the music even more incredible.

Guan Yin is the bodhisattva of compassion, revered by Buddhists as the Goddess of Mercy. Her name is short for Guan Shi Yin. Guan means to observe, watch, or monitor; Shi means the world; Yin means sounds, specifically sounds of those who suffer. Thus, Guan Yin is a compassionate being who watches for, and responds to, the people in the world who cry out for help.

Thanks to Mom for the tip!

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- Extra Action Marching Band Perform Cro Fro

- The Richter Scales Perform New Song “Heart” at The Crunchies 2008

- Jonathan Coulton & Paul and Storm Perform Entire They Might Be Giants Album Flood

- Ten Thousand Pictures of You

- Dark Room Theater Bene-Fett: Night of a Thousand Stars…Wars

guest post by Violet Blue

Above is Ely Kim’s truly awesome “Boombox: 100 days, 100 songs, 100 locations, 100 dances” — one of the three videos Jason Schultz (Dir Samuelson Law & Technology Clinic, UC Berkeley) used in his South By SouthWest Interactive 2009 panel New Threats to New Media: Fair Use On Trial. Of the many excellent panels and core conversations at SXSWi ‘09, Shultz’s stood out as one of the most exciting, unforgettable and still talked about sessions at the convention.

That’s not the only thing that left us stirred and excited: We also truly loved a couple of the packed, standing room only core conversations. Like the provocative and informative How Not To Be Evil (Even By Accident) with Danny O’Brien and Eva Galperin (both from the EFF). Also remarkable and highly valuable was the packed Therapy 2.0: Mental Health for Geeks with Dr. Keely Kolmes (professional website) and Thomas Roche. See also: the Therapy 2.0 wiki here. Don’t get me wrong: there was some pure, tiresome, self-congratulatory crap on the schedule; but the value, when found, was extremely high.

But it was the Fair Use on Trial panel that had the dynamic format, high energy, conflict and controversy that made us remember why it’s worth traveling to see this always-evolving conference. For the panel, Schultz picked Stanford’s Julie Ahrens (one of Shepard Fairey’s lawyers); her polar opposite lawyer Ben Sheffner (Fox Media, the McCain presidential campaign); and film artist Kelly Nyks.

Then Schultz set up a really exciting format: first he’d show us an Internet video where fair use was in question. Next, he’d ask the audience for a quick show of hands — was this fair use or not? No nitty gritty definition or dissection, just our initial gut reactions to the video. Fast! Schultz then gave each lawyer three minutes apiece to argue their case (and they were at odds each time). After the arguments, then Schultz would quickly ask the room again — was the video fair use, or not? Then he’d ask if anyone changed their minds. Every time, people did. Jason would then ask one of the people who’d switched to tell us the reason they switched, and only 30 seconds to sum it up for the room. It was the Fair Use Experiment. We watched three videos total, and the Q/A after was on fire.

It was intense, fast-paced and sparked conversations that continued — well, we’re still having them. One of the other videos Schultz showed was “The Films of Stanley Kubrick“. What do you think? Are either of the videos in this post fair use, or not? This slide was our guide.

* More images from the panel are here.

photo by Violet Blue

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- Tim Ferriss’ “Trial by Fire” TV Show Pilot on The History Channel

- Superhero Street Fair, A New Festival Honoring Extraordinary People In The Community

- The First Annual Renegade Craft Fair San Francisco

- 15th Annual Bay Area Anarchist Book Fair

- America’s Tweethearts in Vanity Fair

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak doing a Cha Cha on Dancing with the Stars.

Here’s Woz’s intro video for Dancing with the Stars where he proclaims “Nerds can dance!” On his website Woz talks more about his appearance on the show.

Karina and I did exactly as we planned, so we came away extremely happy. I hit every beat. I didn’t hear any specific comments about not leading with toes or having toes pointing wrong, or a hand upside down, or leaning forward, or having a foot miss even a single beat (it didn’t happen). All I heard was some teletubby comment, which might be valid. I would say that there is a big mismatch between the judges’ votes and the audience responses. That might be a matter for the producers.

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- 3 Minutes With Steve Wozniak

- Jackie Jones and Her Dancing Cat

- Hexapod Dancing Robot Competition

- Voice Activated, Interactive Dancing R2-D2 Astromech Droids

- Stars & Garters Theatre Company: Show & Tell Vol. II

Baby Doe and The Devil-Ettes present Pip Squeak A Go Go, a dance party for all ages that takes place this Sunday, March 1st at Rhythmix Cultural Works in Alameda. This year’s event is a special benefit for Cure JM, a foundation that is searching for a cure for Juvenile Dermatomysitis (JM). Tickets can be purchased online in advance.

Looking for something fun and completely different to do on a weekend afternoon? Then grab the kids and head on down to Pip Squeak A Go Go! The Devil-Ettes, San Francisco’s premier 60s style go go dance group, are pleased to bring you a Go Go Dance party for the underage set.

This is a special Pip Squeak A Go Go—not only because it’s the first time in the East Bay, but because it’s also a benefit for Juvenile Dermatomysitis (JM). This disease only affects about 5,000 children in the United States. Yet there are two known cases in Alameda. This event is in the name of these two young girls.

Featuring live music by The Time Outs, Uni and her Ukelele, Frances England and Go Go Dances throughout the day by The Devil-Ettes! Whether you’re a kid, or just like to act like one, this is one bash you won’t want to miss!

Sunday March 1st, 2009
Price: $10.00 (kids under 1 are FREE!)

+ AWESOME TUNES! DJ Rockin’ Raul will be spinning all afternoon long
+ FANCY DANCIN’! The Devll-Ettes will get the kids hoppin’ with fun and energetic dance performances throughout the afternoon
+ RAFFLE PRIZES GALORE! Help raise money for Cure JM and get something fun in return!
+ 60s GO-GO DANCE LESSONS! Learn how to do classic dances like the Monkey, the Swim, the Bug and more courtesy of The Devil-Ettes!
+ BABY BAZZARE! Fun local craftsman selling kid friendly wares. Shop while you bop!
+ THE ULTIMATE IN KID FRIENDLY! The afternoon also includes kids snacks, a diaper changing area and more!

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- Pip Squeak A Go Go, A Dance Party For All Ages

- PS22 Chorus Sings Pictures of You by The Cure

- LOLCats Sing “Love Cats” by The Cure

- Photos & Video of 1 Wall / 25 Gears Benefit For Todd Blair

- Josh Wolf Benefit Events

guest post by Aaron Muszalski

This weekend the acclaimed Edwardian Ball returns once again to San Francisco, with three full nights of music, dance and performance inspired by the delightfully macabre (and occasionally ribald) work of writer and artist Edward Gorey.

Since its inception the Ball has grown to become one of the most highly anticipated and extravagant events on SF’s underground social calendar, and this year it will take place in one of the city’s premier venues, The Regency Grand Ballroom (formerly the historic Avalon Ballroom). This year also marks another first for the Ball, when it makes its Los Angeles debut the following weekend, on Saturday the 31st.

Both events are not-to-be-missed spectacles of costumery, elegance and diverse entertainments, with participants and performers both bringing out their absolute best. The result is a richly immersive experience unlike any other, and a wonderful celebration of participatory, DIY creativity.

This year the Ball spans three nights, each with its own distinct theme. Friday night is the Second Annual “Edwardian World’s Faire”, an international exposition showcasing the latest wonders of science, fashion, technology and the natural world. Featuring infernal devices from Kinetic Steam Works, custom corsetry from Dark Garden, a Hall of Fine Arts (curated by Will Chase) and musical entertainments from cellists par excellence Rasputina, anachro-scavengers (and infamous airship pirates) Abney Park and more.

Saturday is the Ball proper, this year formally entitled “The Tuning Fork” or, The Ninth Annual Edwardian Ball, being an unparalled night of Tour de Force performers including pagan lounge pioneers (and Edwardian Ball founders) Rosin Coven, the genre-busting gyrations of the Vau de Vire Society, the fierce feats of LA’s top circus punks, Cirque Berzerk, and the incomparable music of dark cabaret singer and “Belle of The Ball” Jill Tracy.

Sunday night rounds out the weekend with the Third Annual “Sunday Gorey Sunday”, an Edwardian vaudeville and variety night hosted by Kingfish of the Hubba Hubba Review, and featuring an all-new variety show by the Vau De Vire Society, unpredictable madness from the Fou Fou HA! dancers, music from The Ghosts Project (featuring Paul Mercer), Oryx Incruentus, and many others.

Tickets are still available for all three nights of this spectacular fête, as well as for the LA Ball. But act quickly, as the Edwardian Ball consistently sells out. (Psst! When purchasing tickets, enter the discount code SQUID and you’ll receive a special $5 discount!)

photos by Neil Girling / The Blight, PixieVision Productions, Jake Appelbaum, Andrew Schmidt, John Adams, Steve23

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- The Edwardian Ball Weekend 2010

- The Trouble With Tribbles by Edward Gorey

- The Handstand Ball

- Spider Ball, A Black Rock Arts Foundation Benefit

- Project Wrecking Ball at Varnish Fine Art

Hubba Hubba Review: O, Canada!, featuring top notch Canadian comedy and Quebec burlesque, takes place this Friday, January 16th at DNA Lounge

Join everyone’s favorite Canuckleheads, Lumbercamp Eddie and Sgt. Kingfish of the Yukon, as they take you on a Burlesque Romp through the Great White North!

It’s the biggest, wildest show this side of the Aurora Borealis!

illustration via Hubba Hubba Review

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- Tease-O-Rama 2007 Burlesque Convention

- A Disorderly House, Five Years of DNA Lounge Photos by John Adams

- Zombie Prom at DNA Lounge

- Web Host Industry Review Article on Laughing Squid Web Hosting

- Amazon.com buys Digital Photography Review

“Dracul: Prince of Fire”, the 10th Anniversary Fire Ballet fundraiser for The Crucible takes place January 7th-10th and January 14th-17th, with a Grand Gala Finale on January 17th. All proceeds from the event help support The Crucible’s youth and adult programs.

Join us for The Crucible’s Tenth Anniversary when we present another stunning Fire Ballet Fundraiser; Dracul: Prince of Fire, conceived and directed by Crucible founder, Michael Sturtz, with choreography by Viktor Kabaniaev, and stage direction by Mark Streshinsky.

In an original twist on the tale of Dracul, the father of Dracula, the story reveals the beginning of the vampire legend in a way only The Crucible could imagine. Set during the age of industry, it’s a dark tale of passion, fire and blood.

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- Hot Couture: A Fusion of Fire & Fashion at The Crucible

- The Crucible’s Benefit Fire Ballet, Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird

- Tech Alley’s Laughing Squid 10th Anniversary Videos

- Laughing Squid 10th Anniversary Party Poster

- 10th Anniversary Party Venue

Back in October I posted about Hexapodmeisterschaft, a dancing decapitated head robot, well more video has surfaced from the third annual Hexapod Dance Competition held in Hagenberg, Austria.

via Jason Schupp

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- Hexapodmeisterschaft, A Dancing Decapitated Head Robot

- RoboGames 2008, The World’s Largest Open Robot Competition

- RoboGames 2007, A Massive 3 Day Robot Competition

- ComBots Cup IV, A Fighting Robots Competition

- The Squid and The Robot

Tonight at the Digg Meetup at Mighty in San Francisco Jelly Donut and Two Touch rocked the mic, then introduced MC Hammer who took the stage and lead a big dance off.

Here’s Jelly Donut and Two Touch doing a freestyle rap to random words that Aubrey Sabala of Digg collected from the crowd.

Here are a few photos from the event.

video & photos by Scott Beale

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- Zappos.com Takes Twitter By Storm, Hosts San Francisco Party

- Digg v3 Party Photos

- Digg Million User Celebration & Digg API Announcement

- Digg Meetup San Francisco

- Digg Meetup at Mighty in San Francisco

The fifth annual San Francisco Trolley Dances, a freewheeling festival of modern dance, takes place October 18th and 19th on the Third Street T-Line.

This October, climb aboard as the acclaimed San Francisco Trolley Dances takes a step into the present and travels along 3rd Street on the T-Line for an exciting day of modern dance in the streets of San Francisco. $1.50 in train fare is all you need to see the best show in town as Kim Epifano’s Epiphany Productions takes audiences on a ride in the company of “tour guides”, you will travel to four different outdoor performance sites to view pieces by some of the Bay Area’s most innovative choreographers.

photos by Andy Mogg

This is a blog post from Laughing Squid, subscribe via RSS, Email, Twitter & Facebook.

Related posts:

- Muni F-Line Historic Streetcars Make SUV Sandwich on Market Street in San Francisco

- How Bush Street Was Changed To Obama Street In San Francisco

- Raccoons Line Up To Ride San Francisco MUNI Bus

- Bush Street Renamed Obama Street in San Francisco

- San Francisco T-Third Street Light Rail Opening