Good or Bad Hair: The New Class

Let's make this movement viral! It's 2013 and the same issues still persist.

BlabberMouth ATL 2013

Say what you will about Atlanta, but one thing's for sure, this is definitely a city for dreamers. What's great is when you can sift through the pipe dreams and link up with goal-oriented people who not only have a dream, but a clear vision and trajectory to transform those dreams into realities.

BlabberMouth ATL, was formed in 2012 to give Atlanta choreographers and dancers the opportunity to develop dance works and perform them on public stages. Each season they select 13 choreographers to host auditions for casting, stage and present works, and establish a deeper community with fellow dance makers and lovers of the dance. The choreographers expertise runs the gambit. We have contemporary, modern, hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, african and everything in between. I'm also super-excited to see so much participation from men in the industry - this season features 5 male choreographers.

As many of you know, I was selected as one of the esteemed BlabberMouths. I will be presenting a piece called "War of the Roses". I am so humbled and ecstatic to be working with 10 of the most amazing female dancers in Atlanta. Quite a few of them are new to the ATL dance scene, but I promise, after you see these ladies perform, they will be in the mouths and minds of many of Atlanta's taste-makers.

As a choreographer I entrust each dancer to make the story their own - drawing from their past experiences, to ensure that the work reads as authentic and pure. I'm always preaching about it being reflective and organic. It's been a pleasure working with the dancers and seeing BlabberMouth get footing and take flight. I can't wait to see it flourish and blossom as a staple here in Atlanta.

The BlabberMouth ATL inaugural season will culminate at Spelman College on May 10-11th, 2013, 7:30pm. In addition to presenting new dance works, one of the choreographers will be presented a residency with Spelman College's Dance Department, which will give them the opportunity to set a new dance piece for the department's Fall 2013 Dance concert.

Here's a lineup of all the choreographers and their performance dates:

Cast A: May 10th

Rob Myers

Kala Seidenberg

Caitlin McCormack

Kate Davis

Christopher McIntosh

Meg Gibbs

Cast B: May 11th

Mary Love Ward

Ursula Kendall

Mohammad Zaidi

Deandra Jefferson

Erik Thurmond

Mallory Baxley

Rashad Gardner

Tickets go on sale this week and can be purchased via the website: blabbermouthatl.com. Hope to see you there!!!

The Diamonds dazzle the crowd at Hawks game!

There's nothing more rewarding for me than to see a young performer earn their stripes on the stage. In the case of my Dazzling Diamonds of the International Academy of Smyrna, it was more like a floor- hard-court floor to be exact.


Last night during the Atlanta Hawks game vs. the Brooklyn Nets, the Dazzling Diamonds had the opportunity to perform before thousands as an entertainment act. Not only did the dancers do well, but parents and loved ones were in full force to show support and love for their budding superstars.

The dancers ranged in age from 7-12 years old, but they're performance factor matched that of a seasoned professional. Atlanta Hawks officials stated that this was by far the best performance that the Diamonds had done in their four year history of performing at Hawks games, and asked if we'd come back and perform again before the season ends.

Looks like the Hawks beating the Nets wasn't the only victory last night. Next up for the Dazzling Diamonds is getting ready for competition season.   So until next time, we'll see ya on the FLOOR!

Don't Sleep!!!

It would be impossible to take footage from every project I've ever worked on and put it into a 3 minute video, so I took what I felt was some of the best to formulate my 2013 Choreography Reel.

This year is less than two weeks old and the blessings have been flowing abundantly. I am so grateful and blessed at the vast diversity of the projects that I have been privileged to secure.

I am declaring 2013 the "Year of No Sleep". I don't mean that literally, but figuratively; I want to be making dreams come true this year, understanding that I am operating in my prime season. I pray that work leads me to travel to places I've never dreamed of going, to be able to impact and inspire people in places I never thought I'd be. I want to be apart of the much needed shift that's beginning to take place in the art community here in Atlanta. I want to see my family faring well in this new season and I pray I can be a pivotal part in that movement. I ask that the Lord use me to continue to do the work he installed me to do.

Dance is what I do. It's a God-given gift. I make no apologies for who I am. I pray that those along with me for the ride are here to support and uplift me in this journey, as I prepare to do the same for them.

I am thankful for my uber-talented and ultra-blessed wife, who supports me and my vision and I,hers. I am blessed to have family and friends who invest their time and energies into my craft, because they believe in the promise and understand the vision.

This reel is merely a small peek into what my God has lined up for me. So enjoy, but don't sleep - you might miss something.

Good or Bad Hair: The New Class

As many of my friends, family and followers know, back in September, I had the opportunity to choreograph and co-produce a short film referencing the Straight and Nappy scene from famed director and producer, Spike Lee's, "School Daze". While conceptualizing the piece with thee A-MAZ-ing! Tina Fears, we realized how relevant the original material was - even today. While adding a few new elements and all-new choreography, we were adamant about keeping true to the integrity of the original piece.




The scene we re-envisioned is commonly known to most as Good or Bad Hair, as the song reiterates in the lyrics. It pits the fictional college subgroups, the Jigaboos and Wannabees, against one another. Jigaboos are proud of their hair texture and embrace their darker complexions, while the Wannabees strive to be as mainstream and fair-skinned as possible. The song delves into the stereotypes associated with both groups concerning hair textures, style of dress, attitudes, dating, socio-economic status and class; all issues that still persist today. Contrary to how the scene and song open, the Jigaboos and Wannabees do find a mutual respect for their counterparts' differences, even if they don't totally agree, they at least come to an understanding that who we are is who we'll be and that the true testament and measure of a person is what's on the inside. Throughout the film we see a dynamic internal shift in the main characters, which is apropos for college life and the evolution of a young adult.

This year "School Daze" celebrates its 25th Anniversary, and like most Spike Lee films, it was, and evidently still is, steeped in controversy. Say what you will about Mr. Lee, but his films are genius and his delivery is gripping and slightly uncomfortable at times, but it works for him and his audiences can't get enough.

"School Daze", originally released in February of 1988, help catapult the careers of many famed celebs, such as Tisha Campbell-Martin, Laurence Fishbourne, Giancarlo Esposito, and Jasmine Guy. It featured cameos by Cassie Davis, AJ Johnson, and Samuel L. Jackson, the three of whom were students at Spelman and Morehouse colleges in that era, which was fitting, since the film was shot in the West End, a municipality of Atlanta, Georgia. Spike Lee's role of Half Pint was easily the most noted. He was awkward, impressionable, and easily swayed, which is so common for many college students.


We decided to wait for a 2013 release to be able to coincide with the 25th Anniversary of the film. Our director, Katie Smith, actually had the opportunity to meet Spike Lee prior to us shooting the piece and he was very excited and supportive of our efforts. 2013 is already gearing up to be a fantastic year for the arts. Stay tuned!

The premiere party of the short film will take place Sunday, January 6th at 4pm at the Student Center Ballroom, 350 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332. The event is RSVP only. Please submit all RSVP's and inquiries to goodorbadhair2012@gmail.com. Thanks!

Happy Holidays From Rob!!!

It's the holiday season and I wanted to give a gift to you and yours. Enjoy!

Tamar Braxton " Love and War"