Q: How many marriage proposals have you gotten in the last two weeks?

A: (Smiles) I don’t know. It just depends — you mean including Twitter and signs and stuff? — I don’t know (chuckles).

Q: Do you have a girlfriend?

A: No.

Q: Describe your ideal mate.

A: First she would really love God and be a faithful Christian, and then after that, I think, a desire to serve other people, to help with the underprivileged, do a lot of social work . . . great personality and easy to be around. Someone that’s definitely chill, low key, low maintenance.

source: NYPost

As a Chinese American and having followed Jeremy Lin’s ups and downs (mostly downs) since he was drafted, I’m enjoying his meteoric rise* to superstardom as much as the next casual basketball fan. But I think something has been lost amongst all of hype, debates about whether his success is sustainable, and stories about his convoluted and nearly unsuccessful path to being a starter, his grad-student like living conditions, his newfound status as a stereotype shatterer, and his deep faith and humility.

He just doubled or TRIPLED the pressure on your average Asian American kid. Go to Harvard, have good character AND become an athletic superstar? I bet he’s also a musical virtuoso and speaks fluent Mandarin and Taiwanese. Growing up, all we had were Michael Chang and Kristi Yamaguchi, and there was NO WAY my parents were going to pull me out of school to pursue athletics.  Now?  I bet they’ll be forced to memorize SAT vocabulary words while dribbling two balls at once.  While maintaining a 3/4 tempo in one hand and 4/4 in the other.

Poor kids.

Hopefully he keeps putting on enough of a show to distract them from this horrid new reality that he has brought upon them.

My favorite comment on J.Lin so far, from the Laker’s Metta World Peace

Q: Did the Lakers talk about him in the locker room?

A: Do we talk about him? Yeah, we talk about him. We think he needs a better haircut. I don’t like that style. You’re in New York, the fashion capital. Change your haircut, OK? You’re a star now. Wear some shades. Shades, OK? Put down the nerdy Harvard book glasses. Put on some black shades, OK? With some leather pants. Change your style. Fashion.

Q: Do you wear leather pants?

A: No, I won’t wear them, but he should wear leather pants. He’s the type of guy who should wear leather pants, some nice shoes and change his fashion. You’re Jeremy Lin, for godsakes. You know what I’m saying? You know? Put down that law book, stop reading the New York Times and start reading the Daily News. Newsday, that’s the one. I like that one because there’s always color in that one. What else? Wall Street Journal. Get some swag. You’re in New York City. Put your hat to the back, too. Put your hat on backwards. Come to practice with your pants sagging and just tell them, ‘I don’t feel like practicing.’ Practice? You know? Practice? And wear an Iverson jersey. You know? Come to practice with a cigar. Lit. ‘I’m Jeremy Lin.’ You know? He should change. We’re all excited to play tonight. It’s like the first time for everybody. Everybody’s excited. Kobe’s excited. He wants to get 50. He wants to welcome Jeremy Lin to his new level.”

* Ever notice how other than meteors, things hardly ever experience a “meteoric fall”?

Come end the quarter right with a night of great music and dancing powered by the Rhythm Rockets. This highly enthusiastic jazz band is hands down one of the best in Chicago. The Rhythm Rockets always put on a good show, so come with your dancing shoes or just to enjoy the music. We will also be treated to a Balboa group performance during one of the band breaks. Free swing dance lesson for absolute beginners at 7:30, so bring your friends. Brought to you by NSDS.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165678560131109

Jammin’, Jokin’, and Jivin’ for Joseph, a Muscular Dystrophy Fundraiser

CJ Arthur’s
1168 Wilmette Avenue in Wilmette
Sunday, November 14, 2010

Cindy Ulrich Family Concert @ 4:30
SPG Improv @ 5:45
Stephanie Rogers @ 7:00

Come for one show or stay for all three
Suggested donation $15 for adults, $5 for kids
But feel free to give whatever you can!

Joseph Penrod is an 8-year old boy who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in January, 2008. Duchenne is a progressive, degenerative muscle wasting disease. There is no cure. But there is hope. Scientists around the world are working around the clock to find a treatment or a cure.
Since Joseph’s diagnosis, family, friends and an army of volunteers have been working to fund research, to raise awareness of the disease and to fund Joseph’s care and treatment. Great progress has been made, but there is still much to be done. We are in a race against the clock, and we invite everyone to be a part of our team.

Want to meet cool new people? Want to improve your coordination and physical grace? Want to learn the fine art of leading and following a social dance? Try swing dancing! NSDS swing classes (and social dancing) will start on October 10 and run every Sunday for 6 weeks. The following classes will be offered:

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Beginner Swing (Mike and Helen) – 7:30 – 8:15 pm

This class is targeted towards students who have none or minimal swing dancing experience. In addition to the basics of east coast swing and lindy hop, students will learn frame/posture and lead-follow technique.

Even if you’ve never swing danced before, 6 weeks in this class will have you grooving on your feet. No previous experience or partner necessary.

Blues (Matt and Anna) – 8:20 – 9:15 pm

Blues is currently one of the hottest swing dance crazes. Typically done to slower tempo music, blues dancing uses many of the fundamentals found in east coast swing and lindy hop but feels uniquely different. Don’t miss out on this chance to put some cool into your dance style.

Previous swing dancing experience would be beneficial but is not necessary. No partner necessary.

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Price:

Students may attend the first class (Oct 10) for free! The full 6wk course will be $20 for one class, $27 for both (beginner and blues) classes.

Location:

Northwester University (varies by date)

10/10: Louis Room (Norris University Center)

10/17: Louis Room (Norris University Center)

10/24: Louis Room (Norris University Center)

10/31: Louis Room (Norris University Center)

11/7: TBD

11/14: TBD

DJed social dance – 9:15pm – 11:15pm (ish) and is free to all. Get a chance to practice as well as socialize with other dancers!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=153775681321291&ref=mf

SPG Improv Show

Improv and Pizza

Thursday, Sept 16, 6p – 7:30p

NU Grad Student Commons @ Seabury 250 (2122 Sheridan Rd)

NSDS Swing Dance

Thursday, Sept 16, 8:30p – 11p

Beginner Lesson @ 7:30p

Parkes Hall 122 (1870 Sheridan)

• Music Without Borders @ Millennium Park – Thursdays, 6:30-9:30p, June 3 – July 22
• Downtown Sound: New Music Mondays @ Millennium Park – 6:30-9p, May 24 – July 26
• Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz @ Millennium Park – Thursdays, 6:30p, July 29 – Sept 2
• The Grant Park Music Festival @ Millennium Park Varies, June 15 – August 21
• Chicago Summerdance – Free Outdoor Dancing with Live Music and Lessons @ 601 S. Michigan Ave. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening, 6 to 9:30 pm, and Sunday afternoon, 4 to 7 pm, weather-permitting. Free. June 17 – August 28
• Ravinia – outdoor music venue, various
• Chicago Festival Calendar @ Metromix
• The Art Institute – Free Thursday Evenings, 5-9p
• Hot Summer Nights @ Chicago Botanic Gardens – Free Music and Dance Lessons, Thursdays 6-8p, June 10 – Sept 2
• Let’s Dance! @ 909 Davis St Plaza (Metra, Evanston) – Free Music and Dance Lessons, Thursdays 6-9p, July 15 – Aug 19
• Official City of Chicago Festivals (Blues, Taste, Air and Water, Jazz, Viva!, Country Music)
• Chicago Festivals
• Maxwell St. Market – Sundays, 7a-3p
• Chicago Arts District 2nd Fridays Gallery Night – Near 18th and Halsted, 6-8p
• Tuesdays on the Terrace – Live Jazz @ Museum of Contemporary Art. Free (and free adm to the museum itself on tuesdays!), Tuesdays 5:30 – 8p, June 1 – Sept 28

And of course, there are the always handy Chicago Reader, NewCity, and TheOnion weeklies to help you keep tabs on some of the smaller events. (film festivals @ Gene Siskel, outdoor Shakespeare, theater performances, etc.) Have fun exploring the city!

The Catatonics (grad student a cappella singers) and SPG (grad student improv comedy) are combining forces one more time, and you won’t want to miss it! Live music and live comedy – two great tastes that taste great together – for free!

There will be singing (from the Catatonics), improv (from SPG), and maybe even some improvisational singing =b.

Friday, May 28
7pm
Northwestern University
Technological Institute, LR2
2145 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208 US

Light snacks will be provided. Parking is available in the lot across the street (@ Sheridan and Noyes)

The NU Community Jazz Bands will be playing for us and it will be a boppin’ good time. We expect a great turnout, so this is a good opportunity to bring friends and meet new people. As always, there will be a free beginner lesson at 7pm and the music starts at 8pm.

Swing Dance with NU Jazz Bands
Norris University Center Louis Rm (2nd floor)
8pm – 11pm
May 23rd, Sunday
beginner lesson @ 7pm
only $5 w/ Wildcard, $7 otherwise

A portion of the proceeds will go to the NU Jazz Bands, so more people showing up = more monetary support for them!

Swing Dance with Live Music ft. The Rhythm Rockets
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Louis Room, Norris University Center, Northwestern University
7pm FREE Lesson
8pm – 11pm – Swing Dance
$5 w/ Wildcard, $7 general admission