What's That Weird Hand Dance Video? Meet Irish Dancers Cleary & Harding.

This wacky and mesmerizing video has been rapidly climbing the viral charts since its debut on YouTube four months ago. A strange song accompanies a man and a woman at a table in front of an oddly decorated wall engaging in a choreographed 'hand dance.'




What is it? Who are these people? If these questions have plagued you like they did me, read on.

  

It turns out that this video, We Speak No Americano, is from Up & Over It, self-described as "Irish Dance for the Post-pop generation." A collaboration between Suzanne Cleary, Peter Harding and Jonny Reed, Up & Over It aims to stretch the concept of Irish Dance to its limits.

 

The duo spent four years with Riverdance, after which they toured with Magic of the Dance where they were quickly appointed artistic directors. They now perform as Up & Over It for live audiences and has created a series of videos of their performances as well as some multimedia films produced by Puck Productions.

Here's a few more of their videos for you.

Cleary & Harding live in Cardiff 2010, Music: Frankmusik - 3 Little Words:




A multimedia production for Up & Over It Spring 2010:




Here's a reel of behind the scenes, outakes and 'bloopers' if you will. Compiled by Johnny reel they call it their "Best Bits" and it really endears you to Suzanne Cleary and Peter Harding:




Up & Over It

Meet Marcel The Shell With Shoes On.

If you haven't yet met Marcel, you're missing out. So let me introduce you.



Marcel the Shell with shoes on is a delightful little character in this stop motion animated short directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp and voiced (not enhanced) by actress, comedienne, writer and 2009-2010 SNL cast member Jenny Slate. The short film was written by both Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp.

Sweet and sad (in a Charlie Brown sort of way), Marcel has gone viral in a big way. And you can see why. Just watch the 3 minute and 20 second video below.




above left: Jenny Slate, the voice and co-creator of Marcel the shell, above right.

Marcel is so adored, he even made the New York magazine matrix - in the HighBrow/ Brilliant quadrant!


Marcel:


"Bestie by Bestie," is a web series about friendship that the former SNL star and her comedy partner (and life long bestie) Gabe Liedman screen at their weekly stand-up show. The video series is also directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp and the premiere episode can be viewed here.

Special thanks to my friend Jean Rhode who turned me onto this little guy.

UPDATE:
Now there's more Marcel to love. Check out the sequel, new book, and mobile apps here!

Colorful Credit -The PANTONE Platinum VISA Rewards Card In 5 PMS Colors.

And the Pantone Parade of Products marches on. The latest product to brandish the Pantone brand name and five of their trendy colors for 2011 is a credit card. Whether you're buying groceries, paying the dry cleaner or getting Sparky groomed for the dog show, now you can do it in style, with the new PANTONE Visa® Platinum Rewards Card.



Are you a Dynamic Firecracker? Or more of a Spiritual Lavender? The PANTONE Visa Platinum Rewards Card comes in five exciting hues, selected from the PANTONE Fashion Color Report for Spring 2011. One of these colorful cards is bound to express your Inner Shopper.

PANTONE 18-4039 Regatta
trustworthy, noble, generous

PANTONE 15-4825 Blue Curacao
sensuous, tender, inviting

PANTONE 14-0941 Beeswax
warm, sincere, generous

PANTONE 16-1452 Firecracker
cheerful, dynamic, tuned in

PANTONE 15-3817 Lavender
insightful, intuitive, spiritual


The PANTONE Visa Platinum Rewards Card comes with benefits like No Annual Fee, a Low Introductory APR, Travel Insurance and more. Plus using your PANTONE Visa Card can earn you points at participating retailers redeemable for great rewards including free and discounted travel to global destinations, name-brand merchandise, tickets to top sporting events and theatrical attractions – and the list goes on and on.


Apply for your PANTONE Visa Platinum Rewards Card here

The Pantone Visa® Platinum Rewards card is issued by UMB Bank, N.A. All applications for Pantone Visa credit card accounts will be subject to UMB Bank N.A.'s approval, at its absolute discretion. Certain exclusions may apply to benefits listed above. Please visit www.cardpartner.com/app/pantone for further details of terms and conditions which apply to the Pantone Visa card program.

info and images courtesy of Pantone and VISA

Evian by Issey Miyake, The Newest Limited Edition Designer Bottles.

Each year evian introduces a new limited edition collector series of bottles. Last year was the Paul Smith collection and prior to that Baccarat and Jean Paul Gaultier, preceded by Christian Lacroix. This years' bottle has been decorated by Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake, with a flower inspired by his innovative pleated clothes.



This year, evian® and MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO signed a pure bottle, glowing with both optimism and freshness.



Sprung from ISSEY MIYAKE, the innovative pleated clothes of the designer, an imaginary shimmering flower decorates the most essential source of life, symbol of youth, the natural mineral water evian®. Thanks to this new design, evian® and MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO turn the end of the year tables into a flower field, full of poetry and humor. This bottle will exist in two versions, one of them sold exclusively at ISSEY MIYAKE shops.





Where you can find the bottles in the United States:
TRIBECA ISSEY MIYAKE 119 Hudson Street New York NY 10013 Tel +1 212 226 0100 PLEATS PLEASE ISSEY MIYAKE 128, Wooster Street New York NY 10012 Tel +1 212 226 3600 for bottle locations outside of the US, check evian.com

Issey Miyake Pleats Please

Justice Bodan Does Disney Signature, A Special Collection Of Magical Belt Buckles.

From Prince Charming's family crest to a highly stylized "poison apple", this unique and special collection of bronze and sterling silver belt buckles are designed with Disney lovers in mind.

I've introduced you to David Greico and his gorgeous Justice Bodan collection of hand cast belt buckles, leather goods and jewelry and I've blogged about several of Disney's Signature Collections before as well. Now, a collaboration between the two brings us a stylish collection of belt buckles inspired by the Magical Kingdom.

The Dream Buckle (Mickey Mouse):



The Willpower Buckle (Tinkerbell):



The Destiny Buckle (the poison apple):



The Creativity Buckle (Stylized Mickey Ears):



The Inspired Buckle (Button From Mickey's Shorts):



The Strength Buckle (Prince Charming Crest):



Photos by Jonathan Neil Schneider

Each beautifully crafted buckle is available in bronze ($225), white bronze ($245) or sterling silver ($1,200 - $1,210)with your choiceof a brown or black leather belt.


Buy them here.