Skye and Remy seem a lot looser and more energetic here. Perhaps because they've done it a few more times by this point. Or maybe it's because the energy level of the audience is just so high. People are just losing it almost right at the beginning. Their solos are also quite different here, more playful and silly.

I haven't even mentioned the bands yet. Both times they perform to the same song, but to different bands -- Naomi Uyama and Her Handsome Devils in Snowball and Sage Min's band at AJW. That of course has a huge effect on the dancers and what they have to work with.

I'm not really sure which version I like better at this point. I think after seeing them both several times, I have to say I appreciate different things about both.

It's a good reminder that even with "set" choreography by the same performers, you never really see the same piece twice. There are so many factors that go into the dance that make it unique and impossible to perfectly reproduce every time. Which is one of the things that makes lindy hop so damn exciting.

Hattip: Shelby Johnson for bringing these clips to my attention.