The Track with Ryan Swift
Lindy Hop dancer and DJ Helena Martins sits down with host Ryan Swift to talk dance and music.
info_outline The Track - E053 - Julia LovingThe Track with Ryan Swift
In this episode, I am joined by dancer, organizer, and educator Julia Loving. Julia has been a Teacher of Africana History and School Media Specialist in the New York City public schools for the past 27 years, and began Lindy Hopping in 2013. In addition to being a mainstay at social dances in her native New York City, she organizes dance events in Harlem as co-founder of , and is the creator of undergarments for dancers. Julia currently serves on the Boards of the and the . Julia joined me by video from her Bronx home to talk about growing up in the Bronx during the , memories of watching...
info_outline The Track - E052 - Giselle AnguizolaThe Track with Ryan Swift
In this episode, I am joined by dancer, instructor, and musician, . Giselle has been swing dancing for over 20 years, and is founder of , an organization honoring women in swing music and dance through weekend festivals around the globe. Widely renowned for her as a performer and instructor, Giselle spends most of her days singing and dancing with in New Orleans and San Diego. Giselle joined me by video chat from her home in San Diego to talk about finding swing dancing thanks to a middle school music teacher, the importance of recognizing followers in their own right, and what it means when...
info_outline The Track - E051 - Gordon AuThe Track with Ryan Swift
Trumpeter and bandleader Gordon Au joins host Ryan Swift
info_outline The Track - E050 - For FrankieThe Track with Ryan Swift
We celebrate this milestone 50th episode of The Track with a collection of stories from past episodes about the Ambassador of Lindy Hop, Frankie Manning.
info_outline The Track - E049 - Evita ArceThe Track with Ryan Swift
Dancer and instructor Evita Arce joins host Ryan Swift.
info_outline The Track - E048 - Caleb TeicherThe Track with Ryan Swift
Tap Dancer, Lindy Hopper, and choreographer Caleb Teicher joins host Ryan Swift
info_outline The Track - E047 - Dr. Christi Jay WellsThe Track with Ryan Swift
Swing dancer and musicologist Dr. Christi Jay Wells joins host Ryan Swift
info_outline The Track - E046 - Marie N'diayeThe Track with Ryan Swift
Instructor, performer, and choreographer Marie N'diaye joins host Ryan Swift
info_outline The Track - E045 - Felix BerghällThe Track with Ryan Swift
Swedish instructor, performer, and choreographer Felix Berghäll joins host Ryan Swift
info_outlineThis month, I am joined by the Queen of Swing herself, Norma Miller. Growing up behind the famous Savoy Ballroom, she joined Whitey's Lindy Hoppers as a young teenager and has spent over 80 years in show business as a dancer, choreographer, comedian, and writer. She competed in the inaugural Harvest Moon Ball in 1935, performed on Broadway, in films like Hellzapoppin' and A Day at the Races, and around the world as a dancer and leader of the Norma Miller Dancers and Norma Miller's Jazzmen. She has performed along side a who's who of music, dance, and comedy legends, including Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Bill Robinson, and Redd Foxx.
Norma joined me at Uptown Swingout in Minneapolis to talk about dancing at the Savoy Ballroom, the Apollo Theater, and the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, traveling to Europe and Brazil as one of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, and performing on stage and screen. We also discussed standup comedy, her thoughts on dance and music, and her experience in the swing revival spreading Lindy Hop around the world.