The Track - 054 - Helena Martins
The Track with Ryan Swift
Lindy Hop dancer and DJ Helena Martins sits down with host Ryan Swift to talk dance and music.
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The Track - E053 - Julia Loving
The 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...
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The Track - E052 - Giselle Anguizola
The 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...
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The Track - E051 - Gordon Au
The Track with Ryan Swift
Trumpeter and bandleader Gordon Au joins host Ryan Swift
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The Track - E050 - For Frankie
The 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.
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The Track - E049 - Evita Arce
The Track with Ryan Swift
Dancer and instructor Evita Arce joins host Ryan Swift.
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The Track - E048 - Caleb Teicher
The Track with Ryan Swift
Tap Dancer, Lindy Hopper, and choreographer Caleb Teicher joins host Ryan Swift
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The Track - E047 - Dr. Christi Jay Wells
The Track with Ryan Swift
Swing dancer and musicologist Dr. Christi Jay Wells joins host Ryan Swift
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The Track - E046 - Marie N'diaye
The Track with Ryan Swift
Instructor, performer, and choreographer Marie N'diaye joins host Ryan Swift
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The Track - E045 - Felix Berghäll
The Track with Ryan Swift
Swedish instructor, performer, and choreographer Felix Berghäll joins host Ryan Swift
info_outlineThis month, I am joined by Moe Sakan. Moe discovered Lindy Hop as a teenager in her native Osaka, Japan, and continued social dancing after moving to London in 2000 to pursue a dream in the performing arts. Injury changed her path and Moe has since become an active competitive swing dancer and instructor. She has won several competition titles, including the 2017 Open Classic Lindy title and four consecutive Jack & Jill titles at Camp Hollywood’s National Jitterbug Championships, and has taught swing dance around the world.
Moe joined me at ILHC to talk about her early training and dreams of becoming a professional broadway dancer, swing dance and vintage culture in both Japan and England, and how video tapes of Southern California dancers drew her to to become a fixture at Camp Hollywood and a 2017 inductee into their Hall of Fame.
We also discussed the unique perspective of learning an American World War II-era dance in modern Japan, and some of her thoughts on what makes a rewarding experience in social swing dance contests like the Luck of the Draw.