Jovon Miller joins the Jazz Babies to talk about his journey from clarinet player to tap dancer. We learn about his passion for teaching, and his current class/passion 'Anyone Can Tap.' Keep an eye out for Jovon's iLindy class, coming soon!!
Ariel Goh joins the Jazz Babies to talk about her dance history from Swing Kids to Rocketeers. We also chat about the importance of staying grounded, and a dance event in a Polish salt mine.
This week we have the unstoppable dynamic duo, Ally Gale and Mel Khaw! We chat about our love of practice and loving the process, conflicted feelings around choreo vs improv in comps, dance fashion, and why Ally does not poo.
This week Jazz Babies transforms into the Full Suit Podcast to talk fine clothes and fashion history with Levi Nelson. We shortly deviate from the fashion discussion to explore how Levi brings so much emotion into his dancing, getting angry inspired, and of course about brining the JUICE. Levi also announces their new new practice group the The Phrase Traders starting this this month! https://www.facebook.com/groups/phrasetraders/
Say Yes to Noh, Justin Noh joins us for the podcast this week!!! We chat about his downtown Disney dance story, navigating envy & competitions, and we tease a SECRET SEATTLE SOLO JAZZ PROJECT!
Nearly every evening Herrang hosts educational "Library Talks", consisting of presentations and discussions from dancers, musicians, and jazz historians. In this episode you'll be listening to a few excerpts from those talks. In order of appearance:
Yana Samanyantz, the DJ boss, clarifying the "no-no list" and the Herrang DJ philosophy.
Maka talking about swing and R&B shuffle rhythms and playing Night & Day by Earl Bostic and Sant Andreu Jazz Band & Joan Chamorro ft. Magali Datzira.
Bobby White's presentation on the Harvest Moon Ball throughout the century.
Marie N'diaye discussing CVFC and the Lindy Hop "community".
Brea Michele gives her presentation titled, "Justice or Just Steps" Overcoming Jim Crow in Lindy Hop. And then discussing black face in vintage clips.
An interview with Denise Harris Minns, the daughter of Al Minns.
It's your friend and mine, Bailey Keefe!!! The chatty trio talk about the Corvallis scene, Chris and Bailey's LindyBout 1st place mix & match competition, and feeling confident in a jumpsuit!
Holy Moly it's Lily Cory! Prepare to bless your ears with all the goody goodness that Lily has to share. We cover topics such as dance values, thoughts on leading and follow, solo jams, mentorship, bandwidth & burnout, and the challenges running safety team.
Strap in y'all, it's Seattle's own international dance instructor Lauren Smith! We talk about EVERYTHING: moving to seattle, teaching philosophy, vintage style vs vintage values, the style wars, elements that make a good event, times she thought she's quit, and the differences in self expression when it comes to balboa vs lindy hop.
CW: Today's episode contains topics centering Domestic Violence
Legendary Haily Holt sits down with the Jazz Babies this week after her recent history making accomplishment at Camp Hollywood 2023 making finals as both a lead and final in the Shag competition. Haily recounts her swing dance journey, including sharing her domestic violence survivor story with a former dance partner. The conversation also explores the history of Shag, what music moves Haily to dance shag vs bal vs lindy, and the growing Shag community in the PNW.
Links for Domestic Violence Support:
Today we're joined by the host of the SoCal Summer Swingout podcast and star of the Lindy Hop movie Ctrl + Alt + Dance, Andry Rakotomalala! We get into navigating spicy scene gossip, the joys and struggles of podcasting, and what it feels like final-ing in 4 comps!
Follow the Socal Summer Swingout podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/6MMErwvTUBlWtjHoXt4P31?si=b7a665c58f4b4b95
And on instagram @Socalsummerswingout
On the last night (morning) of Camp Hollywood, we huddled together in the hotel lobby with the killer diller herself Nora West! Nora and Lou discuss their experiences as first timers and Chris spreads the gospel of hotel bathrobes. The conversation meanders from fashion, to competitions, to Beyonce swingouts, to "nootching" camp hollywood! Lastly, find out why Chris VOWS NEVER TO RETURN to Camp Hollywood... with one caveat.
Star of Reality TV show Nerd FC, @Robin Chow joins the podcast to talk about why he owes his dancing career to the the 2004 hip hop dance documentary, You Got Served, his thoughts on social dancing, and the friction that exists between lindy, blues, and fusion.
This week we talk to one of our main dance influences, the hilarious and talented Elaine Buchignani! Elaine runs the Swing Dance SCT studio with her husband Stefan (who we talk to in episode 3) and Ben White. Elaine gets into her dance history that starts with her first memory as a child, the value of watching vintage clips, and the upcoming brand new New Year's Eve West Coast dance weekend - Stormy Weather.
Lou’s heart is in New Orleans, which is tough because they live in Seattle. On this episode Lou takes the Jazz Babies Pod on their last trip to New Orleans and channels This American Life’s storytelling format to explore the connection between Nola and Seattle through interviews with Tom Yi, Byron Stuart, Amber Rachelle, and a special appearance by Kate Paisley.
This week we were lucky to the chat with the one and only Caroline Riley by day, Sabella by night! Caroline dives into her love for dancing to all types of music, ending her time as president of Savoy Swing Club, and the joy of cheering and laughing loud.
Apologies for the audio issues, we're still working things out!!
Kelly Six sits down with us to catch recap Camp Jitterbug 2023. We discuss Kelly's dance history along side the romance with her husband John Le, professional levels of emergency snacks, and juxtaposing the hunger for learning more and grinding with the validitiy of not engaging in "hustle culture".
In the FINAL episode of our Camp Jitterbug series, we camp out in the hallway outside Century Ballroom during the final night of Camp Jitterbug to chat with a slew of dancers and ask them all about their dance feelings!
Guests on this episode include (but are not limited too) - Justin "SayYesTo" Noh, Liandra Sankalis, Caroline Riley-Sabella, Morgan Faithe Harrell, and Tonya Morris.
Find Morgan Faithe Harrell's short film here - https://youtu.be/ScSWuzPSPac
Btw, thank you for hanging with us as we learn the ups and downs of capturing sound!!
During a volunteer shift for Camp Jitterbug Chris sits down with Emma Kelly, Hannah Fenske, and Brad Dragt. They chat the best way to enjoy the event, dance fashion, and finding the dance life you want to live.
It's Part 3 of our Camp Jitterbug series! We brought a mic around Cal Anderson Park across the street from Centruy Ballroom and talked to dancers in their down time. Hear from our friends from LA and Spokane, the realities of being on the safety team, and all of our dreams and wishes for next years Camp Jitterbug . Specail thanks to all out interviewees: Chris Walters, Alyssa Lobkov, Damian Cade, Leah Richardson, Paul Riding, Laura Evans, Nika Jin, Lexie briggs, and Rachel “Honeybees”.