Our guests in this episode are two incredible bachata dancers that have an instantly recognizable style that focuses on intricate footwork with smooth transitions and isolations. They have so much flow, flavour, and a lot of wisdom about life too. Cristian is originally from the Dominican Republic but did not start his dance journey until he arrived in Spain, where he would later meet Katerina at a dance club. Katerina is from Russia and her dance career started when she was 4 years old which would take her to China and later to Spain.

Cristian and Katerina manage the Bachata Crew Instagram page where they promote traditional Dominican bachata videos and have been teaching online since the pandemic started, you can visit their website bachatacrew.com for more information.

Follow Cristian & Katerina:

www.facebook.com/Cristianykaterina/

www.instagram.com/cristianykaterina/

Follow Bachata Crew:

www.facebook.com/groups/311155745696345/

www.instagram.com/thebachatacrew/

Sponsorships:

This episode is sponsored by internationally renowned Cuban artists, Wilmer y Maria. If you want to learn how to dance or improve your afro-rumba and Cuban dance skills, visit their website wilmerymaria.com. They currently have 5 different online classes for all skill levels that you can sign up for now. Again, please visit wilmerymaria.com and sign up for a class today.

In this episode we chat with Tina Cavicchio and Kyla Hallums. Tina is a queer woman who was in the first wave of female leads in the Boston dance scene. She founded Next Level, a dance company with inclusivity, empowerment, and acceptance at its core. Kyla never thought she would be a dancer or a dance instructor but her entire life changed when she had a pulmonary embolism in 2015. She has done some incredible work around body positivity for herself and others and is the biggest example of the magic that can happen when you love yourself and connect with your purpose.

Follow Kyla:

https://www.facebook.com/bailawithkyla

https://www.instagram.com/bailawithkyla/?hl=en

Follow Tina:

https://www.facebook.com/tincavicchio

https://www.instagram.com/tinacavicchio/?hl=en

En este episodio podras conocer mas a fondo a Danger y Yunaisy, creadores del Son Moderno. Danger y Yunaisy nacieron y empezaron sus carreras como bailarines en Cuba antes de emigrar a Europa. Conoce sus desafios y sacrificios personales dentro y fuera de Cuba. Aprende ademas las diferencias entre el Son Moderno y el Son Tradicional y por que Danger y Yunaisy creen que el Son Moderno es para todos!

Para saber mas de ellos, siguelos en Facebook e Instagram:

@danger_yunaisy

@yunaisy_farray

@danger_rodriguez

Si quieres aprender de ellos en linea, visita su website:

www.sonmoderno.com

In this episode you will be able to get to know Danger and Yunaisy, creators of Son Moderno. Danger and Yunaisy were born and began their careers as dancers in Cuba before emigrating to Europe. Learn about their personal challenges and sacrifices inside and outside Cuba. Also learn the differences between Son Moderno and Son Tradicional and why Danger and Yunaisy believe that Son Moderno is for everyone!

To stay in the loop about Wilmer and Maria, follow them on Facebook and Instagram:

@danger_yunaisy

@yunaisy_farray

@danger_rodriguez

If you want to learn from them online, visit their website:

www.sonmoderno.com

Last week we did not release a podcast episode in solidarity with the online blackout events which encouraged people to forgo promoting their own work in order to highlight, share and uplift important work furthering the Black Lives Matter movement. We used the time to learn more about the history of oppression in the black community and gather resources to share with our listeners.

Places to donate: https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html

How to be an ally: https://guidetoallyship.com/

Context behind the blackout: https://www.theshowmustbepaused.com/

Books and movies to educate yourself: https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/06/06/871023438/this-list-of-books-films-and-podcasts-about-racism-is-a-start-not-a-panacea

The Black Roots of Salsa documentary: https://www.atticindependent.ch/en/shop/products/black-roots-salsa-licenses-download-movie?fbclid=IwAR3hyUTR75z5zJ1Uw4H3IsyH1ylBTgd-FMW15fmSbbx9Mp6JiiOpZg_5LBI

This episode features Brenda Liew, a latin soloist and dance coach. She founded the Brenda Liew Dance Company, an all ladies dance company in Singapore which offers classes in salsa and bachata shines, body movement training, arm styling secrets, and more. BLDC is also renowned for the many ladies performance teams that kick-ass on stage with powerful yet feminine choreography. Brenda is known globally for her fluid body movement, subtle and controlled musicality, and clear teaching methodology.

Follow Brenda: https://www.instagram.com/brendaliew_official/?hl=en

Visit BLDC: https://www.bldcofficial.com/

En nuestro primer episodio en español entrevistamos a Wilmer y Maria. Esta pareja Cubana tiene la habilidad de dejarte sin palabras cuando los ves bailar. Escucha este episodio para aprender de las vidas de Wilmer y Maria, sus desafios, y sus planes.

Para saber mas de ellos, siguelos en Facebook e Instagram:

@wilmerymariacuba

Si quieres aprender de ellos en linea, visita su website:

www.wilmerymaria.com

In this first fully Spanish episode of Dance Cultura we interviewed Wilmer and Maria. This Cuban couple has the ability to leave you speechless after seeing them dance. Listen to this episode to learn about their lives, challenges and future plans.

To stay in the loop about Wilmer and Maria, follow them on Facebook and Instagram:

@wilmerymaria

If you want to learn from them online, visit their website:

www.wilmerymaria.com

In this episode we interview two pillars of our home dance scene in Toronto from the Araguacu Latin Dance Company. They co-founded the company in 2013 which specializes in Dominican Bachata, Salsa on 2 and Mambo. They are known for their incredible technique, body movement, and pure flavour when they dance. They had a very successful social called Dame Tu bachata for over 4 years here in Toronto and have achieved all of their successes through pure blood sweat and tears and they will not be outworked. We were so inspired listening to their story and cannot wait to see what the future holds for them.

Follow Kim and Geo on their social media:

@kim_araguacu @geovannyricardo @araguacu

Song credit: Scratch the Itch by Quincas Moreira

Don't let appearances deceive you! In this episode, Dali and Annie discuss their dance insecurities and provide some helpful tips to help overcome your own doubts and fears.

Song credit: Scratch the Itch by Quincas Moreira

In this episode, we share how the name of the podcast came to be, our motivations for this project, and a little about ourselves!

The Dance Cultura Podcast coming soon! Stay tuned for episode releases!