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DJ Spotlight – Melissa “Mel T” McAllister

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DJ Spotlight – Melissa “Mel T” McAllister

Melissa “Mel T” McAllister is featured in this edition of the DJ Spotlight!  Melissa is a talented DJ and dancer from the beautiful Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. She brings energetic, fun and positive vibes to the dance community, and we definitely recommend checking out her DJ sets!  She was nominated by Jessica “DJ Tay” Taylor.  Jessica said,  “Melissa is very cool. She DJs mostly Kizomba and Salsa and has been hired by the CoBeat party numerous times. She is super sweet and humble, but works so hard. I don’t think she is given the recognition she deserves.” Check out fun and interesting facts about Melissa including her favorite moment as a DJ and her recommendations for starting a career as a DJ.

Want to nominate someone to be in the DJ or Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

When did you start DJing and what do you remember about your first professional job?

I started DJ’ing in 2013. I was drawn to it by my love and passion for dancing. While pursuing my Master’s degree in Samoa (South Pacific), I became very close to the latin dance community there, and I started to be featured at their socials because of the wide variety of music in my arsenal. The rest is history.

My first professional job though would have to be Salsa Fiesta T&T, which is an international dance congress hosted by my beautiful country, Trinidad and Tobago. The experience was very rewarding although I was exceptionally nervous. I remember just wanting leave my mark and make everyone happy!

What’s been your favorite moment in your DJ career?

I have shared this story many times and I think this will always be my favourite DJ’ing experience. In 2019 at Bachateando Dance Festival, Miami, I was one of three DJs at the silent (headphones) party, which also happened to be the very last event of that FANTABULOUS weekend! We played from midnight till dawn and that sight was just breathtaking. That’s not all though. What made that night the best for me would have been the moment I recognised that the majority of the crowd was vibing to MY music on MY station! The feeling I had in that moment was beyond EPIC, and cemented why I love doing this so much.

You’ve posted a few dance choreographies of yourself and others. Does being a dancer help with your approach to DJ’ing at events/socials?

Oh definitely! As I mentioned before, my love and deep passion for dance are what got me to this point. The dancers are the forefront of my thoughts when deciding on my music selections. I also pay attention to their reactions to certain songs when I am not DJ’ing, to give me an idea of what is favoured and of course while social dancing myself, I think about what and how I can create a memorable, all encompassing vibe while playing.

How do you balance the relationship between your choices and goals as a DJ and the expectations, desires and feedback of the dancers?

As much as I try to please all dancers at a social, I’ve recognised that that simply is impossible. So I aim to please the majority at least. I have also learnt that negative feedback need not be taken personally. I always use my feedback to improve my performance and I do the same with dance. I seek out persons who I know will provide constructive criticism and allow that to guide my development. Interestingly enough during this pandemic as there were no socials to attend, I was forced to focus on my DJ goals and I must admit that this time has allowed me to really put in a lot of work towards self improvement. I am eager to see the effects of my newfound knowledge on dancers when the dancefloors reopen!

What recommendations would you have for those who want to try and DJ?

First of all, it takes a lot of work! Work that never ends (not to mention, costly) so you have to love it. It is an investment in yourself and your craft. It is not just about pressing the play button. You need to be able to understand a crowd, move a crowd, know and understand music, the history of music, understand dance and keep up to date with dance trends and releases. Also, practice, practice, practice. I would definitely recommend doing a lot of research and accumulating music like yesterday! And, of course, start saving money because this passion takes a lot of it!

Why is it important that DJs be connected to and enjoy the music they’re playing for others?

I have always had major respect for music. It is very powerful and so I believe as DJs we are placed in a very powerful/important position, tasked to control the vibe or energy of those listening to the music we play. If I am having fun it is easy to transcend that energy to my listeners. Not to mention I just love music so I genuinely have a good time, every time!

What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…

I could never answer this appropriately because my top 3 changes by the minute. I can never decide, I love too many! However, if you insist, I’d have to say:

Where can dancers find your mixes?

You can find me on any of the following platforms:
Facebook, Soundcloud, Mixcloud & YouTube: @ DJ Mel-T
Twitch & IG: @djmel_t
Website: www.djmel-t.com

Dance Spotlight – Leah Boresow

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Dance Spotlight – Leah Boresow

Leah Boresow is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  She is an Atlanta based dance instructor, performer and choreographer whose talents span across many different genres of dance. Leah also sings! She was nominated by Victor Hernandez Jr. Victor said, “Leah is an amazing soul and a multi-talented dancer who definitely deserves to be featured.” Check out fun and interesting facts about Leah including some of her favorite choreographies that she’s created as well as a dance moment that made her feel proud.

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

What (or who) originally inspired you to try Latin dancing? OR What are your first memories of latin dancing?

I was first introduced seriously to Latin dance when I joined the ballroom dance club at Indiana University. Of course, we were learning latin Ballroom, but my first experience and exposure to social dancing was when I studied dance abroad in Israel. A few friends from the dance academy who where Israeli told us about a Latin club called Candela. We went to check it out and I was amazed at the fun and sexy nature of dance that was going on in that room! Once I got back to the United States to finish my senior year of college, I started seeking out social Latin dance opportunities, and never went back!

Describe a moment or accomplishment in your dance life that made you feel proud?

One of my prouder moments, when I was really exploring the salsa community in Atlanta, was when I pushed myself to do my first solo salsa performance. This came after one of my former dance partners decided to stop dancing with me, even though we had put so much work into a routine together. Though I was very let down, I decided to carry through with my goals and present myself as a solo performer. I came up with the choreography on my own, and it was the first time that the salsa community saw me in that light. I was super proud!

Social Dance Pet Peeve: (Hygiene, No connection, People who talk a lot while dancing, etc)

I would say one of my pet peeves in the social dance world is when somebody rejects dancing with someone after they have invited them to the floor to do so. I understand that everybody has the right to dance with who they want, but I also think that the purpose of social dancing is to go and dance with different people. Mostly, I really dislike it when someone of a higher level doesn’t want to dance with someone of a lower level. I think that the best dancers are those the dance with people of all levels of experience!

Your dance repertoire is very impressive! Which dance style (or genre) inspires you the most creatively and why?

I love being a versatile dancer. It is so fulfilling to be able to bring together all the genres of dance that I have learned in the past and use them for my present and future! It’s really hard to choose which one inspires the most creativity. I would say it depends on the timing of my life… For example, currently I am feeling very creative in theater jazz and want to choreograph a lot more musical theater. But I’m sure that soon enough I’ll get the itch to do something in the contemporary world, where I feel like there is a lot of freedom. And one of my favorite things to do is combine genres together, like doing contemporary Latin, or a Latin jazz fusion of some sort. The possibilities are endless!

Not only is your dance catalog diverse, but you also provide choreography for all these dance styles. What is your methodology for creating choreography and do you have a favorite among your many choreographies?

Yes, in addition to dancing, teaching, and performing, choreographing is one of my absolute favorite things! I feel like I get to paint canvases all the time. Usually my process starts with listening to the song for the choreography many times. Usually while doing this, I’ll start to get inspired and have ideas that I need to try out. I craft counts and musicality, and write it all down like a mad scientist. From there it’s just trial and error! As far as picking a favorite from the choreographies that I have, I’m really proud of all of them and I feel like they each have something different about them. If I’m choosing my favorite choreography that I have done for myself, I loved my contemporary cha-cha solo, “Sofrito,“ and my contemporary solo “Seenery.” They were both so much fun to perform !When it comes to my favorite choreography that I have done for others, I am super proud about my newest theater jazz piece, “Le Jazz Hot.” It really shows a more sultry side and gets you wanting to be in the theatre!
(You can view all three choreographies that Leah mentioned below.)

*NOTE. You can find a complete list of Leah’s dance styles at LeahBoresow.com.

You wrote on Facebook, “Leah Boresow Dance believes in building your personal relationship with dance in order to find your success.” What do you love most about helping others grow their relationship with dance?

Being both a dance performer and a dance instructor is all about connecting with either your audience, or with your student. It’s such a beautiful challenge to know that personally, dance is so enriching and gives so much joy. It’s then my task to find out how I can deliver that joy to others and communicate it to them so that it makes sense to them. This is what I love the most! I feel that our art form would be nothing without building relationships. That way, we are personally invested with our passion, and at the same time, we put others’ genuine best interests at heart.

What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…

My musical taste for dancing is super diverse! As far as current songs specifically for Latin dancing that I like to listen to- I found a hidden gem in an artist named C. Tangana. For all things Latin and contemporary, and salsa to “Lo Mejor de Mi” by Yiyo Sarante. But I love dancing salsa to the old classics, like anything by Marc Anthony.

Favorite dance video you’d like to share?

Diamond Rivera – Live Discussions with Diamond Podcast

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Diamond Rivera – Live Discussions with Diamond Podcast

Diamond “DR Filmz” Rivera is the Ryan Seacrest or Joe Rogan of the latin dance community.  Yes, I heard the Seacrest comparison on Facebook and I’m stealing it as it’s fits his role in the community perfectly.  Rivera hails from New York and his podcast, Live Discussions with Diamond, is without a doubt one of the top podcasts dedicated to the latin dance community. One could make the case that it’s the #1 podcast in the community based on how prolific Diamond is with producing content. He’s recorded 120+ episodes in a little over a year (beginning in 2020) and has featured some of the most influential figures in the latin dance scene including Jorge “Ataca” Burgos and Tanja “La Alemana” Kensinger, Frankie Martinez, and DJ Soltrix. The podcast is informative and entertaining, and touches on topics that are important to the community. It’s definitely worth a listen!

You can check out the show on Facebook, YouTube and TuBachataRadio.com!

Below are a couple of my favorite shows.  Check them out and/or visit the links above to find more great content!

New York International Salsa Congress – 10% Discount

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Ready to go dancing in the Big Apple? We have a special offer for the 2023 New York International Salsa Congress! Enter the promo code “SDCNY” when selecting your tickets and receive a 10% discount on the purchase price of any ticket/pass.  That’s an incredible deal for tickets to a premier congress in one of the worlds greatest cities for salsa dancing.

The Congress is held annually on Labor Day weekend (August 31 – September 4th) and brings the world together for a week of Latin music, dancing, performances and live bands! This year the event will be held at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square NYC.

Want a preview of the congress? Check out the recap video of the 2019 edition and then click below to get your tickets! Don’t forget to use promo code “SDCNY” for your 20% discount!

Get your pass here!

DJ Spotlight – DJ Afrodeshiak

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DJ Spotlight – DJ Afrodeshiak

DJ Ambrose (Amber) “Afrodeshiak” Johnson is featured in this edition of DJ Spotlight! Amber is from Nashville, but currently lives in Baltimore and is one of the leading Kizomba DJs on the latin dance scene. She was was nominated by Jessica “DJ Tay” Taylor. Jessica said, “Amber has been killing the Kizomba game for awhile despite how hard it can be for female DJs to gain visibility. She is super active and also works to uplift other female DJs.” Check out some fun facts and information on DJ Afrodeshiak including how she got her DJ name and her favorite moment in her DJ career thus far.

Want to nominate someone to be in the DJ Spotlight? Contact us!

When did you first get into DJ’ing and what inspired you to enter the profession?

Oh, man. I could drop some names with this story but I’ll keep in simple. Like many things in my life, this started from a Facebook group chat. Me and some friends wanted to bring a TOP lady kizomba teacher from EU, but an organizer on the west coast said he did not want to because she was “old”. He said he would rather bring Sara Lopez because she was young, hot, and had a nice booty. We were upset and decided to do an all lady kizomba event. Well, we searched the whole world and could not find a lady kizomba DJ. So I said I would learn. I had one year to get to the point where others would want to dance to my music (laughs). I did the event, and it was a success!

I’m very proud of this event. It was the first all ladies kizomba event. Men and women came to take classes and yes we brought over the EU teacher that we wanted. She did great and it lead to her coming many many times to America.

How did you get the name DJ Afrodeshiak?

My DJ name! I usually have an Afro and when people see my hair they get excited. An aphrodisiac is something that gets people “excited” so that’s where my name came from. My Afro gets people excited (laughs). That’s why I’m DJ Afrodeshiak!

What’s been your favorite moment and/or event in your DJ career? Why?

I would have to say it was the 2019 One Kiz Festival. I did a really experimental set of American music. I was unsure of how it was gonna go, but a lot of people liked it and still talk about it to the day. It was 5:30 in the morning and I played the nastiest, most freaky songs I had (laughs). What can I say…dancers like to be in the mood.

How do you balance the relationship between your choices and goals as a DJ and the expectations, desires and feedback of the dancers?

Hmmm. This is a good question. The two are often not aligned. I think I have a formula. I try to play 3 popular songs for every “new” or “experimental” song that I want to play. That way the dancers can have what they want while I can still try to introduce new things and ideas to them. I have to say though I mostly just do what the dancers want.

What recommendations would you have for those who want to be a professional DJ?

Am I a professional? (laughs). I still think of this as a hobby that blew up. But, if someone wants to be a professional, I recommend they get a nice computer with lots of memory, at least 8gb, preferably 16. A solid state 1TB hard drive. Then, start collecting music. Listen to music constantly. It should take up all your free time the first few years. Listen to other DJs. Buy some equipment and start training and practicing. Also, play for free at your local scene for a year or two; don’t go out and try to get booked after 6 months. You are gonna make a lot of mistakes and better to make them in front of people who support and love you then a crowd of 600 at an event who don’t know you and are comparing you to DJ Soltrix! (laughs).

I read an amusing interaction you shared on Facebook between yourself and a potential promoter who wanted to compensate you with exposure instead of money. (Post here.) As an artist, why is it important for DJs to be compensated appropriately for gigs?

It is important to compensate DJs because we put in a lot of time into making everyone have a great time. A two hour set can take three hours of prep work. If we have a great set, it’s because we put hours and hours into it. With that being said, if you are a new DJ you don’t have to be compensated with money, but at the minimum flight and accommodations should be taken care of.

What are some of the main challenges of being a black woman in the DJ scene? How do you overcome these challenges?

Being a black woman…I don’t think it’s a challenge. I think it is an asset! The kizomba scene is majority black women. Many of the big event organizers are black women (One Kiz, Afro Summer, Sawa Sawa, Gindungo, MBKF). I play for black women. Black women are my biggest supporters. Black women bought me my first DJ controller when I was broke and wanted to start. Black women gave me my first DJ gigs, the forced me to play for people when I thought I was not good enough, and they hyped me up and gave me confidence in the group chat. So I choose to use this as my biggest advantage. The only “challenge” if there was one, was other DJs underestimating me, but this is not an issue anymore. This is all here in America. Maybe if I was in EU I would think differently.

What techniques do you use to keep dancers engaged and energized?

I try to read the crowd. Before my set I’ll walk around and ask dancers how they think the party is going and what music they want to hear they they haven’t heard. Especially if there are other DJs in the crowd.

Where can we find your mixes?

SoundCloud DJ Afrodeshiak IG

Amber Rose Facebook Page

 

DJ Spotlight – DJ Koki Lizonde

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DJ Spotlight – DJ Koki Lizonde

DJ Koki Lizonde is featured in this edition of DJ Spotlight! Koki currently lives in Orlando, but is a native of Lima, Peru. He is not only an excellent dancer, but he is also an accomplished DJ and he works several congresses and events each year.  He was was nominated by De’Jon Polanski. De’Jon said, “Koki is incredible dancer and DJ. He really know his craft and I’d consider him a music guru!” Check out some fun facts and information on Koki including his favorite moments as a DJ and his DJ pet peeves!

Want to nominate someone to be in the DJ Spotlight? Contact us!

When did you start DJing and what do you remember about your first professional job?

I started DJ’ing in 2010 at the Universal Mambo Dance Academy where I used to teach, perform and was part of the professional dance team. What I remember from the first the time I played there is how amazing it felt to be able to move a crowd through music, the connection between music and dance, and dancers to the music. It was truly amazing experience that I get to relive every time I play at an event.

What’s been your favorite moment in your DJ career? (Moment at a dance event, wedding, private event, etc)

My favorite moments are traveling, meeting new people and dancers from around the world, and seeing the joy and smiles on their faces when they dance. This is the reason why I love DJ’ing.

DJ Pet Peeve(s)?: (Dancers hit your DJ station, requesting too many songs, issues with organizers, etc)

When dancers request a song and they don’t know the name or artist of the song they want me to play! And some event organizers don’t care much about the quality of sound at their events.

What’s your strategy for keeping a social or event fun?

No strategy at all. I just read the crowd and play what I feel in the moment.

What would you say is the most rewarding part of being a DJ?

Being able to travel, meet new friends, and being able to make them forget about everything else in the world like their problems or other issues. Through music I want to make them happy for a moment. To me, that’s priceless.

What are you looking forward to the most as the dance community begins to recover from the pandemic?

I’m looking forward to continuing to play what I love and make dancers fall in love with Salsa again.

It seems that you really enjoy collaborating with other DJs. What do you enjoy most about Co-Beat parties?

When I feel a music connection with a colleague I love collaborating with them. CoBeat parties are a great initiative for DJs who were only able to play at events before.  They allow DJs to get more exposure and create friendships with other DJs from around the world. It’s awesome and I’ve made great friends doing those.

Where can dancers find your mixes online?

My Facebook Page and profile has lots of music from Facebook Live streams that I’ve been doing for years. I’m on MixCloud and have two YouTube Channels.

YouTube Channels:

Should I Take Offence When Someone Does Not Dance With Me?

Chilly Alisar
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Should I Take Offence When Someone Does Not Dance With Me?

One day at a Salsa social, I was talking to a friend of mine (in this post lets refer to her as Carol). Now Carol was quite a popular female dancer in the scene; she was light on her feet and had so much natural style that everyone wanted to dance with her.

We had been chatting for a few seconds when a song came on that Carol absolutely hates and will never dance to. A guy (lets call him Jim) who was still new to the scene  picked this song to make his very first approach. Jim walked over to us, put his hand out and very politely asked Carol for a dance. Carol said with an apologetic look on her face – “Not to this song honey, lets dance to the next one.” Then bam, there it was – the look on Jim’s face – his warm inviting smile turned into a sad and confused stare like he had just been sucker punched. He turned around awkwardly and walked away like a puppy that had just been kicked.

Carol and I continued chatting and after a few minutes the next song came on. Carol starts to wrap up our conversation and she turns around to see if Jim is making his way back to her for their dance, but surprisingly she sees Jim approaching another Woman and asking her to dance. Then off they head onto the dance floor. As Carol saw him dancing with someone else, she shrugged it off and then came back to our conversation. I asked Carol if she knew that Jim must have thought she was coming up with an excuse not to dance with him and her response was, “I told him the truth. He should have come back to me a 2nd time before making up his mind.”

At the end of the night, I found Carol and I asked her if Jim had ever come back to her for that dance and she said – “No, I think you are right. I think he thought I was making an excuse.”

Now Carol is an amazing dancer and she always has guys eagerly waiting to dance with her at socials. By Jim taking offence where none was intended, he was eliminating an amazing dancer off his list. The loss was his.

After this incident, I thought about it and I asked, should Jim have taken offence that Carol did not dance with him? Why did Jim take offence in the first place? After thinking about it for a while, I finally realised it boils down to 2 reasons:

  1. Rejection hurts; &
  2. Unconsciously, we feel entitled to a yes when we ask for a dance.

That’s right, when we ask someone to dance, we are not really asking. We are simply following a list of steps that should lead to the dance we have been ‘promised’ because we have bothered to show up. Only a Yes would suffice and any other response feels like like a violation of the social contract promised by the community. So when a No or any other form of denial comes out, feelings get hurt.

Then I went deeper down the rabbit hole & took things from Carol’s perspective. While Carol did not like the song, whatever her reasons, is she really expected to say yes to every dance request? It turns out, the more popular a dancer you are, the higher the likelihood people expect you to be a ‘Dancing monkey‘. Dancing monkeys are not allowed to get tired, take a break, go to the toilet, or even have the audacity to want to choose whom they want to dance with and when. Any time they exercise any of these rights, they are labelled as rude or snobs.

I know dancers (both male and female) who are so popular that they will quite literally have a que of 10 people waiting to dance with them. Think about this for a moment, if they get tired or want to take a break after 6 or 7 dances, the remaining 3 people who are left standing on the side of the dance floor will take this decision very personally and some might even quit dancing citing this as the reason.

Can you imagine the pressure being placed on these individuals to say Yes to every dance?

So how should you handle rejection? My advice, while some excuses may feel like the person is politely blowing you off,  you should take them at their word. For example:

  • I will come and find you
  • I have a few people I need to dance with first, but we can dance later
  • I am taking a break (my feet hurt)
  • Not to this song, maybe later

Note: If a person is mean or rude, that is a whole different story and call them on it and then cut them off. No one needs that negativity in their life.

Now what if the person gives you an excuse and then immediately starts dancing with someone else? I say give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe that person they are dancing with is their favourite dancer and is not someone they can  say no to.

Now if a dancer keeps on avoiding you over a period of time or just says No every time you ask them to dance,  my advice would be to take notice – is it just the 1 dancer or is this happening with lots of different dancers?
a. If its just the 1 person, then its  all about them and its got nothing to do with you. Let it go and live your life.
b. If its lots of different people and you actually never get the dances you want, then take responsibility. The chances are there is probably something that you can improve that is currently working against you:

  1. If you are a guy, maybe you are forceful and hurt ladies when you dance. Or maybe your hands wander where they are not supposed to? For the ladies, maybe you don’t follow very well, or you loose timing or maybe you look angry when you dance?
  2. Do the smell test and make sure you smell good and that you don’t sweat all over your partner. There is a very thin line where sweat goes from acceptable to uncomfortable to downright unsightly. You need to be aware of how much you perspire and make sure this is not scaring people off.
  3. Rotate your dance requests. Don’t ask the same 5 people to dance all night long. I see lots of dancers who only ask the really popular dancers to dance, but never think about asking the beginners or intermediate dancers. Dance with all people of all different levels.

At the end of the day remember:

  1. You are not entitled to any dance. Every dance is a request that can be met with either a Yes or No
  2. No one is a dancing monkey. So you will never get all the dances that you want when you want them
  3. Take responsibility for your dancing and your happiness
  4. Know why you dance and let no one take that joy away from you

Post your comment and let me know what you think. Keep Dancing Always…

The Sustainable Social Dancer: Eco-Friendly and Ethical Dance Shoes

Georgia Grace
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The Sustainable Social Dancer: Eco-Friendly and Ethical Dance Shoes

Americans throw away more than 10 million tons of clothes, or about 80 pounds per person, every year. And the EPA estimates that about 84 percent of those clothes go into landfills, where they take decades to biodegrade.

Many of these clothes and shoes are produced in developing countries with unfair wages, unsafe working conditions, and child labor.

Celebrities like Emma Watson and Gwyneth Paltrow are calling attention to the production of clothes, shoes, and accessories and championing sustainable fashion by wearing and promoting fair-trade, recycled, and organic pieces.

This year, I started trying to buy only sustainably/ethically produced or recycled clothing. Some items, likes socks, underwear, and basic tees, are easy to find and relatively inexpensive in ethical and organic versions. Other items, like purses, shoes, and jeans, are readily available secondhand at stores like Plato’s Closet and websites like thredUP.com and eBay.

But then I started considering dance shoes, and was a little stumped. eBay has thousands of pairs of dance shoes for sale, but a lot of them are brand new. Some of the new shoes sell for as low as $3.18,  so I can guess they are probably not being produced with ethical standards.

I’m not against buying secondhand shoes, although I know that many consider it unhygienic. It’s a little easier to gauge the cleanliness and wear of a pair of used shoes that you see in person though. I have a pair of oxfords I bought at Plato’s Closet that looked like they had probably been worn once that I wear as dance shoes. The sole is smooth and easy to turn in, they’re comfortable, and I just shook a little bit of baking soda around in them before wearing them.

There aren’t too many options for transparently ethical and eco-friendly dance shoes, but here’s what I found. Consider one of these brands next time you need a new pair.

Ethical Wares

UK-based Ethical Wares touts itself as a seller of “cruelty free footwear and lifestyle accessories.” They currently carry 12 different styles of men and women’s dance shoes, all vegan. The shoes are made using a leather substitute called Lorica, synthetic “suede,” patent and/or satin, depending on the style. According to Ethical Wares website, most of their dance shoes are manufactured in the UK and they work closely with suppliers and manufactures  to ensure “worker friendly credentials.” The shoes start around £75, or approximately $100 USD/€85, and ship internationally.

Ladies shoes also available in ‘flesh’ color.

 

Taygra Dance Shoes

Brazil-based company Taygra only sells dance and fitness sneakers, but the sneaks aim to be as eco-friendly as possible. According to Taygra’s website, the shoes are made of 100 percent recyclable material. All of the scraps from production are recycled, the shoes use a non-toxic water-based glue to minimize environmental impact, and the company does not outsource any of the manufacturing. The sneakers are machine washable and have a smooth sole, you can turn in them. They carry mens and women’s styles, starting at $71.95 for on sale styles, and ship internationally.

GoLatinDance.com is an affiliate of Taygra Dance Shoes!

Taygra’s come in bright bold colors as well as more muted options.

Saint Savoy

Named for the iconic Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, Vienna-based Saint Savoy makes men and women’s shoes inspired by the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.  Saint Savoy’s website and Facebook page say they source the leather for the shoes according to German PCP regulations and European environmental standards. Although they don’t give too many details about production, their website says they ensure fair working conditions and their social media features pictures of shoes being produced by hand in Europe.

The shoes are higher end, with prices ranging from €165-220, (approx $200-$265 USD), and ship internationally. There are styles on sale for less on their website and they run specials or sell discounted shoes with slight defects on social media.

Retro-vintage styles for Lindy Hop, Swing, Balboa, and more.

Other Options

Very Fine Dance Shoes carries some of their products in vegan (leather free) options, but I couldn’t find much information on their production standards. Capezio has two factories in the US and their web site says “We maintain an ethical, healthy and profitable environment in which each of our employees endeavors to provide excellence in our products and services, while promoting company growth,” but what that means exactly is unclear. There are other companies, like Dance Paws and Cynthia King , that produce cruelty-free dance shoes, but these are less relevant for social dancers (Dance Paws are for barefoot dancing and Cynthia King makes vegan ballet slippers). Dance Socks are made in the USA and are nylon slip-ons that can transform tennis shoes into dance shoes and come in a version that slips over the whole shoe or just the ball of the foot.

Do you own ethically/sustainably produced dance shoes or dance wear? Is the production of dance wear a factor when buying? What are your thoughts/experiences? Share in the comments!

Dance Spotlight – Jessica Lamdon

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Dance Spotlight – Jessica Lamdon

Jessica Lamdon is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  Jessica lives in New York City and is best known as a Brazilian Zouk instructor, performer and choreographer.  She, along with her mentor and dance partner Ry’el Velandia, form a super talented duo that teach the principles of ZenZouk Movement.  She was nominated by Jenny Geska.  Jenny said, “Jessica is such an inspiration for all Zouk dancers, both male and female, and she shines so bright with every move she makes. She inspires fellow dancers to let loose and put their own twist on their dancing.  She has done so much work and research to learn her craft inside and out!” Check out some fun and interesting facts about Jessica including her dance career goals and how she got the nickname ‘Unicorn’!

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

What (or who) originally inspired you to try Zouk?

I was studying abroad in France one summer to further my knowledge of French (I love languages!) and there was a massive group of Brazilians that were part of the program too. It was my first time meeting anyone from Brazil and really hearing Portuguese. I LOVED it. I made a lot of friends and we would meet around campus in this small town. I quickly became enchanted! One day in class they did a little presentation on their culture and showed us one of the dances that they did at home: Forro! I have a ballroom dance background and was amazed to see a couple dancing and improvising.

After this trip I was so over French and so INTO Forro! I spent lots of time looking up Forro videos and I stumbled upon a dancer that completely changed my life, Natasha Terenkhina. In the video she was dancing with Adilio Porto (another living legend) and I was absolutely mesmerized. I felt insanely impassioned, inspired and devastated at the same time.  I was under the impression that if you don’t dance Forro when you’re young that you’ll never get it. But my passion for Forro was really strong and I spent HOURS looking at videos of Natasha and Gilson Demasco, Kadu and Larissa, Braz and Romina, and Solange and Berg or any videos with these couples that were available. I FINALLY took my first class with Kim Rottier, one of the pioneers of Brazilian Zouk in NYC, and my second class with Ry’el Velandia – my now mentor and dance partner.

So, the short answer is the beautiful Brazilian friends I made dancing Forro in France lead me to that INCREDIBLE dance video of my idol Natasha Terenkhina, which lead me to take classes with the brilliant Ry’el. This lead to the incredible life changing path of Brazilian Zouk Lambada.

Who gave you get the nickname ‘Unicorn’ and why?

My mentor Ry’el gave me this nice nickname. Ry is an amazing teacher and is inspired by many things. At one point he was really into mythology! After teaching a class one day he looked at me and said, “You’re a unicorn!” And I was like “….hmm” because it was really sweet but I wasn’t sure if it fit! He explained that I have this sparkly, glitter personality (I love theater), but when I’m learning I get really serious and it’s like you can see the unicorn horn coming out of my third eye! I did more research on unicorns and found how special they are. It’s a really lovely thing to be called a unicorn. He started promoting me as ‘Unicorn’ and it slowly caught on.

Describe a moment in your dance life that made you feel proud.

Ah, this is so nice. You know, I feel so lucky to have many moments on this path that made me proud. I feel grateful, more than anything, but also proud. This dance has been very generous to me and I’m proud that I even went for it when I thought I couldn’t. Honestly, I’m proud that I’m now teaching online classes by myself. It’s an honor to be by Ry’el’s side and teaching classes with him. I would get SO nervous teaching classes alone. I still get nervous, but I’m so grateful for his encouragement and I’m proud of myself that I keep trying to grow even if it can feel a bit scary!

Zouk is steadily growing in popularity within the latin dance community, but it is still new to many in the US. What separates Zouk and makes it stand out from the other popular dances in the community (Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, etc)?

I think Brazilian Zouk Lambada is a cousin in this family of incredible Latin Dances. It shares many figures, cultural roots, evolution, etc like all the other incredible dances. I think what stands out the most is that the range of what could be classified under Brazilian Zouk Lambada is very big. Whereas I think sometimes it’s easier to point out what looks like Salsa, or identify a Bachata song. Brazilian Zouk Lambada has a base, but it is continuously evolving. You can compare three videos of dancers in the Brazilian Zouk Lambada scene and be in awe because the music and style are COMPLETELY different. These dancers can switch partners and dance the same dance in a different way!

You and Ry’el are amazing performers. Some shows done by professionals at congresses feel like mundane routines, while yours feel like true performances. I’ve seen several of your shows and I think the combination of your choreography and the music make them special. You definitely bring a unique vibe to congresses. What is your methodology for putting together a performance piece?

Thank you for this lovely compliment. I can totally understand where you’re coming from – sometimes when we stop the party and have to sit and watch shows it can drain energy and make the expectations run high. So we want these performances to be at a certain level especially if we have to stop to watch them, right? I know what you mean because if I wasn’t performing I would feel the same. BUT being on the other end, I think performers really put their heart on the line to create a story, to put movement to music, and lastly try to do their BEST in front of an audience . It’s not easy (laughs)! So with that in mind, I now bow down to any performance because that shit is hard – especially for me! Creating choreography is SO challenging. Only within these last 2 years have I been creating my own choreography, but it took some encouragement.  Ry’el, on the other hand, is a creative genius. He gets inspired by the song and I am always down and trust his vision. He has the vision for where the piece is going and I follow and support him through it. I really like this way of collaborating because performance is where I feel the most comfortable!

You’re a veteran of the dance scene as an instructor, performer and competitor. What goals do you have for your dance career?

Again, thank you for this compliment, but I still feel like a baby! I would really love to grow more as a teacher and choreographer. I am extremely inspired by Ry’el and how he is as a professional. Especially as a teacher. His break downs amaze me to this day. This dance has changed my life, but he has changed my dance. I had strong limiting beliefs (that I’m still working on) but he really helped access my body and become the dancer that I am today. My goals are to keep growing and becoming more and more creative. I would also like  to continue refining and learning more about the history of this dance. So many incredible dancers made an impact and I hope to continue telling their stories and be a part of a greater evolution with an even more solid base. This dance is like a wonderland. I’m so grateful to be a part of it and I hope to be better, so I can do better for it!

What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…

Damn, this one is tough because the music is SO GOOD. The top 3 that come to mind are:

Favorite dance video(s) you’d like to share?

This one is a fun one from Brazouka in 2020.

This one is from 2016 but holds a special place in my heart! It’s a wild song!

ArtSalsa

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ArtSalsa

Artist Alla Gerzon offers unique dance themed wall art – posters, prints, canvas prints, originals and more! Visit ArtSalsa on Etsy or Facebook to find that perfect piece of dance art for you, family, friend, or business!

If you’d like to share your tattoo with the latin dance community and tell the story behind it then click HERE!

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