In the second part of our conversation with legendary swing dancer Sylvia Sykes, we chat with her about her influences, how Lindy and Balboa dancers honor their history, and how they view West Coast Swing. We asked her about the issues of cultural appropriation in the Lindy community and how the global expansion of West Coast Swing resembles that of Lindy Hop. She shared why she's not in the West Coast Swing community anymore, her views of judging swing, and her thoughts on changing the name...

If you want to get your facts straight, you go to the source. Well, in this episode, we spoke with living swing legend Sylvia Sykes to learn more about her experience, her perspective, and the history of swing. She chatted with us about how she got into swing dancing as a teenager, how she ended up on the television show Shebang, and how she met famous lindy hopper Dean Collins. She shared what if felt like to dance with Dean, what he taught her about swing and following, and what he was like...

It's always amazing to see young talent skyrocket and flourish in our dance world, and in recent years, Alyssa Glanville has been one of those bright, shining stars. In this episode, we sat down with this charming, dynamic, and down-to-earth champion to talk about her background, her influences, and how she developed herself into a successful champion. She shared her thoughts on teaching and judging the dance, her partnership with John Kirkconnell, and becoming more of a solo professional. We...

Known for his energy, flair, and big heart, Barry Jones has had a long and successful career in West Coast Swing. In this episode, we chat with this US Open champion about his origins in West Coast Swing, his time competing in Showcase with Judy Ford and Kellese Key, and what he likes to see in a swing routine. He talked with us about the impact of his own routines, competing at the US Open, and why he no longer judges. We asked him about his experience developing local dance communities, his...

When it comes to understanding the history of our dance, few people bring a breadth and depth of knowledge like Sonny Watson. A dancer, teacher, judge, and historian who has been in our community for decades, he's experienced the dance and its many ups and downs firsthand. In this episode, we sat down with Sonny to chat about his own journey into the dance, who influenced him when he started, and how he got involved in the Southern California community. We asked him to share a bit about Kenny...

In the second part of our conversation with champion Shag dancers Leann and Michael Norris, we talk about a variety of topics. We begin with a discussion of Michael's US Open-winning routine with Kellese Key and how they developed their choreography. They talked with us about taking over Grand Nationals from Charlie Womble and Jackie McGee, the challenges of running the event, and their reflections on honoring the event's history for its 25th anniversary. We asked them how the Shag community...

Sure, this is a podcast about West Coast Swing, but our dance has been greatly influenced by our sister swing dances. So we sat down with LeAnn and Michael Norris - several-time Carolina Shag champions, the Event Directors of USA Grand Nationals Dance Championship, and two of the nicest people around - to learn more about another swing dance community and its crossover with our own. In the first of two episodes with LeAnn and Michael, we ask them about Carolina Shag, what it is as a dance,...

We love opportunities to engage with our audience, so we figured it was time to answer more of your questions - and reply to the conversations on social media. So we begin this episode with our initial reactions to the latest news from the US Open (announced the morning we recorded) about judging swing content. Then we dive into your questions about how to become a champion, developing different skills, and even wearing orthotics. We also answered questions about enforcing the point system,...

With over three decades of experience in West Coast Swing, Sharlot Bott is a fount of knowledge and wisdom. Not only has she successfully competed with some of the best leaders in the history of the dance, but she has shaped the dance in her own right, and she has been an inspiration for so many of our top professionals today. We were privileged enough to chat with this icon of swing about her origins in the dance, the people who influenced her most, and how she developed her timeless style....

We've talked before about the joys and challenges we face along our dance journeys. From the struggles of learning to dance to navigating the social structures of our community to disappointment in competitions, we often experience a range of highs and lows. And sometimes, for a whole host of reasons, we just lose our passion for dancing. In this episode, we talk about our current feelings towards dance. Eric, fresh off a two-week vacation, shares his feelings of apathy and ennui towards...

What's in a name? The All Star division is the top division below our champions, and it is continually growing and evolving. In this episode, we chat about what it means to be an All Star Level dancer. We discuss how the division has progressed over the years, what we expect and want to see, and what we like and don't like in the current cohort of competitors. Whether you're an All Star, an aspiring All Star, or just someone curious about different levels of dancing, take a listen and see if...

Disappointment is the sadness or displeasure caused by unfulfilled hopes or expectations, and let's be honest: we've all experienced some disappointment in the dance world. Or frustration. Or demotivation. Or a struggle of some kind. In this episode, we sit down once again with Dr. Divy Ravindranath to discuss how our expectations throughout our dance journeys affect our happiness, our feelings and attitudes about dance, and our behaviors towards others. We begin with a discussion about...

In the second part of our conversation with these two legends, we get a deeper look at their careers and their influence over the global dance community. They shared their views of how the dance has spread globally and their role in making that happen. They talked about how they grounded their routines in West Coast Swing while also pushing the dance and their own creativity. We asked them whether they are mindful of their dancing when they compete, knowing that so many people are looking to...

There is no one in our dance world today who is more accomplished, influential, and iconic than Tatiana Mollmann and Jordan Frisbee. And while we may get the chance to attend one of their workshops, see them perform, or even take a private lesson with them, we don't often get to hang out and chat with them about their experiences and their views. In this episode, we sit down with the 11-time US Open Classic Division Champions to discuss their beginnings in West Coast Swing, their role models...

At Easter Swing in Seattle, we had the chance to chat with an accomplished dancer, teacher, judge, and performer: the lovely Katie Schneider. We asked her about her experience competing in the Showcase division with Jim Minty, including how they formed their partnership and how they prepared their routines. She shared her thoughts on Showcase routines today and how she judges routine divisions. We got into a discussion of music and how it influences the dance, how the community has evolved in...

In the second part of our conversation with Sarah and Kyle, we talked about a wide range of topics. Sarah shared some of her feelings about the new generation of professionals. We talked about how they approach running SwingCouver, how dancers can support events so they can pay their staff, and a new event that Sarah and Kyle are putting together for next year. They told us the stories behind some of our favorite routines, how they approach choreography, and what they think of the routines...

What can we say about two of the most successful and influential dancers in West Coast Swing that would do them justice? In the first part of this two-part conversation, we sit down with two of the greatest dancers, teachers, and performers in our dance, Sarah Vann Drake and Kyle Redd. We asked them about how they got started in the dance, how they met and formed their partnership, and who influenced them most. They shared some of their personal experiences and how those shaped their careers...

We talk a lot about our dance in the United States, but the community has rapidly expanded around the globe in recent years. To talk about how the dance has grown in different countries, we invited a man who spends his time building dance communities in a plethora of countries, Chuck Brown. Joining us from a café while he takes a brief break from his travels, Chuck spoke to us about his experience advising community leaders and event directors in all parts of the world. We asked him about his...

In the second part of our conversation with Hieu Le, Jesse Lopez, and Kyle LaPatin, we discuss the challenges in our communities around getting people to dance with each other - and some of the different ways we have tried to tackle them. We talk about our experiences with the physical space and how that can encourage people to mix and mingle - or divide them. Hieu shared his (now not-so-covert) operation in his community to help create an inclusive environment. Jesse and Kyle talked about...

For most of us, our entry into the dance world - and the place where we spend the most time dancing, learning, and connecting with others - is in our local dance community. To discuss some of the issues around local dance communities and what it takes to build, grow, and run a community, we sat down with three community organizers - Hieu Le of Swingesota, Jesse Lopez of Evolve Your Dance, and Kyle LaPatin of Dancing Feats. In the first part of this two-part conversation, they tell us about...

After six months of doing the show, we wanted to thank you all for listening by answering some questions you've sent us. In this mailbag episode, we share how we met, became friends, and started this show. Then we discuss leading and following during phrase changes, how to reconcile when teachers say different things, and how to get the most out of classes and private lessons. We were asked what we think of "Modern Swing," what we think is missing from the West Coast Swing community, and how...

There's nothing like a good conversation between friends. That's how this whole show got started, after all. And in this episode, we go back to that idea and share with you one of our own conversations about all things swing. We talk about being adaptive to our partners, having better social dances, and learning to communicate better in our dancing. We discuss the dancer's journey, the importance of the essential skills of partner dancing, and how to be a better student in class. And we look...

Not many people can say they have been a dancer, a competitor, an event director, and a DJ, but Cher Peadon has succeeded at all four. In this episode, we chatted with this experienced professional, mentor to so many DJs, and mom to so many champion dancers (figuratively and literally - Kellese Key is her daughter). We asked about how she got started in West Coast Swing, her advice to aspiring DJs, and why she ended America's Classic Championships after so many years. She shared her views of...

From ballet to ballroom, country to swing, Carrie Lucas has an extensive and diverse array of dance experience. In this episode, we sat down with the charming and talented Carrie to discuss her early days in country and with Arthur Murray, her views of the dance, her thoughts on proper technique, and how she approaches judging. And since she's such a successful Masters-level competitor, we asked her what she thinks about the Masters division, including how older dancers can be more successful...

In our second live show, we sit down with a few guests to share stories, insights, and laughs. We first invited the Event Co-Directors of Rose City Swing, Babak Shakeri and Trudy Thatcher, to tell us about their experience creating, running, and developing the event. Then we were joined by the inimitable Ben Morris to discuss his start in dance, how his background in lindy hop influenced his dancing, and how he thinks about creating a dance. Afterwards, audience members asked questions about...