From the Top

Drugs don't seem to play a big role in the swing dance community but they are there - though it's mostly just cannabis and other soft drugs. In this episode, we hear from two anonymous dancers that admit to taking drugs while dancing, and learn a little history with Peter Loggins. *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

A person's height affects all aspects of their life, and it matters when it comes to dancing, too. We hear from both ends of the spectrum. *** Contributors to this episode: Sofi Mirkovic, Maria Grabherr, Ruben Garred, Johanna. *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

Swing dancing may seem like a carefree world that is "open to all" but even some perfectly fit and healthy people can have a hard time entering it, to say nothing of people with disabilities. In this episode, we meet two disabled dancers who beat the odds to have a healthy and fulfilling dancing life, and hear from one of the most successful integrated dance troupes in the world. *** Contributors to this episode: Johannes Priebsch, dancer, software engineer and mediator based in Vienna www.priebsch.at Dominic Eagleton, London-based dancer and senior campaigner at Global Witness Stine Nilsen, artistic co-director at Candoco Dance Company www.candoco.co.uk *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

Swing dancing seems far removed from the daily grind of business life but in fact it's just as much about money and value as any other human activity. It's just that its financial system is extremely opaque. There are no clear, universally agreed upon prices or tariffs and often no legal oversight either; it's effectively a black market economy. In this episode, we ask how you survive in this remarkably unregulated and non-transparent economy, who sets the prices and who pays for everything, what goes into running a successful swing dance business and how to fight off unscrupulous competition.  *** Contributors to this episode: Jerry Almonte, dancer, photographer, organiser and blogger based in Washington D.C. www.jsalmonteproductions.com Mandi Gould, Canadian swing dance entrepreneur and organiser www.mandigould.com Jana Grulichová, co-founder of the Swing Maniacs school in Spain www.swingmaniacs.com *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

Veteran performer and instructor Peter Loggins has a powerful message for his fellow dancers: go out and do it in public. Peter is also featured in Episode 12 - Swing dance: art or what? Cover photograph courtesy of Peter

We return to the topic of globalisation with an episode that is full of stories of border-crossing. From London to Vienna to Leipzig to Seoul, we hear from those who started dancing in one place but continued in another. Together with them, we reflect on the differences and similarities between various swing dance communities around the world. *** Contributors to this episode: Lisa Carman, Marc D'Olimpio, Sam Jozeps, Ben Beccari, Nancy Hitzig, Katie Latter *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

In this fourth of our special series, we talk to Anaïs Sékiné, a dancer and researcher (or, to use her own definition, a dancing researcher) in Montreal who is conducting PhD research in modern swing dance culture. For a selection of Anaïs' smaller publications on the subject, go to the website of the Université de Montréal at www.umontreal.academia.edu Anaïs is also featured in Episode 12 - Swing dance: art or what? Cover photograph courtesy of Anaïs

Swing dance isn't usually classified as art. This title is normally applied to ballet, tango, folk dance or contemporary dance. But is this fair? And does swing dance need to be on a par with these well-established and recognised dance genres? Is swing dance perhaps just a form of entertainment - or even a niche specialism? This and more in an episode packed with insight both from within and outside the swing community. *** Contributors to this episode: Marina Losin, dancer, choreographer and researcher at ImPulsTanz, one of the largest contemporary dance festivals in the world www.impulstanz.com Gaby Cook, noted U.S. jazz dance performer and instructor www.gabycook.com Anaïs Sékiné, swing dance performer and instructor based in Montreal; PhD researcher of modern swing dance culture Peter Loggins, one of the pioneers of the swing dance revival, veteran performer and instructor www.jassdancer.blogspot.com Camille A. Brown, award-winning U.S. dancer and choreographer and champion of black rights www.camilleabrown.org *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

Drummer and composer Dave King is perhaps best-known as a co-founder and one-third of the U.S. jazz trio The Bad Plus. He has also co-founded a number of other groups, including Happy Apple and Halloween, Alaska. He has played with more than 30 artists and appeared on over 50 recordings. In this third of our special series, we talk to Dave about his relationship with music and about his hit postmodern YouTube show Rational Funk. Cover photograph by Christopher Herndler

In this our summer-minded episode, we look at something that binds us all together: travel. Man's deep-rooted desire to travel and explore, coupled with the increasing globalisation of the swing dance market, has produced a generation of dancers, DJs and musicians that is almost constantly on the go. We meet some of them. *** Contributors to this episode: Diana Geisler, Vienna-based dancer, performer and instructor who travels almost every weekend to competitions and events Simon Bressanelli, British-Italian dancer who travels and teaches full-time www.simonbressanelli.co.uk Adrian Cunningham, Australian-born travelling musician and bandleader based in NYC www.adriancunningham.com Meghan Gilmore, Canadian DJ and dancer, head of DJs at Herrang Dance Camp, citizen of the world Marcus Nutzinger, From the Top co-editor *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

In this second of our special features, we hear from Alina Sokulska about how she sees herself in the world of swing and jazz dance. Originally from Kiev, Ukraine, Alina is IG HOP's Dancer in Residence this spring and an aspiring anthropologist. Check out her latest dance video here: www.vimeo.com/164904299 You can hear more of Alina in our latest episode, Video and swing dance.

Modern swing dancing has been deeply influenced by the rapid dissemination of video content and the corresponding revolution in video recording technology: videos have become much easier to get and create, and that has turned them into a powerful learning tool, especially in remote communities. On the other hand, the march of technology has resulted in oversaturation: every major event now spews forth dozens of videos; all competitions are thoroughly documented, all participants logged: it's getting increasingly difficult to choose what and who to watch. Questions are also being asked about whether video uniformity is killing individual styles. We get down to the real nitty-gritty. *** Contributors to this episode: Jeannie Elliott, hardened swing dancer&instructor and leader of Cape Town Swing www.capetownswing.co.za Alain Wong, key swing dance videographer, organiser of Montreal Swing Riot www.youtube.com/user/alainkinwong www.montrealswingriot.com Alina Sokulska, jazz dancer based in Kiev and St. Petersburg, IG HOP's Dancer in Residence#5 www.facebook.com/jazzworkshopsalina Jerry Almonte, veteran swing dancer and author of popular blog Wandering&Pondering www.facebook.com/JSAlmonteWandering For more, please visit www.fromthetoppodcast.com/episodes/10 *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov Cover photo courtesy of the Dutch Nationaal Archief

Jean-Charles Zambo, a.k.a. Joyss, shot to overnight fame after this video of his Take Five routine at Montreal Swing Riot 2015 went viral. www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5iMNzDG_g4 In a preview of our forthcoming episode, we hear from Alain Wong, the maker of that and many other famous videos. For Joyss' side of the story, listen here: www.fromthetoppodcast.com/episodes/8

We look at the trials and tribulations of being a beginner dancer, with personal stories and anecdotes mixed in with some professional advice as well as insights from Alexei and Marcus. *** Contributors to this episode: Joana Köstlich, Stefan Schmeiser and Susanne Veil in Vienna; Vincent Pettavel in Leeds; Bryony Whitehead in Barcelona; Stine Thougaard in Copenhagen; Amira Selim in NYC; Myeong-hyeon Kim and Kyle Ahn in Seoul Sanna Nordin-Bates, researcher and senior lecturer in sport and dance psychology at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences in Stockholm www.gih.se/Personal/Sanna-Nordin-Bates *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov Cover photo courtesy of the Dutch Nationaal Archief

Swing dance can be many things, but where exactly does it begin and end? We ask four swing dancers who push it to the limit. *** Contributors to this episode: Ksenia Parkhatskaya, Russian-born dancer, singer and performer www.kseniaparkhatskaya.com Jean-Charles Zambo aka Joyss, swing and hip-hop dancer and composer from Paris www.facebook.com/dancerjoyss Ann Mony, San Fransisco-based dancer and instructor, and partner of... Ryan Calloway, dancer, instructor and visual artist www.ryanandann.com www.ryancallowayart.com For more, please visit www.fromthetoppodcast.com/episodes/8 *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov Cover photo courtesy of the Dutch Nationaal Archief

In this special episode recorded live at Lindy Shock University 2015, From the Top sits down with eight swing dance instructors to talk shop. We ask what it's like to start out as a Lindy Hop teacher - emotionally, psychologically and practically - and look at some of the challenges presented by the job. Kindly supported by Lindy Shock University *** Contributors to this episode: Katja Završnik (Hrastar), Gaston Fernandez, Cat Foley, Felipe Braga, Remy Kouakou Kouame, Laura Keat, Alex Parker and Natalia Eristavi For additional materials and some suggested reading, please visit www.fromthetoppodcast.com/episodes/7 *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

The Lindy Hop does not necessarily involve dressing up, retro or otherwise - indeed, when a group of Swedish pioneers revived swing dancing in the 1980s, they did it in true 1980s style. Even so, more and more swing dancers begin to fashion up their look. We explore why. *** Contributors to this episode: Voon Chew, New York-based ambi-dancer/DJ and vintage dress enthusiast and collector Dr. Elisabeth Frottier, head of the costume and fashion collection of Vienna’s University of Applied Arts www.dieangewandte.at Yana Sanamyants, Moscow-based swing dancer with a background in textile design Laura Windley, frontwoman of the North Carolina-based Mint Julep Jazz Band, main contributor to Lindy Shopper, the popular blog about swing dance clothing www.laurawindley.com Rani-Patricia Dirnhofer, founder and owner of shoemaking company Saint Savoy www.saintsavoy.com For additional materials and some suggested reading, please visit www.fromthetoppodcast.com/episodes/6 *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

This episode is all about gender roles in swing dance and society. Does the Lindy Hop accentuate the divide between men and women or mitigate it? And what effect has the feminist project had on swing culture? Also, what does it feel like for a woman to be a leader and a man a follower? *** Contributors to this episode: Rebecka DecaVita, one half of the Swedish instructor/performer duo The DecaVitas www.thedecavitas.com Sam Carroll, swing dance instructor, organizer, DJ and feminist thinker based in Sydney, Australia www.dogpossum.org Jo Jae-kyeong, Lindy Hop dancer and translator living in Seoul, South Korea Gregor Hofbauer, Vienna-based Lindy Hop dancer and photographer www.photography.gregorhofbauer.com Patrick Catuz, Austrian researcher on gender issues and art-house porn filmmaker www.catuz.at *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

Episode 4 is all about health and well-being for dancers: staying in shape with Jo Hoffberg, alcohol and social conventions with Kevin St. Laurent, plus some disturbing injury statistics from Dance UK. *** Contributors to this episode: Jo Hoffberg, world-renowned Lindy Hop teacher, performer and competitor www.johoffberg.com Kevin St. Laurent, equally world-renowned Lindy Hop teacher, performer and competitor www.kevinstlaurent.com Erin Sanchez, Healthier Dancer Programme manager at Dance UK www.danceuk.org *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

Episode 3 looks at what it's like to be a swing musician today. How close can you get to the true sound? Do you need to? And it is possible to make original swing music in our technology-savvy age? *** Contributors to this episode: Bernhard Glatz, trumpeter, member of the Maurer Big Band www.facebook.com/maurerbigband Glenn Crytzer, guitarist, bandleader and composer www.glenncrytzer.com Philipp Mayrlbäurl, guitarist, member of the Juke Swing Band Nina Jukić, singer and musicologist, member of the duo don_t go www.facebook.com/heydontgo *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com From the Top theme song by Alexander Forstner, Nina Jukić and Alexei Korolyov

In this episode, we debate regionalism vs globalisation in swing music and dance: what role do regional or historic styles and traditions play in an increasingly globalised world? *** Contributors to this episode: Christian Frommelt and Jenny Shirar, swing dance instructors, performers, choreographers www.christianandjenny.com *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com

In the first episode, we look at the intricacies of time travel: would a present-day Lindy Hop dancer be able to social dance if they travelled back in time to 1930s or 1940s New York? *** Contributors to this episode: Nathan Bugh, swing dance instructor and performer, artistic director of Syncopated City Dance Company in New York www.nathanbugh.com www.syncopatedcity.org Erin Morris, swing dance instructor and performer, leader of Erin Morris&Her Ragdolls, an all-girl vintage jazz dance troupe based in Ann Arbor, Michigan www.emragdolls.com Logo photo by Gregor Hofbauer www.photography.gregorhofbauer.com *** Produced and presented by Alexei Korolyov www.alexei-korolyov.com