This past year, BHS and the Brooklyn Arts Council partnered on an oral history project interviewing local dancers.  BAC initiated Folk Feet, a Folk Arts program dedicated to supporting the work of traditional dancers in Brooklyn, in 2003. The goals of Folk Feet were to identify the range of traditional dance practices represented in Brooklyn by individuals, companies, and community and social dance groups; to document these artists and their practices; and to present them to a wider public by way of concerts, showcases and workshops. This is the fifth in a series of five audio slideshows from that project.

Irina Roizin opened the Brighton Ballet Theater School of Russian Ballet in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn in 1987.

Irina immigrated to Brooklyn from Russia in 1977. Having trained from a young age as an acrobat and character dancer, she continued her dance training in the U.S. with two sisters, Rona and Galina Rybak, who had learned the art of ballet from the renowned Agrippina Vaganova.

In this excerpt, Irina describes how dance teaches children about other cultures and how listening to live piano music gives them a much-needed chance to relax.

Music: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1: III. Allegro con fuoco by David Zinman and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

This past year, BHS and the Brooklyn Arts Council partnered on an oral history project interviewing local dancers.  BAC initiated Folk Feet, a Folk Arts program dedicated to supporting the work of traditional dancers in Brooklyn, in 2003. The goals of Folk Feet were to identify the range of traditional dance practices represented in Brooklyn by individuals, companies, and community and social dance groups; to document these artists and their practices; and to present them to a wider public by way of concerts, showcases and workshops. This is the fourth in a series of five audio slideshows from that project, stay tuned!

Carlos Vasquez founded La Salsa De Hoy Dance Studio in Sunset Park, Brooklyn in 1982.

Carlos was born in Spanish Harlem and he grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn and the “Boogie Down” Bronx.  He is a former member of David Melendez’s Mambo Elite Dance Company, and his father used to dance at the famous Palladium Ballroom.

In this excerpt, Carlos Vasquez describes how the Salsa scene in the 1970s inspires his teaching.

Music: “Guarare” by Ray Barretto
Interview conducted by Nicole Macotsis and Sady Sullivan

This past year, BHS and the Brooklyn Arts Council partnered on an oral history project interviewing local dancers.  BAC initiated Folk Feet, a Folk Arts program dedicated to supporting the work of traditional dancers in Brooklyn, in 2003. The goals of Folk Feet were to identify the range of traditional dance practices represented in Brooklyn by individuals, companies, and community and social dance groups; to document these artists and their practices; and to present them to a wider public by way of concerts, showcases and workshops. This is the second in a series of five audio slideshows from that project, stay tuned!

Marie Basse-Wiles came to Brooklyn from Dakar, Senegal.  She joined the Ballet National of Senegal at the age of 12 and went on to tour the world with the company.  She founded the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance in 1983.

In this excerpt, Marie explains why she chose to name her company after her grandmother and tells us about her first time in the United States when she performed at the Apollo Theater!

Music: “Bara” by Drisa Kone

This past year, BHS and the Brooklyn Arts Council partnered on an oral history project interviewing local dancers.  BAC initiated Folk Feet a Folk Arts program dedicated to supporting the work of traditional dancers in Brooklyn in 2003. The goals of Folk Feet were to identify the range of traditional dance practices represented in Brooklyn by individuals, companies, and community and social dance groups; to document these artists and their practices; and to present them to a wider public by way of concerts, showcases and workshops. This is the first in a series of five audio slideshows from that project, stay tuned.

Shock-a-lock is an original locker and CEO of Circulock Inc., the world’s first street-dance circus. He grew up in East New York and developed his unique style of locking at block parties and dance competitions.

Shock-a-lock took us on a tour of East New York showing us where memorable freestyle dance moments took place at house parties, block parties, and community centers. In this excerpt, Shock-a-lock describes some of his inspirations and where the term breakin’ originated.

Music: “Live Wire” by The Meters