Degender Dance

Degender Dance with Kate n' Lou
  • 5.0 (3)
  • HOBBIES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Hey dancers! Welcome to The Degender Dance Podcast. This whole thing actually started in Lou’s Subaru—after dance class, talking for hours- we figured why not hit record! In this little intro episode, you can get to know your hosts—Kate and Lou. We’re dance buddies who love talking about gender, movement, queerness, dismantling the patriarchy, and all the weird stuff in between. You’ll hear how we met, what we’re into, and probably a few tangents along the way. 5,6,7,8!

  1. Queer Audacity: Adrian of Queerchata Means Business

    4D AGO

    Queer Audacity: Adrian of Queerchata Means Business

    This week on The Degender Dance Podcast, we’re hanging out with Adrián (he/him), founder of Queerchata and the force behind one of the fastest-growing Queer partner dance movements in North America. In Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver and Chicago, Queerchata is all about creating spaces for dance without judgement with the help of his teachers, or as he calls them: The Queer Avengers of Bachata and Salsa. We get into his dance journey, how his Queerness shows up in the way he moves and teaches, and what it’s been like building a Queer-centered dance community from the ground up. Adrián brings a whole other layer to the conversation with his background in tech, including diversity and inclusion in tech work at Google and YouTube, and we talk about how that tech savvy and business brain shapes the way Queerchata runs and grows across multiple cities.We chat about what it really means to run a dance business rooted in diversity and inclusion, and how Queerchata reimagines partner dance without binary gender roles, and centers Queer connection, and joy. This conversation is part dance journey, part behind-the-scenes business nitty gritty, part real talk about community, identity, and building something that actually feels good to be in and all Queer audacity. Of course, we also had to talk about the April Weekender coming up in late Apri 2026 in Seattle, what makes it special and why you will want to be there (if there’s still tickets)! 🌈Learn more about Queerchata and snag the Seattle Weekender tickets here: https://www.queerchata.com/product/weekender 🏳️‍🌈Follow the Queerchata IG @queerchata

    53 min

  2. MAR 24

    Kate n’ Lou Go Contra Dancing

    In this episode, Lou introduces Kate to Contra Dancing for the very first time, starting with a crash course on what it is and its roots of Renaissance country dances to its uniquely American evolution. Lou shares some of the layered history of contra, including how live calling became central to the form. Then we head to Lake City Contra to experience it in real life. We enjoy the sounds of the hall, the live band, and Kate gets to step into the long lines for the first time. While we’re there, we get a wonderful interview with organizer Sherry Nevins, who talks about community and the shift toward degendered language in modern contra spaces. She explains why the terms “Larks and Robins” matter and how they helped make the dance more welcoming. After dancing (and a lot of eye contact), we sit down to debrief. Kate reflects on what it felt like to try Contra for the first time, what was surprising, what was challenging and joyful, both grateful we now what a Bouzouki is! Special thanks to everyone at Lake City Contra, Sherry Nevins, caller Elizabeth Monica and the band Old Sock for helping us twinkle our toes!

    32 min
  3. The DEI Dancer With Rassamy

    MAR 10

    The DEI Dancer With Rassamy

    This week we have the pleasure of talking to Rassamy, a West Coast Swing dancer, DJ, teacher, woman of color, cultural educator and ex Meta user in the greater Seattle area.We dive into her DEI work in West Coast Swing, and what it means to build accessible and justice-centered dance spaces. We hear all about her move away from social media, specifically Meta, as a political and personal choice, all while still organizing and participating in her dance communities. We also couldn’t help but hear a little about the questionable Lindy Vs. West Coast Swing feud too! Check out her work 💃🏽https://rassamy.com/

    50 min

  4. FEB 24

    Groove is in the Heart 💓 and the Heart is in the Basics

    This week we’re getting into the basics. Why rushing into flashy patterns can strip away the soul of a dance. Why groove > quantity. And why the “basic” step and other foundational groove and technique is actually the skeleton of the dance and every flashy move too. The basics aren’t working? Neither will the advanced move.We also get into teaching beginners, retaking classes in the opposite role, ableism in dance spaces, and how focusing on fundamentals creates more inclusive scenes and lifelong dancers.Because basic aren’t boring.They’re the heart of every partner dance.

    31 min
  5. Deep Listening: Dance and Therapy with Anne Gaskins

    FEB 10

    Deep Listening: Dance and Therapy with Anne Gaskins

    This week we’re talking with Anne Gaskins (she/ her): a therapist, Salsa teacher and a performer with Latin Fusion company BGC, here in Seattle, WA. Anne works as a therapist specializing in eating disorders and body image and is passionate about making dance accessible and fun for all bodies.Anne schools us with her pearls of wisdom about being a therapist and dancer and how these worlds collide and dovetail as inherently relational modalities. This interview blew our mind! Join us for the banter and the aha moments as we cover topics ranging from deep listening in social dance to body stigma in dance spaces🪩

    50 min

  6. JAN 27

    Try It! You’ll Like It! : Learning Both Roles Has Serious Value

    In this episode Lou and Kate talk about one of the topics that sparked The Degender Dance Podcast to begin with: why learning to both lead and follow, even a little, makes you a better and safer dancer. We talk about the importance of ELEF, empathy and dismantling the idea that gender = dance role. Let’s get into it!

    31 min

  7. JAN 13

    White Supremacy and Dance Pt 2

    In YT Supremacy and Dance, Part 2, Kate and Lou continue their conversation with Tema Okun’s Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture, moving through the second half of the list and exploring how these patterns show up in partner dance spaces. How do these characteristics surface in teaching and dance community and what are the antidotes? How do they live in our bodies and relationships, and how do they shape learning, connection, and conflict on the dance floor?We explore what it means to dance, teach, and organize in ways that support shared power and care, rather than defaulting to habits that have been normalized but rarely named. Dismantling white supremacy culture is an inside job, and it begins with noticing just how pervasive these characteristics are.Join Degender Dance as we share lived experiences, open questions, and the sometimes uncomfortable nuance of this work. References & Links• Shahem “5hahem” McLaurin: https://www.5hahem.com/• Tema Okun’s website: https://www.dismantlingracism.org/• Short video of Okun speaking: https://youtu.be/kJg2LJihb64• Easy-to-read handout: https://overcomingracism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HANDOUT-SHARED-Characteristics-of-White-Supremacy-Culture-original-1.pdf• Original list: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/uploads/4/3/5/7/43579015/okun_-_white_sup_culture.pdf

    50 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Get in, We're Boycotting Spotify!

    On this week’s episode we talk about the Spotify boycott and why we are participating. ICE recruitment ads aren’t the only reason to stop giving them your hard earned money. We talk about how hard the decision is to divest from such an accessible staple and resource for dance teachers and what other options exist out there that aren’t evil fascists stealing from musicians. Seattle, the birthplace of Degender Dance, is one of the bigger cities that launched this boycott with many local musicians opting out and removing their music. Hell yea! Oh also when you cancel, there’s hilarious/desperate surprise waiting for you. Tune in to hear us chop it up!Indivisible Boycott:https://indivisible.org/cancel-spotifySeattle Musicians Boycott:https://www.knkx.org/jazz/2025-09-05/seattle-musicians-boycott-spotify-ai-ghost-musicians-ceo-daniel-ek-defense-investmentsOur screenshots from canceling:https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g3RMrHWmRMylYN5gtaUnT7NrfloNeEee&usp=drive_fs

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hey dancers! Welcome to The Degender Dance Podcast. This whole thing actually started in Lou’s Subaru—after dance class, talking for hours- we figured why not hit record! In this little intro episode, you can get to know your hosts—Kate and Lou. We’re dance buddies who love talking about gender, movement, queerness, dismantling the patriarchy, and all the weird stuff in between. You’ll hear how we met, what we’re into, and probably a few tangents along the way. 5,6,7,8!

Information

  • Creator
    Degender Dance with Kate n' Lou
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Degender Dance with Kate n' Lou
  • Show Website
    Degender Dance

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