Sia Dancing

Anastasia Angeli
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

My name is Sia and I dance. I want you to feel you can show up on the dance floor as you are, and still belong. I am doing that through hosting this podcast series and you are part of making it happen. What to expect? In-person conversations with dancers, musicians, festival organizers, all recorded live, mostly during festivals in the Nordics and beyond. See ya dancing 💃🏼

  1. 2d ago

    #168 Giving up agency in exchange for pleasure - with David Kaminsky | Tango, Blues, Lindy Hop, Swedish folk, Balboa | Herräng Dance Camp, Recess

    What makes a dance feel good when we willingly let go of control? In this episode, I sit down with David Kaminsky, dancer, musician, researcher, and professor, based in California. We talk about: ​How David first entered dance through Swedish folk music and Polska​The connection between Aikido and leading in a partner dance​Playing live music for dancers and the unique conversations that happen through music​A magical memory of dancing in a forest surrounded by light at Recess​What it means to lead, follow, and take care of a partner David shares ideas that come from years of research, but always connects them back to real experiences on the dance floor. If you have ever wondered why certain dances feel so comfortable, why connection matters, or why dancing can change how we move through the world, this conversation offers plenty to reflect on. A link to David’s faculty page, which has links to free versions of almost everything he has written: https://gasp.ucmerced.edu/content/david-kaminsky ______________________________________________ ​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅ #HerrängDanceCamp #PartnerDance #DanceCommunity #DancingTango #RecessBlues

    #168 Giving up agency in exchange for pleasure - with David Kaminsky | Tango, Blues, Lindy Hop, Swedish folk, Balboa | Herräng Dance Camp, Recess

  2. Aug 26

    #167 From bachata in the Dominican Republic to balboa in Herräng - with Alexej Schmidt | Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, Bachata, Salsa & Merengue | Herräng Dance Camp

    What keeps you coming back to dance, year after year? Recorded in the quiet late evening magic of Herräng Dance Camp, this conversation is with Alexej Schmidt, a social dancer whose journey has taken him from Russia to the Dominican Republic, Sweden, Germany and France. We sit outside a red Swedish cottage, surrounded by trees, summer light, and the calm atmosphere that makes Herräng feel so special. We even had a dear passing py at some point - you will hear it ;) We talk about: • Growing up between cultures and finding connection through dance• How a year in the Dominican Republic changed Alexej's relationship with music and movement• Discovering Lindy Hop in Stockholm and falling in love with social dancing• Why Balboa continues to fascinate him after many years of dancing• The role of musicality in creating memorable dance experiences There is a strong sense of gratitude throughout this episode. Gratitude for teachers who generously shared their knowledge, for communities that made learning accessible, and for dance partners who brought unexpected moments of joy and creativity. This episode is for anyone who dances because they love the music. And for anyone who keeps coming back because of the people. A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp: This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible. ______________________________________________ ​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅ #HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #SalsaBachata #DanceBalboa

    #167 From bachata in the Dominican Republic to balboa in Herräng - with Alexej Schmidt | Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, Bachata, Salsa & Merengue | Herräng Dance Camp

  3. Aug 19

    #166 Twenty two Herräng summers of friendship and fresh T-shirts - with Sean Bischofberger | Herräng Dance Camp, IsThereHop

    What keeps someone coming back to the dance floor for more than two decades? In this episode, I sit down with Sean Cedric Bischofberger lig during Herräng Dance Camp in Sweden. We talk in a quiet moment between classes, social dancing, and waving at Sean's friends passing by. Sean grew up around dancers, spent every summer at Herräng, and eventually found his own way into dancing thanks to a very persistent Chester Whitmore. What keeps him here today is not competition or achievement. It's friendship, joy, and feeling connected to people. We talk about: • Growing up at Herräng Dance Camp• How Chester Whitmore got Sean into dancing• Why friendships are the biggest reason he still dances• Dancing while travelling and discovering scenes through Swing Calendar• How lighting shapes the feeling of a dance space• Dance floor etiquette, hygiene, and helping partners feel comfortable This episode might resonate with you if you have ever wondered why you keep coming back to social dancing year after year. Not because of the steps but because of the people. A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp: This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible. ______________________________________________ ​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅ #HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #IsThereHop #SwingCalendar

    #166 Twenty two Herräng summers of friendship and fresh T-shirts - with Sean Bischofberger | Herräng Dance Camp, IsThereHop

  4. Aug 12

    #165 Not having time to make jokes - with Maka Yavelic | Herräng Dance Camp

    Have you ever wondered if where you stand on the dance floor changes how you experience the music? In this episode, I sit down with Maka, a Lindy Hop teacher, musician, DJ, bandleader, and jam facilitator from Toulouse, France. We recorded this conversation during Herräng Dance Camp, in the middle of a busy week filled with dancing, music, and late nights. We talk about: • Why dance offers a unique connection between body, emotions, culture, and music• The difference between playing music for dancers and for seated audiences• How lighting can shape the feeling of a performance without dancers even noticing it• Bringing new sounds, fresh ideas, and unexpected musical flavours into the swing scene• What really matters at the end of a dance• Why beginners should not be afraid to dance closer to the stage There is something very honest and raw about this conversation. Maka speaks with humour and warmth while sharing observations about how dance communities work. From stories about metalheads hearing "only three songs" at swing events to reflections on musicality and belonging, this episode is full of small insights that stay with you. If you've ever felt like you were standing at the back of the room, unsure if you belonged, this episode might gently encourage you to take a few steps forward. A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp: This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible. ______________________________________________ ​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅ #HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #SwingDance #Herräng

    #165 Not having time to make jokes - with Maka Yavelic | Herräng Dance Camp

  5. Aug 5

    #164 Taking a piece of Herräng home - with Marie Sörqvist | Herräng Dance Camp

    Do you leave a little part of yourself in Herräng, and take a little piece of it home with you? In this episode, I sit down with Marie Sörqvist, Camp Director of Herräng Dance Camp and a member of the Herräng community since the mid-1990s. We recorded this conversation during the first weekend of Herräng Dance Camp 2026, surrounded by the everyday work, conversations, and small moments that make this place feel different from ordinary life. Marie shares why people often come to Herräng for the dance but stay for the people, and why she believes (or, more accurately, hopes) that spending time here can make us better humans. We talk about: • Why Herräng became much more than a dance camp for her• Taking a piece of Herräng back into everyday life• Being the best version of yourself in a supportive community• What makes a good dancer and a good dance teacher• A beautiful sunset boat ride on the lake behind Folkets Hus the day before the camp has started Are you also the best version of yourself when you're in Herräng? For dancers who care about community. For anyone who has ever found a place that feels a little like home. A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp: This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible. ______________________________________________ ​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #SwingDance #Herräng

    #164 Taking a piece of Herräng home - with Marie Sörqvist | Herräng Dance Camp

  6. Jul 29

    #163 Dancing as a common language - with Shehan Jayasekera | Lindy, Blues, Hip Hop | Réunion Island

    What if dance is the language that helps us find home anywhere in the world? In this episode, I sit down with Shehan - a dancer, community builder, and dance facilitator who was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in New Zealand, and eventually built a thriving swing dance scene on Reunion Island. We recorded this conversation during his short visit to Stockholm, as part of his european tour - back in May. This episode is about connection - to yourself, other people, and the history that lives inside social dancing. Shehan shares how dance became a way to communicate across cultures for him. We talk about: • Growing up in Sri Lanka and New Zealand• Discovering Lindy Hop through a love of music and movement• Building a dance scene from scratch on Réunion Island• Why Shehan prefers the word "facilitator" over "teacher"• How lighting and atmosphere shape the feeling of a dance event• Staying connected to the roots of a dance while developing your own voice• The importance of community, resilience, and shared joy. If you've ever walked into a dance event without speaking the local language, wondered where you belong on the dance floor, or felt that special moment when dancing connected you to someone you had never met before, this episode will likely feel familiar. _______________________________________________ ​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅ #SiaDancing #LindyHop #SwingDanceCulture #SocialDancing #DanceCommunity

    #163 Dancing as a common language - with Shehan Jayasekera | Lindy, Blues, Hip Hop | Réunion Island

  7. Jul 22

    #162 A few more beats to breathe - with Spela Sedej | Herräng Dance Camp

    What if the best part of dancing is not the moves, but the connection? In this episode, I sit down with Spela Sedej, a long-time member of the Herräng community, originally from Slovenia and deeply passionate about swing dancing and the people who make it meaningful. We recorded this conversation during a quiet spring visit to Herräng, while we were both volunteering there for a weekend, far away from the busy festival weeks. The calm atmosphere gave us space to reflect on dancing, community, and what keeps bringing people back year after year. This conversation is really about the human side of social dancing. About connection, trust, encouragement, and the small moments that stay with us long after a song ends. We talk about: Why Spela keeps returning to dancing after all these yearsHow social dancing creates connection between complete strangersWhat Spela has "soft knees" for (a hint: it's eatable) Dancing, hiking, and finding joy in unpredictable momentsA beautiful memory of dancing by moonlight, with candles and the moon reflecting in a lakeCreativity, encouragement, and making space for one another on the dance floorMany dancers know the feeling of wondering whether they are doing enough, taking too much space, or not enough space. This episode is a reminder that dancing does not have to be perfect. Sometimes the most meaningful dances are simply the ones where we feel accepted and encouraged to be ourselves. This episode is for anyone who loves the people behind the dancing. And for anyone who wants to feel a little more at home on the dance floor. This episode has been recorded in May in Herräng, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible. _______________________________________________ ​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #HerrängDanceCamp #LindyHop #SwingDance #SocialDancing #DanceCommunity

    #162 A few more beats to breathe - with Spela Sedej | Herräng Dance Camp

  8. Jul 15

    #161 It could happen to you - with Jacob Sznajdman | Salsa, Bachata, Tango, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Rumba, Orisha | Minor Swing

    Have you ever had something go wrong and just had to begin again? ...I did, with this very episode. The recording randomly stopped without making it visible, meaning that we had to re-record. It was unexpected. A bit messy. But also honest.In fact, the first 4 minutes of the recording are pretty badquality due to background noises so you might enjoy our quite conversation recorded several weeeeeks after.This episode is with Jacob, a social dancer who has explored many styles over the years. We talk about:- Why dancing feels like a natural part of being human- Exploring styles like salsa, bachata, tango, lindy and balboa and mizing them up on the social floor- Jacob's experience in Cuba with rumba and Orisha dances - Small crushes in social dancing and how to handle them with care (thanks Hadeel to that question)- Seeing each dance as a short and complete momentThere is a soft thread through this episode. Things do not need to be perfect to be real and to be enough. ______________________________________________________ A shout-out to Minor Swing Festival: This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. (and later on re-recorded, but that's another story). Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________ ​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅ #SiaDancing #MinorSwing #Orishadances #CubanSalsa

    #161 It could happen to you - with Jacob Sznajdman | Salsa, Bachata, Tango, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Rumba, Orisha | Minor Swing
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About

My name is Sia and I dance. I want you to feel you can show up on the dance floor as you are, and still belong. I am doing that through hosting this podcast series and you are part of making it happen. What to expect? In-person conversations with dancers, musicians, festival organizers, all recorded live, mostly during festivals in the Nordics and beyond. See ya dancing 💃🏼

Information

  • Creator
    Anastasia Angeli
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    174
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Anastasia Angeli
  • Show Website
    Sia Dancing