Queer Salsa: How One Nonbinary Couple Leads and Follows | If Cities Could Dance

KQED Arts

20 Jul 202207:10

Summary

TLDRAngie Egea and Audrey Guerrero are dancers in Austin, Texas, aiming to make the salsa community more inclusive. They challenge traditional gender roles in dance by embracing non-binary 'lead and follow' dynamics. The video showcases their passion for salsa, its rich history, and the influence of various cultures. They inspire others to express themselves authentically on the dance floor, promoting a sense of belonging and respect through movement.

Takeaways

💃 Angie Egea and Audrey Guerrero are working to create an inclusive salsa community in Austin, Texas.
🕺 Angie was inspired to start leading in salsa after seeing women leading for the first time, challenging traditional gender roles.
🌈 Their mission is to promote a queer dance community and break the binary system of 'male lead and female follow' in salsa.
🎨 Audrey and Angie emphasize expression and connection in dance, encouraging people to embrace their own identity and energy.
🇨🇴 Angie is from Colombia, and Audrey is from the Dominican Republic. Both bring their cultural backgrounds into their dancing.
🇵🇷 Austin has a vibrant Latin American and Puerto Rican community, making it a diverse and welcoming place for salsa.
👩‍❤️‍👩 Audrey credits salsa and her relationship with Angie as pivotal in helping her come out and be open about her identity.
🎶 Salsa has roots in Cuban and African rhythms, with key figures like Celia Cruz contributing to its evolution.
👯‍♀️ Audrey and Angie are making dance spaces in Austin more inclusive, allowing participants to choose their roles in dance based on preference, not gender.
💪 Their art and classes have helped them gain respect in the salsa community, reinforcing the importance of being yourself on the dance floor.

Q & A

What is Angie Egea's initial experience with salsa dancing?
-Angie Egea initially experienced salsa dancing as a traditionally male-led activity, where she never saw a woman leading.
What was Angie Egea's reaction to seeing a woman lead in salsa?
-Angie Egea was obsessed with the idea of leading salsa after seeing a woman do it and wanted the choice to either lead or follow.
How did Angie Egea and Audrey Guerrero meet?
-The script does not explicitly detail how Angie Egea and Audrey Guerrero met, but it mentions that Angie fell in love with Audrey and became more open about leading in dance.
What is the mission of Angie Egea and Audrey Guerrero in the salsa community?
-Their mission is to create a queer dance community that promotes a non-binary idea of 'lead and follow' rather than 'female and male', focusing on expression and connection.
Why is Austin, Texas significant in the context of salsa dancing according to the script?
-Austin is significant because it is a diverse scene with vibrant Puerto Rican and Latin American communities, and it is described as a very accepting and colorful city.
What is Audrey Guerrero's background and how did she come to the United States?
-Audrey Guerrero is originally from the Dominican Republic and came to the United States with her mom when she was about ten years old.
How did salsa help Audrey Guerrero in her personal journey?
-Salsa helped Audrey Guerrero to come out and meet her wife, Angie Egea, which was a significant part of her personal journey.
What is the historical origin of salsa mentioned in the script?
-Salsa originated from the Caribbean due to political issues between the U.S. and Cuba, and it has African roots with influences from Cuban immigrants in the '50s and '60s.
Who is Celia Cruz and why is she significant in the context of salsa?
-Celia Cruz is known as the queen of salsa because she was a pioneer who brought Afro-Cuban rhythms and was a Black woman from Cuba, always bringing that heritage back into her music.
How did different dance styles influence the development of salsa?
-Salsa was influenced by various dance styles like hustle, jive, and swing, which were incorporated into it, changing its structure. It also has influences from dances from Colombia and Mexico.
What is Rey Arteaga's view on the integration of the dance community in Austin?
-Rey Arteaga views the integration of the dance community in Austin as critical, valuable, and welcomed. He is excited about the community's inclusivity.
What is the traditional portrayal of salsa according to the script?
-Traditionally, salsa has been portrayed as binary, with a clear distinction between male and female roles in the dance.
How does Angie Egea feel about the power of creating art with Audrey Guerrero?
-Angie Egea feels that creating art with Audrey Guerrero has given them respect and strength in the dance scene, allowing them to step into their true identities.
What message do Angie Egea and Audrey Guerrero want to spread through their dancing?
-Angie Egea and Audrey Guerrero want to spread the idea that individuals should be free to express themselves on the dance floor, regardless of gender, and that they can be respected through their movement.

Outlines

00:00

💃 Breaking Gender Roles in Salsa

Angie Egea shares her journey in salsa, expressing her passion for leading dances and breaking traditional gender roles. After meeting Audrey Guerrero, they fell in love and started advocating for a more inclusive dance community. Their mission focuses on non-binary dance partnerships where roles are defined by lead and follow, not by gender. They are working to spread this inclusive approach, starting in Austin, Texas, and extending to the broader salsa community.

05:01

🌈 Diversity in Austin’s Dance Scene

Rey Arteaga and Audrey Guerrero reflect on Austin’s vibrant and diverse community, particularly its Latin American influence. Audrey shares her personal story, emigrating from the Dominican Republic, and how salsa helped her embrace her identity and come out. Both Audrey and Angie celebrate the cultural melting pot that shaped salsa, highlighting its roots in Afro-Cuban rhythms and the contributions of icons like Celia Cruz. Their shared goal is to create a more inclusive and non-binary space in the salsa community.

🎨 Empowering Through Dance and Art

Monica Caivano and Robbie Sky express their support for Audrey and Angie’s workshops in East Austin, which promote inclusivity in dance. These workshops allow participants to choose their roles in dance and life, challenging traditional gender norms. Angie explains how their creative partnership gained respect in the dance scene and empowered them to continue advocating for self-expression, whether through masculine, feminine, or non-binary energies.

🕺 Salsa as a Form of Resistance

Audrey emphasizes that dance, especially salsa, can be a powerful form of resistance in an exclusive world where only certain voices are heard. Through movement, people can find themselves and gain respect. Audrey and Angie conclude the episode by encouraging viewers to continue dancing and being themselves, regardless of societal constraints. They invite viewers to explore more episodes of 'If Cities Could Dance' and leave with a message of empowerment and inclusivity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Salsa

Salsa is a popular form of social dance that originated in the Caribbean, particularly in Cuba, and later spread to the United States and around the world. It is characterized by its lively music and a combination of African and Cuban rhythms. In the video, salsa represents the cultural diversity and inclusivity that Angie and Audrey are promoting in Austin, Texas. The dance is used as a medium to express individuality and challenge traditional gender roles in dance.

💡Lead and Follow

In the context of partner dancing, 'lead and follow' refers to the roles that dancers take on during a dance. The 'leader' initiates movements, while the 'follower' responds to those movements. The video emphasizes the idea that these roles are not strictly gendered and can be taken by anyone, regardless of their gender identity. This concept is central to Angie and Audrey's mission to create a more inclusive dance community.

💡Queer Dance Community

The term 'queer dance community' refers to a group of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ and come together to celebrate and practice dance. In the video, Angie and Audrey are working to create such a community in Austin, where people can express themselves freely without being confined by traditional gender roles or expectations. This community is a safe space for people to explore their identities and connect with others who share similar experiences.

💡Non-Binary

Non-binary is a term used to describe a gender identity that does not fit within the traditional binary understanding of male or female. In the video, Angie and Audrey advocate for a non-binary approach to dance, where individuals are free to lead or follow without being restricted by their gender. This concept is integral to their mission of making the salsa community more inclusive and diverse.

💡Celia Cruz

Celia Cruz was a Cuban singer known as the 'Queen of Salsa' due to her significant contributions to the genre. She was a pioneer in bringing Afro-Cuban rhythms to the forefront and was known for her powerful performances. In the video, Angie mentions Celia Cruz as an example of a figure who helped shape salsa's rich history and cultural significance.

💡Palladium Era

The Palladium Era refers to a period in the 1940s and 1950s when the Palladium Ballroom in New York City was a hub for Latin music and dance. It was a time when various cultural influences came together, contributing to the development of salsa as we know it today. The video mentions this era as part of the historical context that shaped salsa dance and music.

💡Diversity

Diversity refers to the variety of different cultures, experiences, and perspectives present in a community. In the video, Austin is described as a diverse city with vibrant communities from various cultural backgrounds, which contributes to the rich tapestry of dance and music in the area. Angie and Audrey's work is about embracing this diversity and creating an inclusive space for all.

💡Expression

Expression in dance refers to the way dancers communicate emotions, ideas, or stories through their movements. In the video, Angie and Audrey emphasize the importance of expression in dance, arguing that it should be a personal and authentic experience for each individual, regardless of their gender or background. This idea is central to their mission to create a more inclusive dance community.

💡Inclusivity

Inclusivity is the practice of including and valuing everyone, regardless of their differences. In the video, Angie and Audrey are working to make the salsa community more inclusive by challenging traditional gender roles and creating a space where everyone can participate and express themselves freely. Their efforts are aimed at breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging for all dancers.

💡Gender Roles

Gender roles are the expectations about how individuals should behave based on their gender. In the context of the video, traditional gender roles in dance have often dictated who can lead and who must follow. Angie and Audrey are challenging these roles by advocating for a more fluid understanding of leadership and participation in dance, allowing individuals to choose their roles based on personal preference rather than gender.

💡Resistance

Resistance in the video refers to the act of opposing or challenging societal norms and expectations, particularly those related to gender and power dynamics. By creating a queer dance community and promoting non-binary ideas in salsa, Angie and Audrey are resisting traditional gender roles and advocating for a more equal and inclusive dance culture.

Highlights

Angie Egea's initial fascination with leading in salsa dancing.

Angie's desire for the choice to lead or follow in dance.

The couple's mission to create a queer dance community and spread non-binary ideas.

Angie and Audrey's work to make the salsa community more inclusive in Austin, Texas.

The diversity and vibrancy of Austin's Puerto Rican and Latin American communities.

Audrey Guerrero's personal journey from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. and her coming out through salsa.

The connection and duality of feminine and masculine in Audrey's dance style.

Angie Egea's Colombian background and her pursuit of a dance career in the U.S.

The historical roots of salsa in Caribbean political issues and Afro-Cuban rhythms.

The influence of Cuban immigrants and Latin jazz on the development of salsa.

The integration of different dance movements into salsa during the Palladium Era in New York.

The traditional binary portrayal of salsa and Angie's reaction to seeing women leading.

Audrey and Angie's mission to amplify the queer dance community in Austin.

The importance of creating art and being respected as a dance couple.

The idea of expressing oneself on the dance floor without gender constraints.

The resistance to exclusivity through dance and the power of movement to find oneself.

The encouragement for viewers to keep dancing and explore more episodes of 'If Cities Could Dance'.