Retrace Your Steps

This could not be a more perfect episode to close out Season 3, y'all! Happy New Year! Today's guest is none other than Professor Bernard Brown. Step in to this warm, thoughtful space and we discuss many common threads between us including the Los Angeles native experience. It's going to get honest, intimate, vulnerable...and maybe even naked as we Retrace the steps of this beautiful Black and Queer Dance maker and educator. So, take a deep breath and let's step back into time, starting in South Central LA... Bernard Brown: IG - @bb.moves @renaissancebrown Email - [email protected] Ariana Toriz: IG - @hernameis.ari @saltcircle.dance Email - [email protected]

We are nearing the end of the season, and we have another amazingly talented Queer Black Woman to uplift...trumpet sounds...Britta Grant. Britta has had an upward slope in her career and has worked with the likes of Zendaya, Cher, and even muvva, herself...Beyonce! We dive into those experiences and stories on this episode, as well as her humble beginnings in the nightclub scene. This incredible young artist has a lot to say, especially as an advocate. The gurls are gonna gab...so find your seat. The show is starting! Britta Grant: IG - @Britta_grant email - [email protected] Ariana Toriz: IG - @hernameis.ari @saltcircle.dance email: [email protected]

I know I say this every time...but THIS is a special episode! I have been trying to get Tinaiya Tank to sit down for a chat on the pod since the beginning! She did not disappoint. Ms. Tank shares her experiences with navigating through the world of Pro Dance Team, opens up about growing up in Lompoc, CA, reflects on our young sleepover nights, and even gives me some tips on becoming a plant parent. This remarkable, talented woman is a VERY dear friend, and I am more than happy to share with you all why that is. So, enjoy listening to us cackle, love, support, and maybe even get a little messy... Tinaiya Tank: IG- @iamtinaiya Ariana Toriz: IG - @hernameis.ari @saltcircle.dance

This has been a season of a lot of firsts, and this episode is no exception! This week we have our first double-guest session with the 2 creators of the CRay Project. Try to keep up because this 3-way dialogue moves fast! Chatiera and LaRonica share stories of growing up in Ohio, their separate challenges in their undergrad program at Kent State, and how they cultivate an inclusive, welcoming space in their burlesque group PINS. The gloves are definitely off, and it gets brutally honest...so brace yourself for this raw and uncensored conversation. Chatiera Ray: IG - @1dancing_cookie Email - [email protected] LaRonica Southerland: IG - @lalawearsprada Email - [email protected] The CRay Project: IG - @crayproject Email - [email protected] Ariana Toriz: IG - @hernameis.ari Email - [email protected] [email protected]

It's our 2nd Re-Retrace, and we're throwing it back again to an artist from yesteryear! True to form...we're keeping it Black! In 2021, we recorded this conversation where Gia Calhoun opened up about her struggles with finding her place in the dance world as a young light-skinned Black girl. She is poised, well-spoken, and elegant...but this chick has a silly side, too. She, also, has a perspective to share on implicit discrimination. Let's throw it back on this Thursday and practice some of those BAD dance moves! Gia Calhoun: IG - @giaelizabeth Ariana Toriz: IG - @hermameis.ari @saltcircle.dance

On this very special episode, we have a late night recording, appropriately, with Burlesque royalty, Kirby La Brea. We discuss an array of topics including his training at Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Queer Black representation in mainstream entertainment, his appearance on the OutTV reality competition "Gogo For The Gold," and highlights of his concert dance career. It's all family here, so we get comfortable, speak in our own language, and share a lot of love with an extra long warm up! Kirby La Brea: IG - @creoleshowboy Email - [email protected] Ariana Toriz: IG - @hernameis.ari @saltcircle.dance Email - [email protected]

It's our first Re-Retrace episode! We're throwing is back on this Thursday to Season 1, but staying on theme and keeping it Black! Travel back to the year 2020 with Ariana as she goes on location to the San Fernando Valley to visit Zantino Bustos during the height of the COVID-19 Shutdown. These two alumni of CSU Dominguez Hills discuss topics like Male Privilege in the Dance industry, the concept of "Fake It Til You Make It," and their shared experiences with leaving 9-5 jobs to pursue their Dance careers full-time. Zantino talks (when Ari is not interrupting him) about the optimism and hope of a future in the Dance community and about taking his time to reach for his dreams. So, in his words "Let's gooo!"

This is quite an episode. I hope y'all can keep up! Curtis T. Lassiter aka Finessa Jawn and I sit down and reflect on the impactful experience of working with the one and only Miss Peppermint. We have a little trouble staying on track, but this is truly a special conversation. We share our struggles with being able to express our gender in the professional Dance World, and even get a little emotional as we vulnerable share the difficulty of having to bottle up our authentic selves for hirability. Curtis/Finessa has become a very close friend and we very much are sisters under the skin. It's a cold run so I hope you're warm, Retracers! Curtis/Finessa: IG - @curtjawn Ariana Toriz: IG - @hernameis.ari @saltcircle.dance

It's an all new season of Retrace Your Steps and we're opening STRONG with James McQueen. In this episode we discuss the difference between the East and West Coast approaches to rehearsing, how James feels about "Shuckin' & Jivin," and his travels overseas. It's nothing but great energy in this conversation, Retracers, so make sure those laces are tied tight! Thank you, 5! James McQueen: IG - @the_mahkween_method @reflectshowcase @cat_call_production Email - [email protected] Ariana Toriz: IG - @Hernameis.Ari @saltrcircle.dance Email- [email protected] [email protected]

Welcome Back for Season 3! I've been hard at work; curating a line up of amazing Dance artists to sit down and chat with. I'm so excited to share with you all of these fantastic conversations. This season is PREDOMINANTLY artists of POC and Queer experience. Enjoy this tidbit with James McQueen, who checks all of those boxes!