Join us for an inspiring episode with Join us as we dive into the vibrant world of salsa
with Déaglán Gibbons, a fellow Irishman and passionate salsa dancer right here in
Bristol. Discover how moving from Ireland to England sparked his love for dance, and
how salsa helped him connect with a new community. From casual social dancing to
becoming a dedicated salsa teacher, Déaglán's journey is inspiring and full of cultural
richness. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, you'll love hearing about
his experiences, his dedication to learning, and his respect for the cultural roots of
salsa.
What to expect in this episode:
(00:00) - From Ireland to Bristol.
(01:48) - Finding Community through Dance.
(03:04) - Overcoming Challenges, The Path to Mastery.
(05:16) - Turning Isolation into Opportunity.
(09:31) - Exploring Salsa's Cultural Roots.
(20:35) - Teaching the Next Generation, Transitioning to Instructor.
(25:24) - The Evolving Dynamics of Salsa Dance Roles.
About Déaglán Gibbons
Déaglán, an avid salsa dancer, hails from Ireland and currently resides in Bristol. His
passion for salsa dancing began as a casual interest, which soon transformed into a
significant part of his life. Despite initial challenges and the demanding nature of
mastering the dance, Déaglán's determination and love for the art kept him
motivated. The COVID-19 pandemic, while isolating, provided him an unexpected
opportunity to deepen his practice and refine his skills. As he immersed himself
further into the world of salsa, Déaglán not only perfected his moves but also
developed a keen interest in the cultural roots of the dance. His dedication and
growing expertise eventually led him to become an instructor, where he now shares
his knowledge and enthusiasm with others, encouraging them to find joy and
community through salsa.
About Bobbie Miles
Bobbie Miles is a social dancer and local teacher based in Bristol. The Salsa, Bachata, and Kizomba scene is special to so many, Bobbie included. However, the more she danced, the more she became aware of inappropriate behaviours in the scene, ranging from low-level “creepiness” to undeniable abuses of power. After being bullied by a teacher one time too many, Bobbie realized that she would no longer keep quiet and be subject to any sort of misconduct, and nor should anyone else. Bobbie is an advocate for speaking up, boundary setting, and respect in the dance scene. Through The Empowered Dancers Podcast, she promotes transparency, understanding, and accountability and as a public speaker, she talks about putting boundary setting and respect into practice, both on and off the dance floor.
Resources:
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