Podcast Summary: "Do You Dance in NYC?"

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Kusha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Robert Royston, world champion dancer & choreographer
Air Date: August 14, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode explores NYC’s rich and vibrant dance scene, offering advice for newcomers, highlighting ways to get involved regardless of age or experience, and celebrating the social, emotional, and physical benefits of dance. Kusha Navadar interviews Robert Royston—a decorated dancer, choreographer, and beloved teacher—as they answer listener questions and demystify joining the city’s dance culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NYC as a Dance Capital (00:52–02:14)

• Introduction to NYC's dance legacy:
  • NYC is home to a diverse array of dance styles—swing, salsa, hip hop, breaking—all with roots in the city.
  • Dance as a tool for meeting people, staying fit, and picking up wedding-worthy skills.

2. Overcoming Fear—First Steps on the Dance Floor (03:11–09:26)

• Normalizing dance anxiety:
  • Nearly everyone feels nervous or self-conscious at the outset.
  • “Things like singing, public speaking, dancing—very vulnerable, right? You kind of can't hide behind anything.” — Robert Royston [03:13]
• Early influences:
  • Robert shares formative family stories, learning to dance at an Italian wedding, and how his background challenged traditional “American” stereotypes about men and dance.
• Advice for anxious beginners:
  • Recognize nerves as a sign you care.
  • Give yourself grace to experience the “awkward stage.”
  • Try online classes for a head start and approach teachers with honesty.
  • “Being nervous usually means that you care... So to be nervous means you care about something. Well, caring's a good thing, right?” — Robert Royston [08:12]

3. Learning Dance—From Social Aid to Competition (06:00–06:36)

• Robert’s experience:
  • Danced over 30 styles, transitioned from social dancer to competitor.
  • Found competitive dance as appealing as other high school sports.

4. Listener Q&A: Practical Dance Advice

A. Wedding Dance Tips (10:01–14:26)

• Caller Lisa: Seeks advice for her son and future daughter-in-law, plus her own mother-son dance.
  • Robert’s recommendations:
    • Search for local Arthur Murray or Fred Astaire studios for specialized “wedding packages.”
    • Studios will assess skills and recommend a simple dance (e.g., foxtrot, nightclub two-step).
    • For tall/short parent-child pairings, focus on emotion, not technical perfection: “What everybody wants to see is a son loving his mom... Don't overthink it.” — Robert Royston [12:02]

B. Returning to Dance After a Break (15:53–17:03)

• Natalie (text): Former tango dancer wants to rejoin after pandemic hiatus.
  • Look up "Tango NYC" or "NYC Tango" for reputable studios and events (e.g. EPA Studio, Mariana Parma, Mariela Franganillo, Walter Leo).
  • “If you want to dance tango, it is so easy to find it in Manhattan. There's tons of it.” — Robert Royston [16:32]

C. Community Dancing & Resources (17:12–18:33)

• Sheila: Highlights Dance Long Island at Moose Lodge, and the website DanceCalendar.com for events in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens.
• East Coast swing with touches of west coast; emphasis on community and fun.

D. No Partner? No Problem (18:45–20:02)

• Chris: Wants to learn without a partner.
  • Most group classes rotate partners—singles are welcome and often needed, especially leaders.
  • “Most...are follow-heavy. So, please...go find a ballroom dance class, a salsa class, a swing class, a hustle class, whatever... We need leaders.” — Robert Royston [19:19]

E. Dancing at Any Age (20:02–21:18)

• Question: Advice for a “healthy, vibrant 70-year-old” who lost her dance partner.
  • Many studios have senior classes or open rotation.
  • “I have a student...in their 80s... who moves great...” — Robert Royston [20:54]

F. Recommended Classes & Shoes for Beginners (21:18–24:45)

• Text from Rhonda: 68, female, wants to dance swing a few times a week, asks about shoes.
  • At first: wear comfortable shoes (e.g., tennis shoes). Buy dance shoes only after deciding to stick with it.
  • Before choosing a style, identify what you want from dance (performance? fitness? socializing?) and the music that excites you.
  • For performance-feel: Broadway Dance Center, Ailey Extension, etc.
  • For socializing: match your favorite music with a suitable style—e.g., West Coast Swing for contemporary, Lindy Hop for vintage jazz, salsa for Latin music.
  • “If you don't love the music, you're not gonna love the dance.” — Robert Royston [23:44]

5. Shoutouts & Local Dance Opportunities (21:18–25:59)

• Notable community suggestions:
  • West African dance classes: Alvin Ailey Extension, Mark Morris, Kumbay Studios.
  • Barefoot Boogie—monthly freestyle dance in Brooklyn (24:45)
  • NYC salsa scene is huge—“There is so much salsa in this city. Just Google salsa classes New York City.” — Robert Royston [25:58]

6. Gender Roles in Dance: Leading & Following (24:45–26:23)

• More women want to dance than men in classes; many women pick up “leader” roles.
• “I find joy in doing both [roles]. So, like that caller—a perfect example of going, okay, I'm going to start to lead.” — Robert Royston [25:40]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On nerves and vulnerability: “Being nervous usually means that you care... So to be nervous means you care about something.” — Robert Royston [08:12]

• On emotion over perfection: “Don’t overthink that moment to where the emotion... isn’t there because you’re too busy worrying about your steps.” — Robert Royston [12:02]

• On learning as an adult: “We have to give ourselves the grace to go through the awkward stage. You have to tell yourself, 'This is okay.'” — Robert Royston [07:35]

• On NYC’s dance options: “There is so much salsa in this city. Just Google salsa classes New York City.” — Robert Royston [25:58]

• Advice for everyone: “I promise you, it’ll improve your life.” — Robert Royston [27:07]

Important Resources and Timestamps

• NYC Studios & Events:

  • Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire (wedding packages) [11:01]
  • DanceCalendar.com [18:21]
  • Tango NYC / EPA Studio (Manhattan) [16:31]
  • Alvin Ailey Extension, Mark Morris, Kumbay Studios (West African, other dance styles) [21:18]
  • Broadway Dance Center, Ailey Extension (performance/jazz/contemporary) [22:50]
  • Barefoot Boogie, Brooklyn (freestyle) [24:45]
  • NYC WCS, NYC Lindy (swing calendars on Instagram) [23:44]

• Robert's Classes & Events:

  • Tuesdays, 6:30pm, EPA (Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine) Studio, Manhattan (Intro to West Coast Swing) [26:27]
  • Swingle Bell Rock—holiday weekend swing dance event, Morristown, NJ [26:47]
  • Robert’s Instagram for updates [26:55]

Takeaways for Aspiring NYC Dancers

• Dance is for everyone—regardless of age, experience, or whether you have a partner.
• Social and community classes abound—many are welcoming for singles, especially men willing to learn as leaders.
• Success starts with picking a style connected to the music you love.
• Start with comfortable shoes; only invest in specialized dance gear once you’re committed.
• Finding a studio, teacher, or community is as easy as a Google search or using resources like DanceCalendar.com or studio Instagrams.
• Above all: “Get out there and dance. I promise you it’ll improve your life.” — Robert Royston [27:07]

This episode highlights just how deep and welcoming NYC's dance community can be—whether you're seeking exercise, friends, performance, or simply joy. Listeners are empowered to embrace the awkward stages, overcome nerves, and start moving.