Zouk Nation - "Zouk is the dance of the 21st Century"

He is probably the Zouk artist I’ve received the most questions about. For months now you people have written me suggesting I interview the man. As they say, your wish is my command. So join me as I sit down with Nilton Ramalho and talk about growing up in Holland, being a member of the award winning band Quatro+, and some of the challenges one faces when making the transition to a solo career. Click here to read the full article.

The first time I encountered Festo DJ’s music was when I heard his stunning remix of Chris Issak’s, “Wicked Game.” I liked it so much I ended up adding it to the third episode of the Zouk Nation Podcast. I have since become familiar with a lot of his music and many of his songs are now among the most requested in the New York Brazilian Zouk dance scene. I recently sat down with Festo DJ to talk about his career, how he finds his music, and the challenges one faces in being a DJ.

The second part of my interview with Greg Miller, the Founder and Executive Director of Dance Parade in which we discuss some of the logistical problems in staging such a massive event, along with some of the financial challenges, and the group’s long term goal.

Part 2

This Saturday, May 22nd, 2010, is the 4th annual Dance Parade. I recently sat down with Greg Miller, the Parade’s Founder and Executive Director, to talk about his own involvement in dance, the personal epiphany that led to the creation of the largest annual dance event in New York City, and the Parade’s connection to the city’s controversial Cabaret Law.

Part I

She has a critically acclaimed album and is responsible for two of the largest hits in the Brazilian Zouk dance scene, “Um Chance,” and “Vida,” in the past several years, and yet very few people would seem to know her name. But with the release of her upcoming new album, “Reloaded,” it would appear that is all about to change. Join me as I sit down with Marcia, one of Zouk’s hottest rising stars, to talk about her life growing up in Germany, the challenges one faces breaking into the music scene, and her new album. Click here to read the full interview.

The second part of my interview with Alen MacWeeney, whose Brazilian Zouk Photo Exhibition opens this Thursday, February 25th at Lava Gina in the East Village.

Part II

This Thursday, February 25th marks the opening of the Brazilian Zouk Photo Exhibition at Lava Gina in the East Village. I recently sat down with Alen to discuss his life, some of the challenges that a photographer faces working in the digital age, and his recent fascination with Zouk.

During the holiday season, Suzanna Lubrano, one of the largest Cape Verdean Zouk recording artists, was kind enough to take time out from her busy schedule to sit down with Zouk Nation and talk about her life growing up in Rotterdam, some of the challenges one faces in being a “multi-cultural artist,” and her thoughts on how new technologies are changing the recording industry.

Click here to read the full interview.