DJs & Emcee
Head DJ: Michael Gamble (USA)
Michael Gamble is a world-renowned swing DJ who has had the pleasure of doing his thing for events large and small for the better part of 10 years. He has played for countless exchanges and workshops in over 35 US cities, including the Rhythmic Arts Festival, the International Lindy Hop Championships, and Lone Star Championships. He has been head DJ for Beantown Lindy Hop Camp, is excited to have been selected as head DJ for the European Swing Dance Championships, and is the competition music coordinator and a head organizer for Lindy Focus. Michael believes in playing music that was created with swing dancing in mind. Depending on the event, that can include a wide range of music from the bouncy two-beat of early jazz and Charleston music, to hard swinging-out music from the mid- and late-30′s big bands, to the more boogie, bop, and modern-twinged combo’s of the late 40′s and early 50′s. Contemporary “trad-jazz” and New Orleans musicians are not to be neglected, though, and he takes some time within each set to acknowledge the efforts of the many amazing living musicians of today. Overall, Michael relishes in the unlimited joy and energy of all styles of swing music, and looks forward to sharing that enthusiasm with the dancers he meets at each swing event. Michael is also co-owner of iDance.net, a proud sponsor of the European Swing Dance Championships.
michaelandjaya.com | lindyfocus.com | southernbelleswingbash.com | idance.net
Master of Ceremonies: Mark Kihara (USA)
Mark Kihara creates a party wherever he goes. Emceeing some of the biggest swing dance events in the world, he has become a voice for everyone who loves to swing. Mark has served as Master of Ceremonies for national and international dance events across the USA and around the world. Mark is also an admired swing DJ, and is responsible for coordinating the DJ music of Sweden’s Herrang Dance Camp, the largest Lindy Hop & jazz dance festival in the world. Furthermore, as a dancer and instructor, he is known for bringing incredible passion and enthusiasm to the dancefloor. Mark has trained under some of the legends of Lindy Hop, danced in over ten countries and has a slew of competition wins to his name. Just don’t ask him to sing.
