The Oíste? Podcast is a podcast series that delves into the world of salsa by documenting the captivating stories of the people who contribute to it. Each episode takes listeners on a rhythmic journey through topics such as dance, personal stories, oral histories, and culture - From stories of nonbinary dancing to Mickey Melendez’s oral history testimony.
Hosted by Melissa Hurtado (American Conservation Experience, Heritage Education Fellow) and Hermán Luis Chávez (National Council for Preservation Education Latino Cultural Resources Intern), the podcast features interviews with celebrated dancers, a park ranger, music journalists, and historians. Through their personal experiences and professional expertise, listeners get an insight into the different elements of salsa and the profound impacts of them on people’s lives.
The Oíste? Podcast series is made for both salsa enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The series invites listeners to immerse themselves in the infectious rhythms and melodies of salsa while gaining a deeper appreciation for the personal stories that have kept salsa alive. Whether you’re an experienced dancer or have two left feet, this podcast series promises a good time as its weaves the different threads of history, culture, and personal experiences together to honor and preserve the enduring legacy of salsa.
Episode 1: Salsa Stories 101
Oíste? Listening to the Stories of Afro Latin Music documents salsa stories in diverse ways including an online exhibit, explorations into salsa history, and this podcast. In Episode 1: Salsa Stories 101, Hermán and Melissa explain the elements of the Oíste? Project, discuss why salsa stories are important, and share a few of our very own salsa stories.
Episode 2: A Park Ranger's Salsa Memories
Documenting salsa stories contributes to the preservation of Salsa history since many historical accounts still live in people’s memories rather than history books. In Episode 2: A Park Ranger’s Salsa Memories, Daniel Agudelo shares what it's like to work for the NPS, tell us some of his salsa stories, and gives us some insight into what salsa preservation can look like through the NPS.
Episode 3: Bailando Juntas: Salsa Dancing Beyond the Binary
Dance is a vital element of salsa culture, as people express themselves in spaces from family homes to national competitions. However, salsa dancing can often be restricted to binary gender roles. In Episode 3: Bailando Juntas: Salsa Dancing Beyond the Binary, we interview non-binary dance couple Angie Egea and Audrey Guerrero, who share their personal and professional stories of transforming salsa dancing.
Please note: This podcast features terms including LGBTQ+, nonbinary, and queer. The LGBTQ acronym has multiple forms. The Q generally stands for queer or questioning. Sometimes A (asexual), I (intersex), and + is added in recognition of additional non-straight, non-cisgender identities. In this podcast, the word queer is used by individuals to refer to their own identity. Nonbinary is used to describe a way of dancing.
Episode 4: Ritmos, Comunidad, and Oral Histories
Oral history is vital for salsa history as it captures the lived experiences, perspectives, and contributions of those involved in the culture. In Episode 4: Ritmos, Comunidad and Oral Histories, Marcos Echeverria Ortiz talks about Where We Were Safe, an ongoing interactive oral history map/archive that focuses on collecting memories about the lost and destroyed Salsa music places in New York City. In this episode, we listen and reflect to two testimonies from the oral history archive: Mickey Melendez and Aurora Flores. Both Micky's and Aurora's testimonies provided insights to the deep connections between Salsa, place, and community.
Episode 5: Writing and Broadcasting the Spirit of Salsa
Beyond the sounds of music and movements of dance, salsa is made up of the composers, songwriters, and journalists who write for and about salseros. In Episode 5: Writing and Broadcasting the Spirit of Salsa, we discuss the life of composer and songwriter Tite Curet Alonso with journalist Felix Contreras, who also highlights the importance of Afro Latin identity in salsa marketing and lyrics.
Episode 6: Sembrando Stewardship
The NPS believes in responsible stewardship of our public lands and heritage. In Episode 6: Sembrando Stewardship, Hermán and Melissa recap their favorite moments of the season and share some ways you can continue to learn more about salsa in your own life and community so that together we can all take part in sembrando stewardship, or cultivating stewardship.
The " Oíste? Listening to the Salsa Stories of Afro Latin Music" project was authored by interns, fellows, and scholars with the Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education including Elisa Alfonso, Marjorie Justine Antonio, Hermán Luis Chávez, Melissa Hurtado, Jade Ryerson and designed by Hermán Luis Chávez and Melissa Hurtado.
Acknowledgements: Alejandro Garcia-Maldonado, Alexandra Tarantino, Alison Russell, Amanda Schramm, Andres Espinoza, Angelita Alvino, Barbara Little, Blanca Stransky, Cynthia Hernandez, Derrick León Washington, Eleanor Mahoney, Elisa Alfonso, Ella Wagner, Frances Aparicio, Herman Luis Chavez, Jade Ryerson, James Barry, James Nyman, Jessica Dauterive, Laura Phillips Alvarez, Marcos Echeverria Ortiz, Marjorie Justine Antonio, Megan Springate, Melissa Hurtado, Michael Birenbaum Quintero, Noel Lopez, Paloma Bolasny, Roberta Wendel, Sarah Lane, Teresa Moyer
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service