DJs
ABQFX 2015 is a 2-track blues/fusion event, and we feel very excited about our DJs, who will provide us with a variety of styles of music.
Headliner DJs
A’lan “DJ Trtl” Abruzzo (San Francisco, CA)
With over 15 years of dance experience including Irish Folk Dancing, Victorian Ballroom, Lindy Hop, Tango, Blues and Contact Improv, A’lan has found a home in the fusion world. He strongly believes that amazing dancing is a blend of learning the fundamentals of dance technique and creating a powerful connection. His enthusiasm for the sensual, the passionate, and the experiential fuels his deep exploration into the music that moves dancers, physically, and emotionally. When he spins, he takes us on a journey into the body, the soul, the spirit and, most importantly, the joy of being human. |
Will Shaver (Eugene, OR)
Will Shaver has been social dancing for more than 15 years, exploring ballroom, west coast swing, blues, and lately fusing it all together. Of all the awards he's won for dancing, the one he's most proud of is the SwingDiego Social Dance Award given to the friendliest dancer who best embodies the spirit of social dancing. His music draws from blues to trip hop, soul to pop. Most importantly, his music makes your heart yearn to dance! |
Suzanne "DJ Big Mama" Sluizer (Albuquerque, NM)
Our head DJ, Suzanne first began to spin as an FM radio “rock jock” in Illinois longer ago than she cares to remember, and she now calls the high desert of New Mexico home. As a DJ, her passion is collaborating with dancers to create energy that keeps everyone excited to be on the floor. Nothing gives DJ Big Mama more joy than inspiring and being inspired by dancers. |
Emcee and Featured DJ
Aaron Cabral (Albuquerque, NM)
Aaron found his passion in dance over 15 years ago during the height of the swing revival in Seattle. A New Mexico native, Aaron has danced East Coast Swing, Jive, Lindy Hop, Blues, and Tango. Fusing them together in a social dance that combines skill, passion, connection, and creative expression has become what he enjoys most. But sharing this wonderful experience has brought it full circle for him. Over the years he has taught blues and swing, DJed for the local scene, and helped bring blues dancers and great local bands together. And like good dancing requires a good physical core, it is best with great music to build from, and Aaron works hard to bring that musical experience to the dance floor. |
Featured DJs
Kara Fabina (Colorado Springs, CO)
One thing that you can count on from this DJ is a vast understanding of genres. Because of her background in various dance styles, Kara brings a depth of musical knowledge appropriate for dancing. Her loves vary from House to Funk, Old School Hip Hop, Vintage Jazz, Blues, and Soul. She has a not-so-secret adoration for mashups, and has even dabbled in beat production and mixology. With a desire to be a jill-of-all-trades, she began DJing at house parties in 2011. Since then she has gone on to spin at local dance venues and events throughout the country. Based in Colorado Springs, she works to provide dancers with a variety of blues, jazz, and swing music in her sets. Find out more at her website. |
Regina Held (Albuquerque, NM)
Regina Held has been dancing Argentine tango for six years and has DJed for a little over three years. Although she loves and appreciates traditional tango music, she loves to dance tango to all kinds of music – from rock to blues, world music, and electronica – which is reflected in her DJ sets. |
John Vigil (Albuquerque, NM)
Music and dancing is an integral part of John's soul, and he is never afraid to show his passion for it. This is evident in his dancing (over 20 years), teaching dance, building a local Blues community, and DJing. As a DJ, he enjoys creating emotion on the dance floor and watching the beautiful movement that can erupt when you combine people and music in one place. In addition to DJing locally, John has also DJed at several Fusion Exchange dance events (Boston, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Denver), Atomic Blues Fusion, Rain City Blues and various other events. John is proud and enthusiastic to share his joy of music and dancing with the world, whether it is through teaching, DJ’ing, or organizing events. |