Following dance’s lead behind the scenes and into everyday life.
Unexpected connections and directions emerge. Co-hosted by FFDN’s Artistic Director, Ilter Ibrahimof, and Turn Out Radio's Nicole Hamilton, Mambo – the new podcast from FFDN – brings you stories about encounters with, through and beyond dance. A first-time dance festival experience leads to a first-time baseball game. A cancelled choreographic work transforms into an audio production. Forlorn dance festival objects find solace in a group counselling session. Follow your co-hosts’ curiosity as dance leads them into human and humorous exchange.
Mambo tells stories that swing to the rhythm of our modern lives. A 6-episode first season premiered during FFDN's 6th annual festival in October 2020.
Mambo is also available for download on the following platforms:




Why the name Mambo?
The word "mambo" means "conversation with the gods" in Kikongo, the language spoken by Kongo slaves taken to Cuba. Mambo is a latin music rhythm and a style of dance that rose to prominence in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Its definitive musical arrangements are attributed to the Cuban pianist Damaso Perez Prado. Cuban dancers, who originated the form, described Mambo as “feelling the music,” merging sound and movement through the body. FFDN is committed to advancing diverse genres of dance on our stages and throughout our programming. We honour the inherent synergy of Mambo dance by naming our our new podcast series, MAMBO - stories that swing to the rhythm of our modern lives. More information on the origins of Mambo, can be found here and here.