The Keenan McKenzie Sextet
A Benny Goodman Tribute (Saturday Evening)
Inspired by the remarkable small group recordings of Benny Goodman, the Keenan McKenzie Sextet presents a night of balboa favorites, with the classic sounds of clarinet, guitar, and vibraphone. The group features veterans of major dance events like All Balboa Weekend, Hot Rhythm Holiday, I *Heart* Bal, Bal-Ast Off, and the California Balboa Classic. Expect precise recreations of Goodman arrangements, new adaptations, and a few surprises!
***Competition finals will be danced live to Keenan’s band during the Saturday evening dance.***
DJs
Allison Meeks
Head DJ and Music Coordinator
Allison began DJing swing music when she was a baby Lindy Hopper in college at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since then, she has become a regular swing DJ in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C. area and is the DJ coordinator for the Lindy Lab, a weekly dance in Durham. Her venues have ranged from local dance halls and breweries to nationwide events like ABW and Ballast Off. Recently, she was the Head DJ for Lindy Focus 2021. Allison is passionate about sharing swing music that inspires new and experienced dancers alike. She’s a fan of catchy melodies, small group arrangements, and a good clarinet solo (not necessarily in that order).
Ann Sychterz
Ann began swing dancing in 2008 in Waterloo, Canada (not far from Toronto) and now lives in the US. Since getting her first songs, she has DJed in her home scenes including the one she founded in Switzerland called Swingtime Lausanne. She has had the fortune of playing swing jazz including head and competition DJ for events around the world. Digging through old stuff and new (soft spot for the original stuff), small group to big band to Newport, North American and European, she aims to create an atmosphere worthy of creativity and playing around with the dance.
Laura Windley
Laura began DJ’ing in Greenville, NC in 2001 for the yet-to-be-formed ECU Swing Dance Club, chosen by default because she had the most swing CDs (which, at the time, was about 10). Since then, her music collection has expanded greatly to become a joyous selection of swinging music. She loves female vocalists, bouncy instrumental tunes, songs with lyrics that make her laugh, and, above all, hot trombone solos.
Connor Cole
Connor Cole is excited to be contributing music for For Follows’ Sake for the first time this year. He has previously DJed for All Balboa Weekend, Northwest Balboa Festival and most recently at New York Balboa Week and I Heart Bal. He loves sharing both familiar favorites and obscurities, and he can’t wait to watch the dance floor from the DJ booth.