Arctic Talent: Dance like no one is listening

John Manzo is Galaxy Cat, a multifarious artist who performs with panache.

He hosts the soundscape that animates the 200 guests who turn out to his twice-annual silent discos at Iqaluit’s Franco-Centre.

The fifth one is slated for Sept. 26.

A silent disco involves three DJs spinning clashing genres of music that are pumped into participants’ headphones through radio frequencies. Each reveller tunes in to the channel of their choice.

Most come costumed.

Fairies, astronauts, dinosaurs, fuzzy animals, pirates, space cowgirls, and at least one Cookie Monster have turned out to Galaxy Cat’s four past events.

Those without costumes don neon, fishnets, or just loud colours with unique hats or wigs.

”Whatever makes you feel happy,” Manzo said.

The next event features DJ Miel who spins Latin music and house — a type of electronic music that speeds up to 130 beats per minute.

Beside her is DJ Will, whose musical taste is confined to the last two decades of the 20th century and the first decade of this one.

Then there’s Galaxy Cat, who purrs for drum and bass — a sub-genre of electronic dance music with fast breakbeat drum patterns and heavy basslines.

“Because nobody else plays it in town,” Manzo said of why he chooses this style over others.

The opening hour belongs to Deadbeatz, who plays a mix of Afrobeats and disco.

Manzo describes how he morphed from a Mississauga, Ont., dance instructor into a cool Arctic cat.

Early teenhood: Manzo starts formal dance lessons in Toronto.

“I was a theatre kid in high school and was in a singing group,” he said.

Late teenhood and early adulthood: Young Manzo lands “a bunch” of bit parts in locally filmed movies and tv shows.

“If I name them my friends might find the films and tease me,” he said.

He works as a sound and spotlight operator at Toronto’s Heritage Theatre then plays steel drum in a band while studying dance and education in university.

His dancing goes pro when he achieves certification in ballroom and Latin styles, permitting him to teach at elite dance studios.

2007-2009: Manzo teaches dance at Blueheel Dance Studios in Mississauga, Ont., eventually becoming studio manager.

2012: Manzo lands in Iqaluit.

“I wanted to work my way west through all the territories and eventually end up in B.C.,” he said.

His love for the Arctic foils that plot, and he remains in the North.

He guest-instructs for the Iqaluit Social Dance Club, a dance group that started in the 1990s. He eventually becomes the regular instructor and continues teaching into the present.

2013-2015: Manzo plays bongos and “anything that kept a beat” in local bands Latinos de Nieve and Koel and the Twin Otters.

The hip cat joins the rat race and works for the Government of Nunavut.

2016-2023: Manzo hosts a slew of live entertainment events, including bon fire parties accompanied by DJ music.

2024: Manzo drops more than $20,000 for a professional DJ set-up, including booth and soundboard, 200 headsets, fog and bubble machines, and other tech.

Galaxy Cat hosts the first silent disco at the Franco-Centre.

Talent Tip: “A costume acts like a shield for those who are a bit shy,” he said. “They can just let loose and be their more authentic selves.”