Ricky Martel of Rogers Park on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ricky Martel. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Ricky, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I love music. Just about anything can remind me of a song and then as soon as possible I want to go listen to it. Next thing I know I’m moving on to another song I love and before I know it an hour has gone by! It’s my love of music that made me want to be a dancer. Dancing became the best way for me to express how much I loved a song. Country Dancing specifically is now the manifestation of my love of the best of country music old and new. When I go down the rabbit hole of listening to one song after another and losing track of time it reminds me that I am doing exactly what I want to be doing with the Second City Outlaws.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
The Second City Outlaws deliver the Best In Country Dancing Fun and Entertainment. We love to involve audience participation by getting the crowds up on their feet to enjoy some fun and easy line dance lessons before we perform. In our performances we are proud to represent the best of country music old and new. We have a proud commitment to be open and inclusive to all.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was in one of my first country dancing performing groups it was exclusively gay men. I used to believe that was the only image I wanted to be a part of. It came from the history of gay men not having a place or a space for dancing together.

I am happy to have become wiser with age and to come to the realization that welcoming inclusivity is a much better place to be.

An organization with diversity, equity and inclusion is a better community. We are stronger together.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
When one door closes, another door opens. So when a previous performance group disbanded, instead of giving up, it became an opportunity to build something even bigger and better.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
We are all about diversity, equity and inclusion. Our team is like a family that covers the entire LGBTQIA spectrum of community members and allies of every age, race and gender identity.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Being a board member of the Second City Outlaws and serving as the creative director is exactly what I was born to do. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to fully utilize my love of the best of country music old and new and bring it to life with a wide variety of styles of dance.

It’s especially joyful to do it with a team of genuinely nice people who are passionate about contributing to the best in country dancing fun and entertainment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.secondcityoutlaws.org/
• Instagram: @secondcityoutlaws
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secondcityoutlaws
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@secondcityoutlaws
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@secondcityoutlaws

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