The Dance Union

In this week’s episode, j. and Veronica share how their body and mind have settled after the election results, particularly emphasizing their point-of-view on the circulating feelings of doom and gloom that have been amplified by the algorithm, as well as their observations on the patterns of passings of elders to ancestors in the wake of Judith Jamison’s passing. While we come to terms with the r...

Recorded on election day before the polls had closed, j. and Veronica consider how our ancestors (those who fought not only for freedom, but also oppression) have shaped our current political climate, as well as how to determine which ancestor is guiding our actions. From the sheer loss of mail-in ballots to the fires set in ballot boxes, they use the Voting Rights Act to discuss the longstanding...

As we come to terms with the results of last night’s presidential election, j. and Veronica pose conversations that are necessary for us to consider in our own bodies as we figure out how to sustainably support our communities around us. Where is liberation in astrology? Where is liberation and community in our bodies? Why should we practice intentional joy and gratitude and resist the urge to doo...

Join j. bouey, Veronica Jiao, and Troy Ogilvie as they explore how training in western dance forms, especially ballet, affects our improvised movement, as well as how training in western dance forms stifles our natural movement leading to constrained movement in the club. Ultimately, how can training in a dance form developed in a royal court create a crisis when trying to connect with our own anc...

This week’s episode, recorded shortly following the one-year anniversary of October 7th, features j. bouey and Veronica Jiao, who discuss how this past year of resistance shaped their personal and professional lives. What has Palestine taught us about resistance, as we not only resist for Palestine, but also for our rights as working professionals? How has this year of grief, in which we continue...

Germaul Barnes (he/his/they) and j. sit down to discuss not only how cultivating joy has become intertwined with their careers, but also how joy is essential in resistance. They reflect on how their ancestors held on to joy even in the face of enslavement, exploring what we can learn from that legacy and how we can use joy as a means of caring for our bodies while engaging in any form of resistanc...

In this episode, j. passes the mic to Kayla Hamilton (she/her) and Jerron Herman (he/him) to discuss their experiences navigating the dance world with disabilities, as well as what it means to be a “disabled artist”. How do historical movements, such as that during the AIDS epidemic, inform their own work as they maneuver through the disability arts movement? How do spaces made by and centered aro...

In a special episode, j. passes the mic to three organizers from Dancers for Palestine (D4P), Leila (she/her), Hallie Chametzky (she/her), and Nadia Khayrallah (they/them), so that they can facilitate a discussion amongst the three of themselves about the history of their own relationships with Palestine, Zionism and the repercussions of being pro-Palestinian & having an Arab identity in the dance...

In this episode of The Dance Union Podcast, j. was joined by two entrepreneurs, Antuan Byers and Tamisha A. Guy, to discuss why and how their organizations, Black Change Makers and HUETAPE, respectively, came to fruition. How did their experiences as Black dancers in the industry lead them to found organizations that filled a need of the Black community that the general dance industry was not answ...

In the latest episode of The Dance Union Podcast, Sydnie L. Mosley (she/her) chats with j. bouey (they/them) about the challenges and lessons learned in running a start-up. They dive into the gaps in knowledge that an MFA can't fill, the importance of building relationships and a network that can help fill these gaps, and the struggles of navigating large institutions that often lack adequate supp...

foster (she/they) and j. discuss the experience that sparked foster’s inspiration for Black Intimacy Practice and PLAY CHURCH, delving into the necessity of these spaces for fat Black queer and disabled folks. How does one who is fat Black queer and disabled reclaim access to their body (physically, socially, and spiritually) in a culture that makes it painful to do so? What is play and how do we...

How do we gain the confidence to advocate to tour management for the support that we and our co-artists need? How do we grapple with the desire to join and support an organized movement in our community and the reality of financial circumstances? What is HR, what do they actually do, and why do many dance environments not have HR? How do we deal with constantly being under surveillance and unable...

Did you know Makini does taxes?! Well, they certainly do and they have some great advice to share with us on how we can navigate through this tax season and the ones to come. (Recorded: March 12, 2024) Makini (jumatatu m. poe) http://thefabulistsagenda.com/makinidoestaxes/ The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCA...

Have y’all ever applied for funding and wanted more transparency about what’s going on behind the scenes? Well, Melanie and j. bouey are here to discuss just that from their many experiences around the application and funding processes. (recorded: August 07, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* Patre...

Lee joins Melanie in a conversation to discuss cultivating community after graduate school. It isn't as easy or hard as you'd expect. (Recorded: March 23, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* Patreon: www.patreon.com/danceunion Venmo: @Dance-Union HOSTS Melanie Greene www.methodsofperception.com/ IG:...

"The Discotheque is where I go to experience unmatched joy and profound sadness". Peter Elizade talks with us about making performance for the club, and the freedoms and challenges supported in that environment. (Recorded: March 2, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* Patreon: www.patreon.com/danceun...

Brian Polite joins us to reflect on the evolution of club culture, Dance's impact in shaping the culture, and the fight, of many, to not be washed away in the roaring sands of time. (Recorded: March 14, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* Patreon: www.patreon.com/danceunion Venmo: @Dance-Union HOSTS...

Nubian Néné is a Waacking phenom and world-class performer cultivating spaces for Black folks to experience the liberative power of Waacking. She joins us to talk with us about the history of Waacking and her journey with it. (Recorded: May 23, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* Patreon: www.patreo...

If you haven't heard of Doorstep Dancemart, we are more than happy to introduce you to one of the most joyful, dance-filled, mutual-aid events that is Doorstep Dancemart! Porshia Derival and Yvonne Chow joined us to reflect on the history of this service and their experience as the lead organizers or Doorstep Dancemart. (Recorded: March 23, 2023) H+ / Doorstep Dancemart https://www.hdcny.org/dance...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Laura Stein as she reflects on her decision to step down from her leadership position with Dancing Grounds as the cofounder. (Recorded: March 7, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* Patreon: www.patreon.com/danceunion Venmo: @Dance-Union HOST Melanie Greene...

Candace Thompson-Zachery, Dance/NYC's Director of Programming and Justice Initiatives, joined us to walk us through the services Dance/NYC offers to the field of dance and freelance dance artists in NYC. (Recorded: March 16, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* Patreon: www.patreon.com/danceunion Ven...

Acupunture's history is rooted in the hands of the people. Due to a conglomerate of oppressive forces, the freedom to practice acupuncture and receive treatment has become a luxury. Kim Soo and Samantha Weese join us to discuss how they navigate through this system to make acupuncture more accessible to the people. (Recorded: May 25, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunio...

Join us for a wonderful conversation with zavé martohardjono as they explore the post-show lull with Melanie Greene. (Recorded: March 9, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* Patreon: www.patreon.com/danceunion Venmo: @Dance-Union HOSTS Melanie Greene www.methodsofperception.com/ IG: @laniereene Patre...

Join us for a jubilant episode featuring the incredible Melanie George and the fabulous LaTasha Barnes! Prepare to be charmed as these dynamic dancing divas dive into the depths of time and explore how the wisdom of time is present in Blackness and Jazz Dance. (Recorded: April 27, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DAN...

Feel the rhythm and feel the beat with our season premiere! In this episode, we'll be discussing our macro and micro concerns about the dance industry with a focus on REST. We hope you restfully enjoy this episode and the full season to come! (recorded: June 15, 2023) The Dance Union TheDanceUnionPodcast.com IG: @thedanceunion FB: www.facebook.com/TheDanceUnion/ *SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST* P...