This week we talk with international instructor of Balboa and Lindy, Shani Brown , about learning from the original SoCal swing dancers, the reality of their culture and lives, and the invisibility and visibility of herself as a Black woman in the scene.

We also briefly reflect on and respond to the events that happened at the Capital on Nov 6, 2021. (The day before this podcast was released.) Chisomo mentions a Black woman who stormed the Capital in 2013 and was killed.  Her name was Miriam Carey, check out her story. 

(0:00) Integrated Rhythm's response and reflection on the storming of the Capital, (6:30) Shani's journey in dancing, (9:00) meeting the old timers, (12:00) working with the old timers, (20:00) training the body, not a move, (23:00) how much did the Old Timers think of your identity as a Black Woman?, (26:00) a little bit on Swing-era SoCal Cultural make up, (30:00) spending time with Old Timers, not just learning from them, (34:00) How much were the original SoCal dancers vocal of racist ideas?, (38:00) racism is the water we swim in…, (43:00) some people don't realize Shani is a Black woman…, (46:00) Shani's experiences around the world, (48:30) invisibility and visibility, (51:00) when Chisomo met Shani for the first time.

---------------

Welcome to Integrated Rhythm! Two Swing Dancing besties (Chisomo Selemani & Bobby White) navigate race and the Black Experience in the world of Jazz Dance and other Afro-centric social dancing. Our goal is comfortable conversations about uncomfortable things. In this episode...

Our music is by Laurel Ryan & Michelle Stokes, our "We're back! song" was an improvisation by Steffanie AK Schilling, and the background drumming is by Bobby White

Find us at your local podcast ap, or at: https://anchor.fm/integratedrhythm 

Please donate to help keep us in business:

Patreon: patreoncom/integratedrhythm

PayPal: [email protected]

Venmo: @bobbyswungover

(Where applicable, lease put the note "IR" in it, so that we know it's for the podcast.)