The Dance Union

Town Hall - Surviving Fascism by J. Bouey Dance Projects

From fires signifying the acceleration of the climate disaster to Trump’s inauguration and subsequent executive orders, 2025 is already giving us a premonition of what is to come. Join V and j. as they unpack what this might mean for our near future and how we can rely on community to keep a sound mind. Most of all, with how quickly AI becomes integrated into our everyday lives, how will AI shape a different reality via social media and how can we distinguish between AI and real humans?

The Dance Union

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*SUPPORT THE DANCE UNION PODCAST*

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HOSTS

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes

THERE ARE WICKED SPOILERS IN THIS EPISODE BEGINNING AT 21:30 AND CONTINUING UNTIL THE END OF THE EPISODE.

In this episode, j. and Veronica analyze the lyrics of “Defying Gravity”, reflecting on their experiences as and understanding with Elphaba and Glinda. From scrutinizing the memes that are being made about Nessarose as a disabled character to discussing their own experiences with losing friends or attracting scrutiny because of being the person in the room to stand up against clear abuses of power, they peel back the layers of the story of Wicked, unfolding how experiences in their lives mirrored themes imparted from “Defying Gravity”.

**TW for eating disorders starting at 53:00 and ending at 56:50

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

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes

j. and Veronica geek out over Wicked (spoiler free), and use inspiration from the movie’s themes and release to dive into the beauty of trying new things throughout adulthood, Veronica’s experience being signed (congrats!!!), and their vulnerable moments they have experienced in the dance studio. How has Qigong helped Veronica through her journey with depression? What is the emotional journey that we embark on when we learn new skills, or, in the case of injury, have to relearn a passion? And, as we try to handle an increasingly unstable political reality, how can weightlifting, pilates, and other forms of strength training be useful to us both for our present and future mental and physical healths?

For those who own LLCs and nonprofits: (1) j. and Veronica discuss the “Nonprofit Killer” Bill and its associated implications, and (2) j. gives a brief overview of the necessity of completing the beneficiary ownership information report (due December 27th!) for your businesses.

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

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes

Veronica is joined by guest Jonathan Smith (he/him) to scrutinize the modes of gatekeeping enacted by sign up sheet culture for open call auditions, union access, and casting directors. How can casting directors who are unknowledgeable about the dance forms they are casting in become gatekeepers, despite good intentions? In the age of technology, are casting directors even needed anymore or do they add an extra barrier for access into the dance industry? And, the question to close us out as we inch closer to January 2025: what will theater and Broadway shows look like if we enter four years under Trump?

Jonathan McClinton Smith (he/him, IG: @jonathannsmith) was most recently seen on Broadway in Disney's Aladdin. Smith has danced with Step Afrika!, The 7 Fingers, Telemundo, Cirque du Soleil’s Cirque Dreams, Les Farfadais, and many more. Smith was also in two world premieres in 2023: Malvolio (Classical Theatre of Harlem) and Watch Night (Dir & Choreo: Bill T. Jones, PAC NYC).

(recorded: November 19, 2024)

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

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes

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 results of the election, how can we express this without dismissing the fact that oppression is engrained in the United States’ past and present, no matter the administration in power? And, more importantly, how can we channel this energy into showing up for already established mutual aid efforts and organizations that have been putting in the work for years, if not decades?

*Note: j. uses their Tibetan singing ball to lead a small meditation session! For those with auditory sensitivity, this is around 9:05 and ends around 11:55.

(recorded: November 12, 2024)

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

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes

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 history of how such drastic measures to suppress voters could be so widespread. This recent piece of history that has led to widespread voter suppression leads them to question our vocabulary when we are talking about our ancestors–what are the dangers of purposefully ignoring those oppressors in our past?

*Note: Unfortunately, j.’s mic cut out in the last 30 minutes, so the episode abruptly ends! However, we will pick back up with that conversation in next week’s episode.

(recorded: November 5, 2024)

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

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes

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 doom scroll? And, as we continue our creative practice, how can we understand how fascism and the defunding of art are inherently connected?

(recorded: October 22, 2024)

And a special treat: j. Uses their Tibetan singing ball to lead a small meditation session! For those with auditory sensitivity, this is around 18:00 and ends around 20:00.

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

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes

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 ancestral dances?

Our second weekly of the season! Question for y’all as we go into Halloween: how do you envision astrology forecasts being incorporated in the podcast? Reach out to us here or on our Instagram (@thedanceunion) if you have any ideas on how to embody the forecast!

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

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Troy Ogilvie

https://troyogilvie.squarespace.com/

Edited By: Jon Reyes

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 to mourn the martyrs in Palestine and Lebanon and those unjustly taken by the state, the most recent victim being Marcellus Williams, manifested within our lives?

This is the start of the second part of season 2! We’re changing our format back to having recently recorded weekly episodes! We’re excited to continue this journey with y’all and are grateful for every one of you who joins us.

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

j. bouey

www.jbouey.com/

IG/Twitter: @j_bouey

Patreon: patreon.com/S_A_T_U_R_N

Veronica Jiao

veronicaraejiao.com/

IG: @vrjiao

Edited By: Jon Reyes