The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance Podcast

"Time is a Mother" with Raja Feather Kelly and Yolanda Wisher

Our final episode of the podcast is a conversation between co-creators Raja Feather Kelly and Yolanda Wisher on the eve of the final show, reflecting on the culmination of their vision for the world premiere of The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance. They highlight unforgettable moments in the premiere at Christ Church Neighborhood House and share what surprised them, what left them shook, and what lies ahead. Take a listen. This podcast is produced by Dr. Bruce Campbell Jr. with V. Shayne Frederick, Nia Benjamin and Yolanda Wisher for Journey Arts [https://www.journeyarts.org]. For more information about the podcast and project, visit https://reemancipatedance.org/ [https://reemancipatedance.org/]. Theme music courtesy of Deep Black Society, you can find them on Instagram: @therealdotmatic. The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The views expressed are those of the artists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, or The Pew Charitable Trusts.

"Something that Simmers"

In this episode, we chat with the cast of the Re-Emancipation of Social Dance show about their process of devising their individual sections of the show. Initiated by prompts from Raja, the dancers sit down together after their first rehearsal in early 2024 and reflect on their creative process thus far. Germaine gets into the musical inspirations behind her set, and Metal and Lela get into what they’re going to wear. Nikki talks about how her father influenced the piece she’s working on, and Ra talks about doing something nasty. So take a listen.  This podcast is produced by Dr. Bruce Campbell Jr. with V. Shayne Frederick, Nia Benjamin and Yolanda Wisher for Journey Arts [https://www.journeyarts.org]. For more information about the podcast and project, visit https://reemancipatedance.org/ [https://reemancipatedance.org/]. Theme music courtesy of Deep Black Society, you can find them on Instagram: @therealdotmatic. The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The views expressed are those of the artists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, or The Pew Charitable Trusts.

“Emancipate corporeality, material existence, the human condition” with Vitche Boul-Ra

In this episode, host Raja Feather Kelly talks with Vitche-Boul Ra, a self-described transhumanist and folk theurgist. Coming from a background in sculpture, Ra's practice as a choreographer and dancer involves pulling things apart, putting things back together, and making something out of nothing. In this episode, Ra and Raja ponder questions like: What is a body? What is dance? And what does it mean to want to rip those definitions apart? Listen in. This podcast is produced by Dr. Bruce Campbell Jr. with V. Shayne Frederick, Nia Benjamin and Yolanda Wisher for Journey Arts [https://www.journeyarts.org]. For more information about the podcast and project, visit https://reemancipatedance.org/ [https://reemancipatedance.org/]. Theme music courtesy of Deep Black Society, you can find them on Instagram: @therealdotmatic. The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The views expressed are those of the artists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, or The Pew Charitable Trusts.

"Emancipate Us" with Nikki Powerhouse and Mark "Metal" Wong

This week we're joined by poet, performer, dancer and educator Nikki Powerhouse and Mark Wong aka Metal, a breaker, teaching artist and arts administrator. Nikki and Mark sit down to discuss how Philly's nightlife scene has fed their practice as dancers. From house clubs and queer spaces like The Nile to break dance battles at events like West Philly's The Gathering, Nikki and Mark trace their nonlinear languages as dancers through these vital community spaces. They discuss what it means to be trained vs. untrained, and what drives them to continue growing as dancers. Through their individual journeys, they've given themselves permission to be free...and want to inspire others to do the same. So listen in.  This podcast is produced by Dr. Bruce Campbell Jr. with V. Shayne Frederick, Nia Benjamin and Yolanda Wisher for Journey Arts [https://www.journeyarts.org]. For more information about the podcast and project, visit https://reemancipatedance.org/ [https://reemancipatedance.org/]. Theme music courtesy of Deep Black Society, you can find them on Instagram: @therealdotmatic. The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The views expressed are those of the artists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, or The Pew Charitable Trusts.

"Emancipate hearts" with Lela Aisha Jones

Lela Aisha Jones is a movement performance artist, community-based curator/organizer, inter-arts interdisciplinary collaborator, and embodied researcher. Lela, Raja and Yolanda first collided in divine order during a brunch in Philadelphia. Now a member of The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance ensemble, Lela talks about coming to Philly via New York to do Afro-Brazilian dance. She talks with Raja about being a witness, the struggle to find freedom in academia, the embodied work of Yoruba and African spiritual practice, and dancing with a changing body, and so much more. Take a listen.  This podcast is produced by Dr. Bruce Campbell Jr. with V. Shayne Frederick, Nia Benjamin and Yolanda Wisher for Journey Arts [https://www.journeyarts.org]. For more information about the podcast and project, visit https://reemancipatedance.org/ [https://reemancipatedance.org/]. Theme music courtesy of Deep Black Society, you can find them on Instagram: @therealdotmatic. The Re-Emancipation of Social Dance has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. The views expressed are those of the artists and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, or The Pew Charitable Trusts.