Integrated Rhythm
by Chisomo & Bobby
Two besties navigate race and the Black Experience in the world of Jazz Dance and other Afro-centric social dancing. Join Associate Professor, instructor, and swing and Zambian heritage dancer CHISOMO SELEMANI and world champion swing dancer, instructor, and historian BOBBY WHITE as they discuss Afro-centric social dancing with a range of guests, make bad puns, and occasionally sing. The goal is comfortable conversations about uncomfortable things.You can support us at:Patreon: www.patreon.com/integratedrhythmPayPal: [email protected] Venmo: @bobbyswungover (Put IR in notes)
Episodes
-
63: Let's Chisomo Our Way Through This
Chisomo discusses the concept of microaggressions with Bobby, and they have kind of a fun therapy session. Thanks so much to our Patreon Patrons! Sasha K Justnigel Ann Sofie van Enis Katja Alexandria July Belber Rebecca BurWei Dee Mathews Brooks Prumo Jessie Brooks Aryn Kelly Audrey Bui Ian…
more -
62: A Great Place to Do a Little Gender (w HELEN GARFINKLE & MAX RAMIREZ)
HELEN GARFINKLE & MAX RAMIREZ take us on a journey, exploring trans life in the current swing scene. Thanks so much to our Patreon Patrons! Sasha K Justnigel Ann Sofie van Enis Katja Alexandria July Belber Rebecca BurWei Dee Mathews Brooks Prumo Jessie Brooks Aryn Kelly Audrey Bui Ian Dawson…
more -
61: Bouncing at the Savoy
Celebrate 100 years of the Savoy Ballroom with this special Swing-You-Should-Know episode! Thanks so much to our Patreon Patrons! Sasha K Justnigel Ann Sofie van Enis Katja Alexandria July Belber Rebecca BurWei Dee Mathews Brooks Prumo Jessie Brooks Aryn Kelly Audrey Bui Ian Dawson Karen Compos...
-
60: Two Things Can Be True At The Same Time (w/ SHANI BROWN & BRITTNEY CARAWAY)
(With longtime SoCal dancer BRITTNEY CARAWAY and International Bal and Lindy dancer SHANI BROWN.)Marge Takier -- Southern California Balboa and Lindy Hop old timer, incredible DJ, and co-founder of Bobby McGee's dance parties in the 70s-2000s, was part of a group of elderly original dancers that...
-
59: The Tale of a Bromance (w A.J. HOWARD and TIM CHRISTOPHER
Incredible dancers TIM CHRISTOPHER and A.J. HOWARD joined us in front of a LIVE audience at LINDY FOCUS '25. We discuss how music shaped Tim's dancing, why A.J. loves air steps, why their friendship is important as two Black men in the scene. We also get a "hot take" from both of them. PATRONS...
-
58: LinD&D
A special holiday treat for these dark times! (Also parents: Bad language in these here hills!) Join some international instructors for a special game of DnD full of battles, mule-ports, gatekeepers, lin-fected hordes, and the IRLHC Championships! Come with us to the land of Yavos! CAST ANTHONY...
-
57: We-Andering (w/ CHRISTI JAY WELLS)
Professor and author of "Between Beats: The Jazz Tradition and Black Vernacular Dance" joined us at our little house at Herrang '25 to discuss Marshall Stearns, jazz academia, teaching history, helping camps do better, ally-ship, and other things. It was so good we had to keep it all. And of...
-
56: Looks Like Magic to Me (w/ DOMINIC HANNA & MATT RICHEY)
In this episode we talk to two professional Balboa instructors, DOMINIC HANNA and MATT RICHEY. Wediscuss what makes them love Balboa, what their current missions are as instructors in the scene, and what a welcoming dance scene looks like to Dominic (a Black American man) and Matt (a Queer man)....
-
55: Capital-T Tired (w/DEE DANIELS LOCKE & TYEDRIC HILL)
LIVE FROM HERRANG '25! We talk with Black American Lindy Hop instructors DEE DANIELS LOCKE and TYEDRIC HILL about the modern life of a Black Lindy Hop professional. And of course, huge thanks to our patrons! (You can find us on patreon!) Sasha K Justnigel Ann Sofie van Enis Katja Alexandria July...
-
54: The Conundrum of Mabel & Lee
Chi-Chi and Bobby discuss a conundrum that many dancers may face. Layers and layers! (Title has no relation to the actual incredible Black American dancer, singer, and all-around entertainer Mabel Lee. It was something that popped into our heads and we went with it in the episode.) And of course,...
-
39 [Special Rerelease]: I LOVE Fabric (w/DONNA M'SHANGA and LAURA WINDLEY)
[This is a rerelease of Episode 39! Which we took off neeeding to tackle some editing problems. But it should be good now!]Singer, fashionista, and co-leader of the Mint Julep Jazz Band LAURA WINDLEY loves to make her own clothing. One day she got some African fabric from a friend. As a White...
-
53: The Woodside 5 (w/ LAUREL RYAN, JAVIER JOHNSON, & CARLA HEINEY)
Chi-Chi and Bobby join fellow instructors LAUREL RYAN, JAVIER JOHNSON, and CARLA HEINEY to discuss a myriad of topics at this LIVE BEANTOWN episode! (...from 2023.) To those who don't know, LAUREL is a Black American woman instructor known for her Lindy Hop, solo jazz, and MCing, JAVIER…
more -
52: Capital-C Creativity
Was this one a good idea? We think so? Following a long red-eye flight and a certain Olympic break dancer's excuse for their performance, Bobby gives Chisomo a theoretical schpeel on values in Lindy Hop, and the problems of choosing one Black American value higher than others. Then they discuss....
-
51: "Hot Ones" (LIVE AT CAL BAL '24)
Happy New Year! Let's celebrate with one of the greatest live episode experiences we have had, a HOT ONES-style panel we did at CALIFORNIA BALBOA CLASSIC in 2024. We've got special guests JENNIFER LEE, ANDREA GORDON, and MATT RICHEY, joining your hosts Chisomo and Bobby, all eating increasingly...
-
50: Recipes, Museum Pieces, Silliness, & Props (w/URSULA HICKS)
50 EPISODES!! Oh, geeze. Recorded at HERRANG 2024. We joined with one of our great friends URSULA HICKS to discuss SO MUCH GOOD STUFF. First, she tells us about Herrang's NEXT GENERATION PROJECT. Then, we play a little game where key words trigger Ursula to share some...
-
49: It's All About the Feel (w/ SYLVIA SYKES)
From Herrang 2024 comes a conversation with modern-era swing dancing legend SYLVIA SYKES! We discuss Balboa, old timers, judging, and so much more. ** Please note, due to recording conditions we did the best we could with the audio. Some of our software that cleans echoes and normalizes volume…
more -
48: The Call Is Coming From Inside the House
Chisomo & Bobby break down breakdancing at the 2024 Olympics and what Lindy Hoppers can take away from it. The answers are often just more questions. But some of the topics they hit upon are... accessibility in sports/arts, doo rags and zoot suits, trying to take politics out of a political…
more -
47: The Adult Circle (w/ MARIE N'DIAYE & FELIX BERGHALL)
LIVE AT HERRANG 2024! International Lindy Hop badasses Marie N'diaye (Phd) and Felix Berghall sit down with Chisomo & Bobby to discuss Blackness in the dance's history, culture, and classroom. You know, the small stuff. Notes: 1. Audio only, no video this time. 2. We recorded in an echo-ey room…
more -
46: Cute in the face, cute in the waist
Chisomo & Bobby dive into a discussion on body types and the swing scene. Huge thanks to our Patreon patrons! Cassandra Filios Kaydee Tower Sasha K Justnigel Ann Sofie van Enis Katja Alexandria July Belber Rebecca BurWei Dee Mathews Brooks Prumo Jessie Brooks Aryn Kelly Audrey Bui Ian Dawson…
more -
45: Dance as Healing (w/ ANTHONY CHEN & LAUREL RYAN)
LIVE! at Beantown Lindy Hop Camp 2022, outside of Boston. Join ANTHONY CHEN & LAUREL RYAN as we discuss dance and healing, including a Q&A from audience members. Please note: This was recorded just as the world seemed to be emerging from the Pandemic.
-
44: A Little Party Injured 12
Chisomo & Bobby react to episode 42's "The Gig," and discuss the act of Lindy Hop gigging and what it means to the art form. (Don't worry, we give a synopsis at the beginning.) Huge thanks to our Patreon patrons! Huge thanks to our Patrons! Cassandra Filios Kaydee Tower Sasha K Justnigel Ann…
more -
43: Bobby vs. America
Chisomo Selemani is a US Citizen now! (One of us... one of us... one of us...) So, for funsies, Bobby takes the citizenship test.
-
42: The Gig (w/ GABY COOK, AJ HOWARD, & LAURA GLAESS)
International swing dance instructors and New York resident giggers GABY COOK, A.J. HOWARD, LAURA GLAESS, and Bobby White tell Chisomo the story of a recent gig they did. Enjoy. (In our next episode, Chisomo will reflect on the craziness.) Huge thanks to our Patrons! Cassandra Filios Kaydee Tower...
-
41: Not Uncomplicated
Chisomo talks through some of the feelings of being hired as a Black woman instructor in the modern swing scene. Bobby talks about a time he recently switched the names of two of his close Black friends, in person, in a group of dancers. Huge thanks to our Patrons! Sasha K Justnigel Ann Sofie van...
-
40: Say "Yes" To What We Have (w/ URSULA HICKS)
In this episode, we talk to dance instructor and ILHC MC URSULA HICKS about Lindy Hop clothing, honky-tonking, contact improvisation, and what she would add to the world of Lindy Hop teaching. Thanks to our Patreon Patrons! Patrons-- Sasha K Justnigel Ann Sofie van Enis Katja Alexandria July…
more -
38: Walking Past the Norma Table (w TARYN NEWBORNE)
TARYN NEWBORNE , who started off in ballroom dance before finding swing and Lindy Hop, has combined her passions to become an amazing swing singer and band leader. She joined us to talk about her story, what a swing scene family is, and hopes for how we can emerge from the pandemic. Making a…
more -
37: Put On Your Big Person Pants (w/ STEFFANIE AK SCHILLING)
We're back, with STEFFANIE AK SCHILLING! Fun times discussing Juneteenth, European racism, colorism, the Balboa scene, and more! If you are able, please consider donating to our patreon! https://www.patreon.com/integratedrhythm (or one time donations to paypal.me/bobbywhite3) And huge thanks to…
more -
36: You & M-ebonics
Chisomo & Bobby discuss the "You're Wrong About" podcast's fantastic "Ebonics Controversy" episode. We discuss what makes a language a language, code switching, and authenticity. If you are able, please consider donating to our patreon! https://www.patreon.com/integratedrhythm (or one time...
-
35: On the Edge of Your Seat (Norma Miller Stand-up Block Party! PART 2!)
In PART 2 of our Season 2 debut, Michelle Stokes, Laurel Ryan, Andrea Gordon, and Julia Loving join Chisomo & Bobby to listen to Norma Miller's 1970s stand up album and discuss it and what makes humor of its time. Btw, ALL THE CONTENT WARNINGS. If you are able, please consider donating to our...
-
34: Healthy, Sexless & Single (Norma Miller's Stand Up Block Party)
In our Season 2 debut, Michelle Stokes, Laurel Ryan, Andrea Gordon, and Julia Loving join Chisomo & Bobby to listen to Norma Miller's 1970s stand up album and discuss it and what makes humor of its time. Btw, ALL THE CONTENT WARNINGS. If you are able, please consider donating to our patreon!...
-
QUICKIE: Honoring Michelle
As many of you know our beloved Michelle Stokes unexpectedly passed away in early February. This is just a brief episode about that regarding our Integrated Rhythm family, our season 2 start date, and how we all might honor Michelle in the IR spirit. It includes a clip of Michelle from a...
-
Season 2! Coming in 2022
We're back in January with a new season of Integrated Rhythm! We explain how that'll go, and what kept us away for the last few months. UPDATE: Due to some new software we're still getting the hang of, trying to make a living wage, and the passing of a close friend to IR, we are currently on hold...
-
CHECK IT OUT: Summer of Soul
While we handle some life situations and prepare the next few episodes, check out Questlove's new documentary, "SUMMER OF SOUL"! And thank you all for your support!
-
33: Holding On
Holding on. That seems to be a theme as we discuss Black American English, Southerners traveling North, and, of course, jazz dance. 0:00 Black American English: It's a language! 11:30 Bobby experiences a TINY bit of language discrimination, compared to how much Black Americans experience. 16:30...
-
32: Hope-timistic
Hope-timistic. It's how we're feeling after the recent "Move Together: Build Back Better" event recently conducted (we said "build back together" in the podcast, our bad!), which even had some truth charcuterie from Chisomo (say that three times fast). 0:00 Some love 7:00 The everyday lens 13:00...
-
31: Turning to History (w/ NICHOLAS CENTINO)
Turning to History This is how NICHOLAS "NIKO" CENTINO, Assistant Professor of Chicana/o Studies at California State University, answered the complex questions brought up in an American background steeped in different cultures. In this conversation we discuss his own experiences as a Person of...
-
30: Great Soundbites on Demand
Thanks for bearing with us as some life situations take place! We believe we can do a few more episodes before we have to take another short break. Enjoy this Char-Char & Bobby episode where we discuss a White swing dancer getting interviewed for a New York Times story about a Black swing dancer....
-
29: A Gaze into "A Day at the Races"
**Please note: an important life situation has come up that will most likely keep us from being able to do an episode or two in the near future. Please bare with us and enjoy a previous episode for your weekly fix of IR!** This week, a reading of the article, "A Gaze into a Day at the Races" that...
-
28: In Focus Finally (w/ CYNTHIA MILLMAN)
"In Focus Finally." When author and librarian Cynthia Millman first saw Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning dance in the 1980s, a lot of things about the dance finally came into focus. Little did she know she would end up going on the epic journey of co-writing Frankie’s memoir with him. To…
more -
27: Frieda, Lucille, Willa Mae, & Anne
Bobby tells the story of four incredible dancers who were Frankie Manning's partners, and Chisomo and IR fam LAUREL RYAN join in and listen along. 0:00 Frieda Washington & Creative Adventurousness 19:00 Lucille Middleton & Tall Coolness 28:30 Willa Mae Ricker & Fashionable Groundedness 49:30...
-
26: Three Little Girls
Another Chisomo & Bobby episode! This week, the parable of the Three Little Black Girls. What would you do? Let us know at [email protected] 0:00 Three Little Black Girls come up to us in the park… 6:00 "Too woke, Chisomo" 9:30 No one will see our dance if it's not out in the world… 20:00...
-
25: The Woman in the Door Frame
It's a Chisomo & Bobby episode, where they have a friend's talk that asks some questions about how Black culture relates to the dance and teaching, tells one of Bobby's most memorable Frankie Manning stories, and reveals which one of us is "the woman in the doorframe." 0:00 Mentorship & teaching...
-
24: A Communal Circle (w/ JULIA LOVING)
A Communal Circle. In this episode, (part 2 of 2) JULIA LOVING discusses her intimate history with Black New York art forms, the dances she runs in Harlem, and a controversial opinion that will make some people in Queens wanna fight. Also, Chisomo, Bobby tackle an important question from Julia....
-
23: Black Joy, a Form of Resistance (w/JULIA LOVING)
In this episode (Part 1 of 2), we're with dancer, historian, educator, promoter, instigator, designer, and business owner JULIA LOVING. We share Norma Miller stories, the historical Civil Rights legacy of Julia's family, and how both have shaped the design of Julia's incredible swing dance…
more -
22: A Room with a Door (w/ LAUREL RYAN)
A room with a door... Not just a great thing to have in a instructor contract, it's also a great thing to have in the swing dance scene as a whole. In part 2 of 2, instructor, MC, and Lindy Focus meeting co-host LAUREL RYAN shares with us how the standards of Black Excellence give a warped door…
more -
21: A Sprinkle of White Supremacy (w/ LAUREL RYAN)
A Sprinkle of White Supremacy... In part 1 of 2, instructor, MC, and Lindy Focus meeting co-host LAUREL RYAN shares with us the fascinating tales of learning Lindy Hop, confronting its harmful teaching practices, and how Black people are constantly battling between being undervalued and…
more -
20: Pretend I'm Not Bouncing (w/ BRANDON BARKER)
Pretend I'm Not Bouncing. Dancer BRANDON BARKER has his dance passion in three worlds --- the academy of a university where he is currently finishing up a BFA in concert dance, the legendary company of Black American dance Alvin Ailey where he has worked and trained, and the swing scene where he…
more -
19: The Junk Drawer
It's a Chisomo & Bobby episode, where we discuss a few topics. 0:00 A possible guest politely declined to be on our show, and we talk about it. It's all good, but we wanted to explore some things that brings up. 12:30 The art of not talking over Follower teachers, and what that tells us about...
-
18: Buzz Words (BLOCK PARTY #2, 2 of 2)
This is part 2 of 2 of our second Block Party. We are honored to have with us, MC and instructor MICHELLE STOKES, MC and instructor LAUREL RYAN --- both of which do the amazing music for our podcast, by the way --- we also have incredible swing dance researcher and history lover LEWIS ORCHARD…
more -
17: Chocolate & Peanut Butter (BLOCK PARTY #2, Part 1)
Chocolate & Peanut Butter --- how do you feel about the combination? The discussion at Integrated Rhythm gets serious. In this BLOCK PARTY episode (Part 1 of 2), we discuss Duke Ellington, peanut butter & chocolate, tea & coffee, and high fantasy. Guests include MICHELLE STOKES, LAUREL RYAN…
more
About this show
Two besties navigate race and the Black Experience in the world of Jazz Dance and other Afro-centric social dancing. Join Associate Professor, instructor, and swing and Zambian heritage dancer CHISOMO SELEMANI and world champion swing dancer, instructor, and historian BOBBY WHITE as they discuss Afro-centric social dancing with a range of guests, make bad puns, and occasionally sing. The goal is comfortable conversations about uncomfortable things.You can support us at:Patreon: www.patreon.com/integratedrhythmPayPal: [email protected] Venmo: @bobbyswungover (Put IR in notes)
Hosted by
Chisomo & Bobby
Categories