An Incomplete History of Dance is a podcast about dance, unsurprisingly. Meghan Varner, lifelong dance nerd, and Murlin Varner, who knows only what he's picked up from parenting a lifelong dance nerd, share stories from some of the strangest, funniest, and most important moments in dance history.
We discuss the history of the Savoy Ballroom and how it relates to the early days of Lindy Hop. Topics discussed include dance history snores, ambiguous vice, and famous New York politicians. Note: this episode contains discussion of multiple aspects of racism, and while no event mentioned is overtly violent towards people we are aware that listeners may hold these traumas far closer to their hearts than we do; be aware that this episode discusses segregation and the use of police and the law to punish integrated settings.
Episode Transcript
Sources (https://www.varner-arts.com/sources)
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31 May 2021
05 Vaudeville Ballet
We discuss the relationship between ballet and vaudeville at the turn of the twentieth century and what it means for the rise of ballet in the United States. Topics discussed include the rise of the chorus girl, female dance producers and company owners, and Diaghilev being late to his own game. Note: contains light swearing and brief, unexplored mentions of blackface/minstrelsy.
Episode Transcript
All Transcripts (https://www.varner-arts.com/transcripts)
Sources (https://www.varner-arts.com/sources)
30 Apr 2021
04 Sexy Dancing and You
We look at the ways sexuality can be performed or rejected in dance, and why it matters to show a wide range of sexual and nonsexual relationships. Topics discussed include brain farts, stripteases, and Meghan being surprised when things are sexy. Note: contains much discussion of sex and nudity, including references to genitalia.
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Sources (https://www.varner-arts.com/sources)
31 Mar 2021
03 Jeni LeGon
We discuss the life of Jeni LeGon, a tap dancer and film actress, as well as tap in Hollywood and racism in the movie industry. Topics discussed include 20's era movie theatres, "integrated" clubs for soldiers, and the fact that nobody really knows who writes those listicles online about "top ten dance movies". Note: Contains light swearing and discussion of racism in dance and film by white people, and should at most be taken as a starting point in your education on the subject.
Episode Transcript
All Transcripts (https://www.varner-arts.com/transcripts)
Sources (https://www.varner-arts.com/sources)
28 Feb 2021
02 Pointe and Propaganda
We explore how ballet was used in the 50s through the 70s to support the Communist regime in China. Topics discussed include peasant women getting revenge, the militaristic quality of pointe shoes, and a pervasive lack of puns. Note: contains light swearing, brief reference to massacres, summarises stories used in propaganda.
Episode Transcript
All Transcripts (https://www.varner-arts.com/transcripts)
Sources (https://www.varner-arts.com/sources)
31 Jan 2021
01 Riot of Spring
We explore the creation and premiere of the original Rite of Spring. Topics discussed include mispronounced French words, Jeopardy questions about the Ballets Russes, sports noises, and Eurythmics. Note: includes light swearing and brief discussion of masturbation.
Episode Transcript
All Transcripts (varner-arts.com/transcripts)
Sources (varner-arts.com/sources)
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