'Dis Place: Recent Episodes
'Dis Place podcast
Join hosts Sun and Rebekah for this three part podcast series exploring the relationships between space, place, Blackness, and queerness in the GTA. In each episode they will be joined by a stellar lineup of guests with strong local ties and compelling stories to tell about how where they are has shaped who they are and the communities they belong to.
For this special episode of 'Dis Place, guest host and long-time BFN TO contributor, Octavia Andrade-Dixon (they/them) and returning host, Sun (she/her) dive into an integral piece of Toronto’s musical past, the iconic radio station Flow 93.5. They discuss how music and radio can be used as tools to build community, and what has come to pass in Flow’s cultural absence. To delve further into the world radio and Flow 93.5, Octavia sat down with Dr. Cheryl Thompson, Associate Professor in Performance at The Creative School, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to discuss the early days of flow, DJ Ace Dillinger to chat about their connections to Flow, Toronto’s online radio scene and envisioning futures of connection; and radio producer Javon Anderson to delve into ways to improve the prohibitive traditional radio infrastructure and give back to local artists.
Show Notes
Guests
DJ Ace Dillinger, @ ace_dillinger
Dr. Cheryl Thompson
https://www.drcherylthompson.com/
Javon Anderson
Producers and Hosts
Octavia Andrade-Dixon, @o.andradde
Sundus Hussein
Episode Cover Art, and Music
Kaya Joan
https://www.kayajoan.com/
Audio Editing, Sound Mixing and Design
Javon Anderson
Executive Producers
Octavia Andrade-Dixon
Adwoa Afful
Articles
Black History Month: Making Space For Black Music In Canadian Radio
By Cheryl Thompson
Preview of a special episode of 'Dis Place podcast with new guest host, Octavia Andrade-Dixon (they/them).
For the third and final episode of, 'Dis Place, Rebekah and Sun bring light to the idea of heaven, home, and the state of being hidden, through places and placelessness. Focusing on folks who explore their own experiences of coming out, whether it is to themselves or community, Sun speaks with guest author Mohamed Abdulkarim Ali (he/him) and artist Melisse Watson (they/them) to guide us through a conversation about origins and transitional states of being and placemaking in a changing city.
Note: The interview with Mohamed was recorded outdoors during the summer, so there will be street and cicada noises throughout.
Show Notes
Mohamed Abdulkarim Ali's website
thresholdproject.com
Book: Angry Queer Somali Boy
Producers and Hosts
Rebekah Robinson
Sundus “Sun” Hussein
Episode Cover Art, Music, and Sound Design
Kaya Joan
Audio Editing and Sound Mixing
Sabrina B.
Executive Producers
Bria John
Tayo Bero
Adwoa Afful
For the second episode of, 'Dis Place, Rebekah and Sun explore the themes of resistance and celebration in the Black Queer community through parties and events that center the folks with these intersections such as Blockobana and StrappedTo. Rebekah speaks with guest Marisa Rosa Grant (they/them) of Strapped TO and Blockbana organizer DJ Craig (he/him) and Blockobana performer DJ Pogi (they/them) to understand how their work connects to these themes and what challenges they face, especially during the pandemic to continue producing these community building events
Show Notes
Articles about Blockobana:
Blockobana is the Toronto black queer pride party for everyone
Celebrating Queerness and Blackness at Caribana
Producers and Hosts
Rebekah Robinson
Sundus “Sun” Hussein
Episode Cover Art, Music, and Sound Design
Kaya Joan
Audio Editing and Sound Mixing
Sabrina E.
Executive Producers
Bria John
Tayo Bero
Adwoa Afful
Special thanks to this episode's guests! To learn more about their work or follow them on their socials see below:
Marisa Rosa Grant
- Podcast: Date with Daddy
- IG: @marisadaddy, @strapped.to, @thestraphouse_
DJ Craig
- IG: @craigdominic, @blockorama_to
- Facebook: Blackness, Yes!
DJ Pogi
- IG: @callmepogi_ @pogitheartist
About BFN TO
Black Futures Now Toronto (aka BFN TO), is a Black led collective based out of Toronto, who uses technology, storytelling and placemaking to connect young Black folks to each other and their city.
BFN TO Social Media
Website: https://mbf.blackfuturesnow.to/
Cohosts Rebekah and Sun explore multiple pathways to unravel what it's like to find yourself and community. Looking towards the past, present and future, they discuss countermapping and alternative routes to placemaking and belonging. With Toronto’s 20+ years of Black queer organizing, the two embark on a journey through examples of Black queer resistances and geographies such as 101 Dewson and Black Queer youth initiates, with interviews from Cofounder Tatiana Buttercup Ferguson and Telly of Domino Project/BQYC @ parkdale and visual artist Susan Blight. The two will be touching on how celebration and seeking a place despite placelessness and displacement, infer our relationship to needs and fulfillment persisting throughout this changing city, shared by intersecting identities.
Show Notes
About counter mapping
Producers and Hosts
Rebekah Robinson
Sundus “Sun” Hussein
Episode Cover Art, Music, and Sound Design
Kaya Joan
Audio Editing and Sound Mixing
Sabrina E.
Executive Producers
Bria John
Tayo Bero
Adwoa Afful
About BFN TO
Black Futures Now Toronto (aka BFN TO), is a Black led collective based out of Toronto, who uses technology, storytelling and placemaking to connect young Black folks to each other and their city.
BFN TO Social Media
Website: https://mbf.blackfuturesnow.to/
Introducing, "'Dis Place", a three episode Toronto podcast series that explores the relationships between Blackness, queerness, and the spaces that Black queer folks across the city have made their own.
"'Dis Place," is brought to you by Black Futures Now Toronto (BFN TO) and is an extension of the Mapping Black Futures project.
New episodes every Wednesday, starting December 8, 2021.