Last modified: Thursday, December 2, 2004
African American Dance Company presents annual Studio Concert
NOTE: Photographs of the African American Arts Institute's ensembles are available on the Web at https://www.indiana.edu/~aaai.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana University African American Arts Institute will present the African American Dance Company's annual Studio Concert on Tuesday (Dec. 7), 7:30 p.m., in Willkie Auditorium, located on the IU Bloomington campus at 150 N. Rose Ave. Admission is $2 and is payable at the door.
The fall concert, a tradition since the early 1980s, is a dynamic and innovative showcase of collaborative "works in progress." It provides an opportunity for students to perform pieces that will be formalized for the African American Dance Company's Spring Concert in April. The collaborative effort that goes into developing and performing the pieces also allows the student dancers to understand the full spectrum of the creative process. "The students can experience the choreographic process, while learning important life skills such as compromising," said Professor Iris Rosa, director of the African American Dance Company.
The concert also will feature pieces performed at the Potpourri of Arts concert in November. "Rooted, Grounded and Manifested" includes the entire dance company performing to the music of Mickey Hart, Gilbert Gil and Angelique Kidjo. "Djokou A Djekpa" (Life in the World) was choreographed by Modeste "Athobob" Douoning, a Cote d'Ivorian dancer, who will lead an ensemble in a performance that features traditional live music. Douoning danced with the National Ballet of Ivory Coast, and his work with the African American Dance Company is possible with the support of IU Bloomington's African Studies Program.
The concert will also include a raffle to raise money for the African American Dance Company.
The African American Arts Institute has provided thousands of IU students with opportunities to explore their talents in performance and arts management. It also has allowed students from a broad range of fields to learn about the history and culture of African American music and dance. A number of AAAI alumni have used their training to become performers, producers, technicians, writers and managers.
For more information about the African American Arts Institute, its ensembles or the concert, contact the institute at 812-855-5427 or aaai@indiana.edu.
