Hours of rehearsals, months of fundraising, and boundless support and love from alumni, family, and friends is now coming together. We leave for Jamaica in three days!
Tonight was our final rehearsal. It was a little challenging to stay focused because every few minutes one of us would say, “Hey guys. We’re going to Jamaica!” Naturally we all start dancing around. Like this…
Needless to say, we are very excited to be going to Jamaica.
But what is most exciting is the opportunity to represent the African American Dance Company (AADC) and the African American Arts Institute (AAAI) at the Edna Manley College Rex Nettleford Conference. The conference seeks to provide an opportunity for local, regional and global voices of arts educators, policy makers, researchers and arts practitioners to raise awareness and lead the discourse as cultural agents for change and expression. Not only will be attending the diverse lectures, performances, and sessions, we have the amazing opportunity to perform excerpts from Professor Rosa’s piece originally performed at the African American Dance Company Spring Concert this past season.
We have our piece ready to go, now we just need to get ourselves ready! The next two days are devoted to packing and preparing for the intellectual, cultural, artistic journey ahead.
AADC has an astounding 41-year legacy, and we are honored to be bringing it to the Caribbean. We cannot thank all those who have supported us enough. Without generous support from our AADC alumni, AAAI, the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs at IU, this wonderful opportunity would not be possible.
Next stop, Kingston!
Hannah Crane, AADC alumna
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