From the dances of Yemaya and Elegua to Rumba and Salsa, the African American Dance Company will immerse in Cuban dance and culture during its stay in Santiago, Cuba. Professor Rosa has primed her students for this experience; many of her choreographic works include Cuban dance and references to spirituality. While working with professional Cuban… Read more »
Entries by Hannah Crane
“To look at life in a wider spectrum outside of our own understanding”: Professor Rosa talks about Cuba
After 43 years as director of the IU African American Dance Company, Professor Iris Rosa’s dream of taking students to Cuba is coming true. The company will travel to Santiago, Cuba, to participate in a weeklong international music and dance festival in July. Read what Professor Rosa had to say about the trip: What is… Read more »
AADC to travel to Santiago, Cuba in July
The African American Dance Company (AADC) will travel to Santiago, Cuba, to participate in the 37th annual Festival del Caribe, an international dance and music festival, on July 2–10, 2017. Organized by returning AADC Annual Dance Workshop artist Milagros Ramirez, the dance company will spend the week taking classes with Cuban dance professionals and companies. They will… Read more »
Beijing exchange in review video
In just one week in Beijing and at the China University of Mining and Technology Beijing, the African American Dance Company experienced so many enlightening moments. A lecture demonstration for Chinese students, a drum master class and dance classes, a collaborative concert, and visits to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall were just some of… Read more »
Students reflect on China in IDS article
Indiana Daily Student is IU’s student-run newspaper. Professor and director of the African American Dance Company Iris Rosa is strict about how her dancers wear their hair. Black-, white- and short-haired dancers alike get their hair braided in cornrows. So when the dance company traveled to Beijing during winter break to explore China and perform… Read more »
AADC featured in Inside IU Bloomington
Inside IU Bloomington is a web publication sharing news with IU faculty, staff, and alumni. While most IU students were heading home for winter break, students in IU’s African American Dance Company were boarding a 13-hour flight to Beijing. The 14 students and four IU faculty engaged in a weeklong cultural exchange with the School… Read more »
“Would I do it again? Yep!” Professor Rosa reflects on China
How time flies! AADC has been back more than a week already from our unprecedented trip to China. I have so many things to say, but it would probably take most of the blog. What I have learned from the moment that we were asked to represent our units during this remarkable trip is that… Read more »
For IU students, Chinese partners “made the trip”
Meeting my partner Fan Yun was life altering. He expressed very sensitive topics to me and helped me understand just a piece of his life. We learned that we are both very open-minded and aware that we completely express the emotions that we feel. Although we live very different lives, we still connected with one another—and… Read more »
Saying goodbye to Beijing, staying connected to friends
The last day was very emotional. The night before we had gone out on the town to experience some nightlife with our newfound Chinese friends, so I had slept in a little later than usual. I woke up around 10 a.m., took a shower, and then started to pack—of course having more things than I… Read more »
Day 5 – Climbing the Great Wall and celebrating new friendships
What do dancers do when they visit the Great Wall of China? On our final evening, Ms. Yingli arranged for us to attend a tea ceremony and farewell dinner with our Chinese student partners. The tea ceremony itself was mesmerizing. The woman who performed the demonstration flourished her hands over the pots and cups as… Read more »