I must thank Professor Emerita Iris Rosa so much for organizing this important trip and sharing her global relationships in the arts and academia with us all. Thank you for teaching a great dance workshop, dancing with everyone everyday in the master classes, and sharing your amazing choreography, “Anatomy of Freedom,” in Cuba via the… Read more »
Cuba 2017
AADC featured in OnCuba Magazine
Embrace of art between Cuba and USA Article by OnCuba Magazine. The spirit of the Festival del Fuego is to build bonds through culture. This is what Professor Iris Rosa believes, who arrived in Santiago de Cuba from Indiana University in front of the African American Dance Company. The group is made up of 14 students… Read more »
Day 7: Visit to church inspires students, last day in Cuba celebrated at the beach
My biggest takeaway and the most impactful aspect of the African American Dance Company’s trip to Santiago de Cuba was not dance moves, not technique, not choreography, but dance’s ties to culture and spirituality. The moment we arrived the essence of the people and the land’s history penetrated our tired bodies and attitudes. There’s no… Read more »
Day 6: The beauty and pain of Cuba’s history, final performance in Festival
Wow! Today was truly an amazing day. We walked the historic area of La Gran Piedra (The Big Rock) in the highest region of Cuba. The rock is of volcanic origin and is estimated to weigh 65,000 tons. We visited biodiverse hilltops and the remains of a French coffee plantation, called La Isabelica, from the… Read more »
Day 5: Students learn dances of Oriente, perform in Festival del Caribe
Our dance class with Milagros Ramirez’s dance company, Ballet Folklorico de Oriente, was exceptionally fun! We learned two Franco-Haitian style dances: Gaga and Vodou. We moved across the floor in our skirts learning specific dance styles of Oriente traditions. The movements are quick and grounded, yet light on the feet and involve lots of shoulder… Read more »
Day 4: Breaking barriers in mind and body
At the beginning of our class with master Vogue dance artist and instructor Cesar Valentino (who was a guest artist at the dance company’s Annual Dance Workshop this year), he explained to us that Vogue dance had not reached Cuba. He said that most people he talked to here didn’t even know of Madonna and her song/music video… Read more »
Day 3: Cross-cultural collaborations and spiritual embodiment
Today we had the opportunity to start the day collaborating with another dance company. Although there was a language barrier, the language of the body allowed me to have a better understanding. A few of the dancers in the company danced a dance of the Orishas. Though we did not all know the story behind… Read more »
Day 2: Welcome to Cuba
When we arrived in Cuba, as soon as we hit the ground, the effects of the embargo were vividly clear. It’s like the entire country was frozen in time from the 60s, with old cars and architecture. Getting through customs was a challenge. There was little organization, mostly people being herded into a line that was… Read more »
Day 1: Airport anticipation
The African American Dance Company students and IU faculty departed from Indianapolis and arrived safely in Miami airport on July 2. But with the flight to Cuba on July 3, the students had plenty of time in the airport to think about their upcoming adventure. Here are some of their thoughts: I’m looking forward to… Read more »
Alumni carry on company’s legacy
What an honor it is to be part of this historic IU AADC delegation to participate in the Fiesta del Fuego in Santiago de Cuba! I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to study dance history and more with Professor Iris Rosa and to be an African American Dance Company member in the early… Read more »