March 5, 2004—Members of Oberlin College's Essence dance class will present a collaborative dance concert titled Unentered House Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13 at 8 p.m. in Warner Main.

Performing with Essence will be Dance Diaspora, Oberlin's widely acclaimed student-touring company; the College drumming group Ilui Aiye; guest artists—drummer Matthew Hill '00 and vocal soloist Tai Collins '01; an ensemble of singers led by Jadele McPherson '04; and Dance Diaspora lead drummer Adam Barr '04 as narrator.

Barr, an English major with a concentration in African American Studies, wrote the narrative for Unentered House, which tells how using the drums and the traditions of the African Diaspora helped him find his place in both western and African cultures. The spoken word, drumming, dance, and visual art combine to create a "choreopoem" that explores ancestry, culture, and community through the arts and rituals Barr experienced during Dance Diaspora study tours in Cuba, West Africa, and the United States.

The Essence program includes dances incorporating the Afro-Cuban rhythms guiro, rumba matancera, and rumba guaguanco, as well as the West African rhythms Yankady and Mandiani, with choreography coordinated by Pia Murray '05, lead dancer with Dance Diaspora. The installation art is by Rachael Schaffran '04, and the lighting is by Phoenix Singleton '00.

Warner Center is located at 30 N. Professor St., behind the King/Rice building. Tickets are $5 at the door and $4 in advance from Central Ticket Service (CTS) box office, noon to 5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., or through the CTS 24-hour reservation line (440/775-8169). Seating is limited.