Rhythms' Celebration of Pride

Performers from a variety of organizations came together to create a celebration of cultural pride and artistic heritage in the Colors of Rhythm program Thursday night in Finney Chapel. They celebrated unity, diversity and expression through a wide array of mediums. Downstage from a screen projecting drawings, murals and photographs, performers combined dance, music and vocals. The result was a symphony of cultures that illustrated the diverse talents that are often underrepresented at Oberlin.

The performance opened extravagantly with "The Sound of the Drums," a dance comprised of West African steps. To the sweet song of Angelique Kidgo, members of the African Student Association and ABUSUA step draped in cloth with African print. West African dance, however, was only one of the many forms represented within the show. Pieces moved from Africa to India to the Diasporic dances created as cultures meld. Senior Johanna Faith Almiron poignantly captured the essence of this blending in her piece "Broken English," where performers moved together to the rhythm of Dugso while improvising in their own rhythms as well.

Immediately following "The Sound of the Drums," the performance moved to "Classical North Indian Kathak," a dance that originated in North India. The work was gripping, as sophomore Soneli Seth combined precision with grace to keep her feet moving with the rhythm of the tabla music. Seth used her eyes sensually to draw in the audience. Another notable solo was senior Audrey Sica, who performed traditional Turkish dance. Her precision of movement, especially in hip isolation and hand motion, had the crowd awestruck.

A series of energetic group performances also held the audience's attention. Zaiko, a Central African dance popularized by the band Zaiko Langa Langa, was a fast-paced dance composed of the Soukos style of Zaiko. The interchange between the male and female dancers of the Zaiko had the crowed on their feet. The excitement continued with the performances of "Sarafina," depicting the struggles of teachers and students during the apartheid era in South Africa, and "Puchae Chum," an eye catching Korean fan dance.

Danzas Folkloricas performed serveral pieces, the most notable being the all-female "La Bruja." This 16th century Mexican dance was done with burning candles balanced on the heads of all the dancers. Dance Diaspora also made a highly anticipated appearance, presenting a typically enthralling piece as senior dancers saluted led drummer, senior Matthew Hill, in a series of solos. The Diaspora dancers and musicians gracefully captured the beauty of improvisational movement and sound. The Advanced Latin Dance Exco performed as well, presenting "Arrepentida." This creative story line salsa piece highlighted the choreography of lead dancer Samuel A. Garcia.

In addition to traditional performances, the piece "Hip-Hop You the Love of My Life" celebrated Hip-Hop's roots in the Black aesthetic and exemplified the wide range of the Colors of Rhythm performers. Moving from spoken word to hip-hop dance to Breakdance, capoeira and rap, the piece depicted the evolution of hip-hop expression and had the audience dancing. "Bhangra Fusion" sparked a similar feeling with an upbeat and energetic fusion of reggae and bhangra, representing the presence of the South Asian diaspora and its resulting dance forms. Like "Broken English," "Bhangra Fusion" and "Hip-Hop You the Love of My Life" illustrated how different cultures can combine to create new cultures in and of themselves.

The audience left invigorated and inspired. The broader message of the evening was clear: all people possess the essence of the colors of rhythm, but this essence must be nurtured by Oberlin's administration. With a space as big as Finney packed full of students cheering on the show it seems likely that the College will notice.