Colors of Rhythm Proves Diverse, Powerful
by KIMBERLY CLARKE and CHRISTINA MORGAN

This year’s Colors of Rhythm dance concert was like no other. By combining elements of music, dance and spoken word, the pieces embodied the spirit of change and activism, while celebrating the diversity of non-Western dance. 
Many of the pieces in this year’s Colors of Rhythm set out to confront and dispel cultural stereotypes, and in its wake produced new definitions and identities for people of color. 

Colors of Rhythm is an event held annually in Finney Chapel that celebrates diversity in the world of performance art. Colors of Rhythm provides an opportunity for students of color to share dances from their respective cultures, while also filling the void left by a lack of curricular support for more diverse dance programs on Oberlin’s campus. 
Colors of Rhythm is performed, produced and directed by students of color. The organizers of this year’s show were senior Maria Victoria Albina Cordero, junior NiJa Whitson, senior Rossana Inez Rossi, junior Menna Heiwot-Demessie, sophomore Ashleigh Goldberg and junior Shruti Sasidharan. 
The show opened with the spoken-word piece, “Evolve Beyond Your Vulva,” performed by junior Yvonne Etaghene. The piece called for all women, across all sexualities, to abandon society’s sexist and misogynist ideas about what constitutes true womanhood. “Evolve Beyond Your Vulva,” set the tone for many of the evening’s pieces which were political in nature and concerned breaking away from traditional stereotypes. 
The piece “Latino Line-up” was one performance that kept in line with the show’s theme of dispelling stereotypes while providing new definitions and identities for people of color. The performers in “Latino Line-up” expressed personal experiences of dealing with Latino culture, as they individually stepped forward and spoke about their personal experiences of being Latino in the United States. 

“I Began,” performed by first-years Vida Vazquez and Vanessa Tobar, also discussed the complex and ever-changing identities of Latino culture. “I Began,” was a verbal collaboration on Latina cultural identity and heritage in which Vazquez and Tobar delivered a powerful message of what being a Latina in America means to them. 

“Nuestro Ritmo” was perhaps the most memorable performance of the night. In “Nuestro Ritmo,” the performers retraced elements of Latino history in the United States that was both realistic and haunting with each performer offering a symbolic token from their time period to a candle-lit altar. The piece began with a portrayal of Latino culture several hundred years ago and ended with a modern stereotype of Latinos in the United States. 

Another piece which sought to dispel stereotypes and provide new images for people of color was “African Heaven,” performed by first-year Marian Mah’moud. “African Heaven” is a poem written by Ghanaian poet Frank Kobina Parkes, designed to show that there is joy in Africa, in contrast to the images of misery so often portrayed in the United States. 

Colors of Rhythm was also enhanced by two south-Asian pieces “Bharatanatyam” and “Dil Lai Gayee Kudi.” “Bharantanatyam” is a classical dance originating in South India. The piece, performed by sophomore Shruti Saisidharan, wowed the audience with its technical skill and fluid, precise movement. 
“Dil Lai Gayee Kudi,” the other South-Asian piece provided an upbeat and celebratory performance, which energized the audience.

Colors of Rhythm maintained an upbeat tone throughout, and ended with a highly energetic performance by “Dance Diaspora,” which ensured that no member of the audience left before the curtain closed.

The proceeds from the $3 admission fee will benefit the earthquake relief fund for the victims of the earthquake in Ahmedabad, India and El Centro a community center for the Latino population located right here in Lorain County, Ohio.