Teaching the culture of dance

The IU African American Dance Company held its eighth annual Dance Workshop Friday and Saturday at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. According to its Web site, the African American Dance Company focuses on original choreography based on a fusion of modern, jazz, African American, Latin American and African Diaspora dance styles. \nDance professionals taught IU students and other participants different African and African American styles of dance. Instructors offered classes in modern dance, jazz, African, Afro-Cuban styles as well as salsa. Students were exposed to a broad range of dance traditions and techniques from the African American and African diaspora. \nThe weekend included master classes in diverse dance forms, a panel discussion and a dance showcase. The panel discussion, titled "The Black Dance Experience," explored the future of youth in the dance discipline in communities and universities. The dance workshop coordinators said this is the only event in Indiana to bring national and international dance professionals who will introduce students and community members to dance forms of the African diaspora.