Potpourri of Arts’ a cultural collaboration of music, dance

The word “potpourri” usually implies a diverse mixture of various objects, which have an underlying theme in common. “Potpourri” is typically thought of as a collaboration of flower petals, pine cones and other scented aspects of nature, but Saturday night saw a “potpourri” that transcended the sense of smell.\nThe Buskirk-Chumley Theater opened its doors to the African American Arts Institute’s 14th annual “Potpourri of Arts in the African American Tradition.” The event commemorates the first seasonal performance by all three ensembles in the Institute, offering an immense variety of musical and dance performances.\nThe program was dedicated to Isaiah Sanders, IU alumnus and recipient of the African American Arts Institute’s Herman C. Hudson Alumni Award for Artistic Excellence. Sanders, a former member of the IU Soul Revue, has a repertoire of performances with such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and The Emotions. He also provided the theme for the Institute’s performance season: “Proud and Keeping It Real!”\nAfter introductions by the emcee, junior Ariel Simpson, the program began with the African American Chorale Ensemble, which delivered a variety of old-time and contemporary gospel. Within this ensemble were three other troupes: Sojourner, Soul-ACE and God’s Progress. Soul-ACE was the only all-male chorus, bringing the audience smooth R&B tones. The other two choirs were female-only; Sojourner performed a more soulful exhibition while God’s Progress executed a contemporary piece with salsa-like rhythms.\nChoral Director Keith McCutchen said this year is only the Choral Ensemble’s second in existence, which makes him feel like he needs to prove himself.\nHe said the Choral Ensemble has had to prove that they are funky and soulful enough. He has also had to show his beliefs through the direction of the choirs.\nAll of the ensembles came together for the two final songs of their set, “Clap Praise” and “When I Get There.” \nFollowing the spiritual performance by the Choral Ensemble was the African American Dance Company, which began with a solo performance by Dance Company Associate Instructor Meghan McGuire. Delivering a contemporary dance display to Christina Aguilera’s “A Song for You,” McGuire’s bluesy performance matched the blue background her silhouette moved against.\nThe blue background transitioned into a sunrise orange as the other members of the company sulked onto the stage. This section of the performance, titled “Collective Images,” traveled through the defining eras of African American history in the United States, including the time periods of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. The dancers then flowed into the final segment of their performance, “Hope for the Future.” The entire company leapt, spun and whirled to Incognito’s “I Can See the Future,” concluding their season’s inaugural performance.\nFinally, after an intermission, the IU Soul Revue came to the stage, dressed straight out of the disco era. The band broke into funky, soulful beats as the group’s performance began.\nThe Soul Revue had the most interactive performance, causing audience members to get out of their seats and dance in the aisles and rows. People of all ages were clapping and singing along, enjoying themselves and the performance.\nThough the explosive, lively act by the Soul Revue was the evident crowd favorite, all acts of “Potpourri of Arts” delivered memorable exhibitions of talent and skill. The next performance by one of the ensembles will be the IU Soul Revue’s show on Nov. 28 at Bear’s Place.