“This is Our Story” is the theme for the upcoming 21st annual “Potpourri of the Arts” concert, according to a press release from the African American Arts Institute at IU.
The AAAI is the home of IU Soul Revue, the African American Dance Company and the African American Choral Ensemble.
This year’s event celebrates the Institute’s 40-year history of “preserving and celebrating the African American performing arts tradition.”
Herman C. Hudson kick-started the creation of the African American Arts Institute at IU.
He wanted to create a platform that would allow students to take courses that explored African American performance styles.
His wish came true in 1971 with the establishment of the IU Soul Revue.
In 1974, the African American Dance Company was formed and the African American Arts Institute became an official entity of the University.
A year later, the African American Choral Ensemble emerged, bringing together a “triad of academic-performance components, as they exist today,” according to the release.
Hudson became the Institute’s first executive ?director.
Lillian R. Dunlap worked closely with Hudson as assistant director and co-founder of the organization. She will be present at this year’s “Potpourri of the Arts.”
Saturday night, all three ensembles will display to audiences the “power, poise and passion that so accurately define the African American arts tradition,” according to the release.
Under the direction of Raymond Wise, the African American Choral Ensemble will offer a variety of songs ranging from hymns to spirituals to contemporary gospel classics.
Iris Rosa, professor and director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies, will lead the African American Dance Company in original choreography.
The choreography features a “fusion of modern, jazz, African and Latin American dance styles,” according to the release.
IU Soul Revue, directed by Tyron Cooper, is set to perform classic soulful tunes from the 1960s to the present.
Its set list will “mirror the familiar yet evolving themes of celebration, love and social consciousness in the African American culture,” according to the release.
The event is open to everyone in the community, but tickets are required. General admission tickets are $20. Children and student tickets are $10.
Tickets can be purchased at the Buskirk-Chumley’s box office or on its website.
Audrey Perkins
