Sorority traces roots of dance

By AMY MENEFEE
Collegian Staff Writer

African, swing, hip-hop and step dancing have one key element in common -- they represent aspects of the evolution of African-American culture through performance.

Tonight, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will present "Tracing Your Roots: A Journey from Past to Present Through Dance," a program encompassing the variety of African-American culture.

Delta Sigma Theta, a public service sorority, sponsors programs geared toward educating the Penn State community about African-American culture. The sorority's largest philanthropic event is its yearly talent show, which offers scholarships.

Tracing Your Roots will begin at 7:30 tonight in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center and is free.

Richee Byrd (senior-political science), social service chair for the sorority, described the program as a journey from Africa to America based on performances from different time periods.

"Dance is a big part of African-American culture," Byrd added.

The program will begin with traditional African dances and a dance symbolizing the period of slavery, performed by NOMMO Performing Arts Company. The company exhibits story telling through rhythmic and spiritual movements, which are kept uniform through the beat of drums.

"In the African tradition, dance is as important as the spoken word," said Charles Dumas, associate professor of theatre arts.

The journey through time continues into the Harlem Renaissance, which propelled the city as an urban center of black America in the 1920s, with a swing dance. The dance will be in tune with the resurgence of the swing dance craze.

The high-energy performances will continue with hip-hop dance troupe Caution. The troupe is gaining popularity as a feature performer after winning a talent show hosted by the sorority last semester.

"Their style is controlled and organized, it's fluid," said Breyana Cardwell (sophomore-engineering). "You can tell they enjoy what they're doing."

The dance journey will end with a step performance, which has roots in African and South African culture. Stepping includes rhythmic stomping and hand movements in performances.

The program offers a number of different showcases and dance expressions throughout history. Lurie Daniel (senior-African and African-American studies) said dancing in any form is very expressive.

"You can typically find a dance that correlates to any and every facet of life."