Dance Troupe Draws On African American Traditions

When Expressions stormed the stage at the recent Black Arts Festival, spectators expecting an exclusively black female dance group may have been surprised. Although the group draws on African American musical and dance traditions, its membership includes male and female students from a range of ethnic backgrounds.

"We're representative in that a lot of people deem hip-hop and reggae as part of African-American culture," said Celia S. Edwards '99, co-director of the troupe.

No auditions are required to join the troupe, although try-outs are mandatory for those who wish to participate in shows. Edwards and fellow co-director Helen Skinner '98 choreograph most of the performance pieces, usually to hip-hop style music or tunes by jazz greats Billy Holiday and John Coltrane.

Edwards emphasized that students join Expressions to dance, not to make a statement. Dispelling preconceptions that might characterize Expressions as an all black, all female group, Edwards noted the presence of men as well as Latina and white dancers.

Other dance groups contributing to the black cultural experience at Harvard include Gumboots and the Steppers. Many dances featured in these groups' performances originated in climates of racial injustice and oppressive labor conditions, such as early twentieth century South Africa. Yet dancers present their work asa celebration of African American traditions,similar to Expressions, an art form with the powerto unify black students on campus.

Edwards said that although Expressions does nothave an explicitly political focus, it serves animportant part in heightening cultural awarenesson campus.

"Expressions does play a role in educating theHarvard community," said Edwards. "It's likeadding another layer of the cultural experience.We play a key role in that."

Expressions will perform at Cultural Rhythms inSanders Theatre Feb. 28, and again in April atLowell Lecture Hall, sharing the stage withdancers from the Caribbean Club.

The latter is, according to co-founder JoelleN. Simpson '99, primarily a social organization,open to students of various cultural and ethnicbackgrounds, that recently developed a danceprogram. Simpson said the group is a more overtlyactivist political entity in its initiatives,including meetings with leaders from Trinidad andJamaica, off campus.

"Our [political] voice won't be heard on campusbecause we're trying to speak through theCaribbean itself," Simpson said.

Several dancers from Expressions are already indemand performing with other campus dance groups,including the Caribbean Club. In addition, thegroup itself has become increasingly popular.

"I've had a lot of requests for Expressions todo its own show," said Edwards. The co-directorviews this enthusiasm as a sign of Harvard'sappreciativeness for the group's contribution tocampus life

Edwards said that although Expressions does nothave an explicitly political focus, it serves animportant part in heightening cultural awarenesson campus.

"Expressions does play a role in educating theHarvard community," said Edwards. "It's likeadding another layer of the cultural experience.We play a key role in that."

Expressions will perform at Cultural Rhythms inSanders Theatre Feb. 28, and again in April atLowell Lecture Hall, sharing the stage withdancers from the Caribbean Club.

The latter is, according to co-founder JoelleN. Simpson '99, primarily a social organization,open to students of various cultural and ethnicbackgrounds, that recently developed a danceprogram. Simpson said the group is a more overtlyactivist political entity in its initiatives,including meetings with leaders from Trinidad andJamaica, off campus.

"Our [political] voice won't be heard on campusbecause we're trying to speak through theCaribbean itself," Simpson said.

Several dancers from Expressions are already indemand performing with other campus dance groups,including the Caribbean Club. In addition, thegroup itself has become increasingly popular.

"I've had a lot of requests for Expressions todo its own show," said Edwards. The co-directorviews this enthusiasm as a sign of Harvard'sappreciativeness for the group's contribution tocampus life