"The national 'dance boom' of the late 1950's through the 1980's expanded audiences and support for dance. Federal grants supported the development of college dance programs and touring dance companies. The University Musical Society brought dance to the University of Michigan’s Power Center for the Performing Arts, built in Ann Arbor in 1971. Both at the University and in the community, Ann Arbor became a destination for dance.

"The national 'dance boom' of the late 1950's through the 1980's expanded audiences and support for dance. Federal grants supported the development of college dance programs and touring dance companies. The University Musical Society brought dance to the University of Michigan’s Power Center for the Performing Arts, built in Ann Arbor in 1971. Both at the University and in the community, Ann Arbor became a destination for dance.

The first dance showcase will feature four accomplished Indian classical dancers, two of them in solo presentations and one in duet. We are excited to present three styles of dance: Mohiniyattam, Bharatanatyam and Kathak. The dancers will present interesting choreographies, thoughtfully conceived and choreographed. The performances will be followed by a panel discussion with the dancers, moderated by Prof.

Leah Bass-Baylis was born in 1954 in Ypsilanti. Her parents Thomas and Louise Bass–a doctor and teacher–were influential members of Ypsilanti’s Black community. She studied dance at Ypsilanti’s Randazzo Dance Theater and graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta in 1976.

As part of the Rasa Festival, Dr. Stephen Huyler presents a fascinating talk that recounts an amazing story of the discovery of a rural Indian woman's beautiful art.

It's time to learn about the Tango! The Tango evolved from new dances that immigrants brought into Argentina more that 150 years ago. Learn more when Tango expert Mabel Rodriguez will discuss this fascinating dance and its history, complete with live Tango demonstrations. Mabel Rodr?guez is currently the coordinator of the Intermediate Intensive Spanish program at the Residential College at the University of Michigan and has been an active member of the Michigan Argentine Tango Club of the University of Michigan since 2002.

Enjoy Afro-Brazilian dance and martial arts with performers from Capoeira Mandinga Michigan. The only indigenous American martial art, Capoeira was developed by African slaves in Brazil in the 1600s and it became a strong weapon in the life and death struggle against their oppressors. With strong aerobic and dance elements, Capoeira is both an art form and self-defense. Watch performers incorporate aerobic and dance moves that are as graceful as a panther and as treacherous as a snake.