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Annual Potpourri of the Arts concert showcases two new ensemble directors

Nov 13, 2017

Couldn’t attend the recent Potpourri of the Arts concert? Check out photos from the annual tradition that began in 1993.

Potpourri’s purpose is to embody the spirit of African American performance via its three ensembles; the African American Dance Company, the African American Choral Ensemble and the IU Soul Revue. Each ensemble performed individually, and then together in a collaborative finale piece.

The IU African American Dance Company.
Members of the African American Dance Company perform during Potpourri of the Arts.

Photos by James Brosher, IU Communications

This was the first concert featuring two new directors: Stafford C. Berry Jr., a renowned choreographer and teacher, directs the IU African American Dance Company, and IU alumnus James A. Strong Jr., an accomplished bassist and musical director and producer, leads the IU Soul Revue.

Berry replaced professor Iris Rosa, founding director of the African American Dance Company, who retired in May. Strong replaced Crystal Taliefero, who left the position to focus on her professional music career.

A member of the African American Choral Ensemble sings a solo.
Raymond Wise sings with the African American Choral Ensemble.

Photos by James Brosher, IU Communications

The African American Dance Company and IU Soul Revue, in addition to the African American Choral Ensemble directed by Raymond Wise, are performing arts ensembles managed by the African American Arts Institute, a unit of the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs, at IU Bloomington. The three ensembles are courses offered to IU students, for credit, through the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies.

Jasmine Dennie performs with the IU Soul Revue.

Photos by James Brosher, IU Communications

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