Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
On Friday and Saturday, the Fall Student Dance Concert, which included taiko, tap, interpretive dance, and dances from Ghana, was presented in LPAC.
As always, Taiko was arresting while performing two pieces. The first, Yatai Bayashi,” opened the concert with a bang, and the second, “Tobikomu,” was designed to “evoke the galloping of horses.” “Mocean” was a solo interpretive piece performed by Ashley Miniet ’10, which simulated the fluid, writhing, and rushing movements typical of the ocean. The tap pieces, “Unity” and “Rudolph,” were bouncy and light pieces accompanied by projection backgrounds to set the mood.
Particularly unique to this year’s performances were Professor Nii Yartey’s “The Takai Dance” and “The Kpanlogo Dance.” Both pieces, originally from Ghana, were richly and animatedly performed. “The Takai Dance” was originally a royal dance that allows all people to experience being a royal. “The Kpanlogo Dance” is a social dance that originated during the period in which Ghana was celebrating its independence.
Professor Yartey also led the audience in a special participatory intermission which he referred to as “an African touch.” In an interview prior to the performance, Professor Yartey explained, “We have to put it within the context of how Africans perceive dance. Dance is a very strong force in bringing people together. It breaks people away from their share of fear. It is inward looking. The tool for dance is the human body… movement is life and therefore if dance is used well, it helps people to grow in all fields.”
Professor Yartey is pleased to see that students here appear to be aware of this lesson, investing themselves in the arts as well as other academic pursuits. “Back into history, all of the scientists were in the arts,” Prof. Yartey observes. “People with vision see the value of the arts, of dance.” He noted that this tradition is a shared one between Swarthmore and Ghana, and he spoke highly of the relationship between his country and the college.
Professor Yartey also speaks highly of his students, “They’ve worked so hard, what they have done is incredible.” Next semester, Professor Yartey is excited to be teaching a totally new kind of class. His contemporary African dance theory and practice classes will allow students to be a part of constructing their performance. To help sculpt the dance, Professor Yartey will be inviting guests from Ghana to contribute, including a poet, xylophonist, and several dancers from Ghana.
Reflecting on the value of dance Prof, Yartey noted, “To move forward in life, there are better ways than guns or way… ways that start from how your mind is tickled and how you see the unseen line between you and all around you. The arts provide the opportunity to see this line.” Events such as the Student Dance Concert clearly demonstrate the desire of Swarthmore students to explore such boundaries.
