Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THEY SAID IT “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, Page 7 perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.5!. Friday, April 8, 2005 HENRY DAVID thwor“n ■ ■ ■ ——== ■ ■■■ ~ ■ ■ ■ ■ , ■ ■■-■■■ —i—-it ' ** * 4 PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Borenya is a West African dance team whose name means “friendship." Borenya auditions are held in the spring. Artistic instructor Mohamed DaCpsta and Dance Directcr Olumeri Sane teach a dance class. USC studentfinds passion for West African dancing, plans to try out for dance team By KIMBERLY HUNT FOR THE GAMECOCK Endia Sowers truly dances to the beat of her own drum. The third-year education student lives and breathes West African dancing when she finds free time. “There’s no words for that feeling you get when the drums start,” she said. She took up the craft last fall when USC offered its once-a-year West African dancing class. “When I saw the class, I jumped at it,” Sowers said. Sowers said she has always been interested in West African dance. She said she has been going to performances since she was young. In each class, students learn new dance moves. Instructors Mohamed DaCosta and Olumeri Sano, from Guinea, dance, and the students follow their moves. “It’s not formal,” Sowers said. “There’s no stop, 1-2-3. We just dance.” People 18 and older and of various cultural backgrounds take the class, Sowers said. “A lot of people assume it’s just young, black, fit people, but there were a lot of people in there,” she said. Students earn their grade from doing a research paper about a country in West Africa, as well as a final dance performance. Students must perform what they learned in front of students versed in other styles, like ballet and jazz. “We got a roaring applause,” Sowers said. Even though she took the class last semester, Sowers still practices her moves with some West African music of her own. “1 dance at night before I go to sleep in my room or in the gym in a multipurpose room,” she said. Last semester, Sowers said she practiced three times a week for an hour and a half with her class. Now she practices alone three times a week for 45 minutes to an hour. Sowers said she does not mind dancing alone. She is preparing for spring try-outs for Borenya, the West African dance team. Borenya means “friendship.” The team travels around the Southeast performing at different schools, festivals, concerts, play debuts and art museums. For the try-out, Sowers must be interviewed, learn a new dance piece on the spot and sing a West African song taught to her minutes before. She also must perform an improv dance in the middle of a circle where everyone creates moves to the beat of the instructor’s drums. “You just move based on beats and breaks of the drummers,” she said. Sowers also practices at community centers where her instructors teach when they’re not at USC. The community centers have more of a teaching setting instead of dancing, she said. Different methods are used from those in USC classes, and the community center classes are open to all ages. After graduation, Sowers said she wants to travel and continue West African dance. She said she wants to join the Peace Corps, which will take her to , Caribbean countries such as' Jamaica, St. Lucia and thp Dominican Republic. “I’ll dance as a hobby,” Sowers said. “Hopefully, I’ll become part of a dance company.” West African dance is more than entertainment for Sowers. It’s a form of celebration, Sowers said. “It’s just amazing.” For more information about Borenya, visit www.borenya.org. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gumi.sc. edu > Showcase to feature ‘edutainment’ for prospective students, families By JESSICA A. NIELSEN THE GAMECOCK Carolina Alumni Association will keep its spirits high, rain or shine, Saturday during its 18th annual USC Showcase on the Horseshoe. The showcase will include more than 30 displays from USC educational departments and organizations. Often called a day of “edutainment,” the showcase is designed to give prospective students an opportunity to visit campus, as well as provide entertainment for local families. “This day gives a wide display of the different programs here at USC,” said Melissa Fletcher, director of programs and scholarships for Carolina Alumni. “It’s a first introduction for prospective students to USC. It’s a great day to get an idea of what USC has to offer.” Department representatives will rtalk to students ,{<bout their respective programs. Students, advisers and graduates from some departments will answer questions as well. Other displays will include Carolina Card, Computer Services, Carolina Collegiate Federal Credit Union, and Law Enforcement and Safety. Representatives will explain to prospective students their role at USC. Along with the displays, a stage on' the Horseshoe will feature performances by University Band, Carolina Alive, Cocktails and Cocky. Rutledge Chapel will feature performances by University Chorus and USC Concert Choir. “It’s also a fun day for families. If you went to USC, you can bring your family out. There’s food and balloons all over the Horseshoe,” Fletcher said. Carolina Alumni Association will hand out tickets for refreshments in a tent in the middle of the Horseshoe. One of the association’s main goals is to generate excitement in prospective students. “I’\^ had calls from people coming from Virginia and Tennessee and all over. It’s a perfect day for students to come and see what’s going on here at USC,” Fletcher said. Showcase attendees can take campus walking tours every hour, as well as tours of the Greek Village. Some departments will also be open for students to visit, including the College of Pharmacy, Undergraduate Admissions office, Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center, Army ROTC and some USC housing. The Admissions Office will hold three information sessions in Rutledge Chapel for students considering attending USC. Parking will be available at the Wellness Center. A shutde will take visitors to the Florseshoe. The Wellness Center is the showcase back-up location in case of inclement weather. “Keep your fingers crossed it doesn’t rain,” Fletcher said. The showcase will take place 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ju Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm.sc. edu Carolina Alive to warm up spring with ‘Swingin’ jazz performance PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Carolina Alive is USC’s own performing jazz ensemble. By MEGAN SINCLAIR THE GAMECOCK It’s time for all that jazz — and more. Carolina Alive, USC’s vocal jazz choir, is gearing up for “Swingin’,” its spring performance tonight at the School of Music. The show will offer listeners the jazz promised by the group’s title, along with a few surprises. Carolina Alive will sing jazz versions of popular classics, along with a cappella jazz selections. “We do about half a cappella, which is with no accompanist, and we also do some with the jazz combo,” said Laura Nevitt, a second-year music composition student and choir member. “That includes drum set, string bass, piano, and sometimes trumpet and guitar.” The choir will offer a wide selection, including popular songs from the current music culture. “We do a lot of jazz standards, as well as some classic tunes in more of a jazz style,” Nevitt said. “We also do some more popular stuff like ‘Rockin’ Robin’ and ‘Son of a Preacher Man.’ “We also are doing ‘Soul Bossa Nova,’ which is the theme to ‘Austin Powers.’ Some other songs like ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ will be included.” Carolina Alive is an ensemble group with 12 members, six male and six female. Along with ensemble pieces, some members of the choir will perform solo or in small groups. “We have ensemble pieces, a trio and some solo pieces,” Nevitt said. “It’s a very varied program.” Concerts typically draw a large crowd, Nevitt said. Community members, as well as students, come. “It’s such a varied program that a lot of people come. It’s usually a big hit. I really enjoy doing it.” Carolina Alive has been a popular USC music ensemble for more than 30 years. The last two years, however, have taken the choir in a new direction. The group was a show choir for the first 30 years, but the program changed when former director and founder Richard Conant retired. Conant was replaced by Shannon Jeffreys, who decided to make the program into a jazz ensemble. “We’ve been around for at least about 30 years, but about two years ago we switched directors to Shannon Jeffreys,” Nevitt said. “It used to be a show choir, but we ♦ Please see ALIVE, page 8