Groups representing cultures and performance styles from around the world will bring their talents together in the name of AIDS education tonight.
A variety of groups will take over Memorial Hall at 7:30 p.m. for the fifth annual Triangle Dance Festival for AIDS.
The festival aims to increase AIDS awareness while celebrating performance art. It is hosted by Baba Chuck Davis, founder and artistic director of The Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble, the night’s headlining act.
Also performing at the festival:
- Southern High School Drum Line
- Grammy-nominated singer Lois Deloatch
- Duke University’s Defining Movement
- MiscONcEption Hip Hop
- Que Rico Latin Dance
- Duke Raas South Asian Dance
- OASIS’ Zankiliwa African Dance
- UNC Vietnamese Students Association
- Opeyo!
- Kamikazi
“The festival blends the art form of dancing with health advocacy,” said Natalie Cummings, co-chairwoman of this year’s event.
The festival includes performances by diverse groups from the Chapel Hill and Durham area. Dance groups from UNC and Duke will perform alongside professional groups.
The festival will also feature spoken word by PoetiK Mic and Ebony Readers/Onyx Theatre.
“We want to break down boundaries between campus and community,” said Marie Garlock, the community liaison for the UNC Center for AIDS Research. “That’s how this is unique.”
The performance groups represent a variety of cultures around the world through Latin American, African and Asian dance, among others.
“We wanted to bring in people from different networks who usually don’t interact,” said Bianca Nguyen, co-chairwoman of the festival.
Garlock said the diversity of performers is symbolic of the effect AIDS has all over the world.
“They represent everyone impacted by HIV,” Garlock said.
The festival began in 2006 when Garlock teamed up with Davis and some students at UNC to bring together local performers to support a cause while showcasing their art.
“Arts can really bring us together around health justice,” Garlock said.
She said the festival focuses on the positive progress in the global fight against AIDS.
“The festival is a celebration of life and best practices in the fight against AIDS, rather than just statistics or demeaning images,” Garlock said.
A health gala in the Campus Y will follow the performance. The gala will feature several organizations offering HIV testing and information, as well as information about volunteer opportunities with local and global AIDS organizations.
Cummings said this event will be different from many campus performances because of the blend of arts and health justice and the involvement of well-known people in the AIDS community.
“People always remember this event,” Nguyen said. “You have a strong sense of community after you leave the show.”
Contact the Arts Editorat artsdesk@unc.edu.
