2008 Woodie Awards
Heritage Explosion
Students gather in UC to share black culture
By: LANZ CHRISTIAN BAÑES/Contributing WriterContributing Writer
Issue date: 4/14/05 Section: Culture
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As the brother-sister duo improvised, they explained some of the history and evolution of tap dancing, including its European (the tap shoes) and African (the rhythm) origins. The Da Silvias then performed to "Swing Set" by hip-hop group Jurassic 5 before turning over the stage to a media presentation.
Emanuel Da Silvia, an education major at Webster, has been tap dancing for eight years, while Efigénia Da Silvia, a film production major, has been dancing for six. Both had taken lessons, but now tap as a hobby.
The Da Silvia's tap routine was part of the Association of African American Collegian's (AAAC) annual Heritage Explosion April 10, held in the UC Sunnen Lounge. The purpose of the event is to showcase blacks in the arts, said sophomore Antoinette Boyd, president of the AAAC. Boyd said the target audience was anyone who wished to learn more about black culture, particularly those of other backgrounds.
"African-American culture is an important part of American history," said Emanuel Da Silvia. "America would not be America without African-Americans."
Tap appeals to Emanuel Da Silvia in multiple ways, he said.
"With tap, it's not just dancing, but also about rhythm," Da Silvia said. "It's almost two art forms, the musical side and the kinetic, moving side."
Including the Da Silvias, there were seven performances, all of which sought to highlight the black influence on American culture. They were arranged in chronological order, from recitations of poems from the Harlem Renaissance, the singing of traditional Negro spirituals during the slavery era and dances as diverse as interpretive, tap and hip-hop.
"I think it's important to learn about all cultures that surround you," Efigénia Da Silvia said.
Between each performance, there were also media presentations or student speakers that gave brief information about black culture and the struggles through history. The presentations centered around black artistic history in general, focusing on a few leading black writers and artists, such as Langston Hughes and Tina Turner. The one-hour event concluded with a tribute to black artists who had passed away, such as Tupac and Aaliyah.