As a part of the university’s Black History Month celebration, the Shippensburg University Heritage Dance Company hosted their “Black Experience Tribute” on Feb. 23 in Memorial Auditorium. The showcase consisted of dance, music, poetry and film, highlighting the talent and experience of black students in Shippensburg.
The performance was split into three segments, with hosts Steven Matheson and Mikah Hudson leading the audience through the show. BET’s theme was “Evolution of Dance,” with performances by SU Heritage Dance Company and In Motion Dance Troupe.
SU Heritage Dance Company had a range of dance performances, dancing to genres ranging from jazz to hip hop. The seven dancers performed their hearts out to songs by a myriad of black artists. In Motion Dance Company took the stage, performing songs such as Cardi B’s “Bongos” and Nicki Minaj’s “Chun Li.”
Short film “From the Mind of Shamere Briggs” highlighted the many talents of black students on campus, including segments like “Young, Black, and Educated,” “Just a Snow Day,” and “The Race.” A performance of Etta James’ “At Last” by student Ashanti blew the audience away, her voice received with cheers and applause. Sisi Holley tap danced her way through “Formation” by Beyonce. The Harmonic Voices of Truth choir performed “Greater” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. The Elite Modeling Company stunned as they strutted to “Vogue” and showed off their talent.
“It took a lot of practice,” said SU Heritage president Hailey Wilcox. “I like that we had a chance to show the school what we were doing, doing it with my teammates and friends, just to show the black excellence throughout the month of February.”
The environment of the event was supportive and positive, uplifting the performers through nervousness and technical difficulties.
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