February 4, 2005

Black Cultural Center to spotlight artists-in-residence

Twana Harris

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's Black Cultural Center will present its Artist-In-Residence Showcase at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in Stewart Center's Fowler Hall.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is designed to feature the nationally renowned artists who provide instruction for the center's performing arts ensembles.

Khari Bowden

"The showcase will be informative and fun," said Renee Thomas, BCC director. "The artists will present a snippet of the marvelous array of their talents through a rich arts education experience. Brief performances and presentations will be held during this lively event. Students will have the rare opportunity to review the work of our artists."

Artists performing include singer and composer Twana Harris, who will sing different styles of music and engage the audience in "call-and-response" activities. Harris is director of the Purdue Black Voices of Inspiration choir.

K. Iega Jeff

William Caise, director of the New Directional Players, will perform a monologue from the Audelco Award-winning play "Mighty Gents" by Richard Wesley. Other artists include Khari Bowden, a spoken word discopoet and artist-in-residence for the BCC Haraka Writers, and K. Iega Jeff, internationally acclaimed choreographer, artistic director of the Chicago-based Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre and artist-in-residence for the Jahari Dance Troupe.

Bill Caise

The Artist-in-Residence Program is a fundamental component of the BCC's cultural education program and provides students with opportunities to study with skilled practitioners in the disciplines of African-American choral music, creative writing, theater and dance.

Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu

Source: Renee Thomas, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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