Anyone on Bo Diddley Community Plaza on Friday will visit West Africa and Brazil.
Three groups from the UF School of Music’s World Ensembles — the Sunshine Steelers, a steel drum band; Jacaré Brazil, a singing and musical ensemble for Brazilian traditional and popular music; and Agbedidi Africa, a West African dance crew — will perform at 8 p.m. as part of Gainesville’s “Free Fridays” concert series.
Denzel Williams, a member of Agbedidi Africa, said the group, which is made up of about 50 students, started practices Monday and Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Nadine M. McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion.
“Our warm-ups are intense, I’m already sweating,” said the 24-year-old UF dance junior.
Williams, a transfer student, said his favorite part of the performance is a circle of expression, where audience members get on stage and dance with the group.
“Seeing the smiles on everyone’s face makes me feel like I’ve shared a part of me with them,” he said.
Mohamed Dacosta, a senior lecturer in the UF School of Theatre and Dance, directs the dance.
“The students performing are from all over the country,” Dacosta said. “They are all different majors and perform to have fun.”
Larry Crook, a UF School of Music professor, will direct the Jacaré Brazil performance. He is hopeful the World Ensembles will gain attention from the concert.
“The Bo Diddley concert helps people learn about what we do here at UF,” Crook said.
