Rhythmic beats and traditional African dance were at the core of the African Student Union’s 38th annual showcase held at Lincoln Middle School Saturday night.
About 250 people attended the event.
Attendees were encouraged to bring canned goods or make a donation to the SOS Children’s Villages, a family-based social aid group, and Gators United for Haiti, according to Roberta Roberts, ASU’s public relations director.
The showcase’s theme, Bridging the Gap, was portrayed through a coming-of-age story following the journey of a tribal chief’s son. Storytellers narrated, and all performances were tied into the theme, Roberts said.
Adetola Ilegbusi, the showcase’s co-director, said, the purpose of the event was to create a level of understanding among Africans, African-Americans and Europeans.
“We want to bridge the gap in a beautiful, pronounced way,” Ilegbusi said.
Mackenzie Robinson, an anthropology junior, said the theme lived up to its name.
“Although I’m not African,” she said, “I felt so welcomed. It was an immersive experience.”
