Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia’s Pamoja Dance Company will celebrate a milestone anniversary with the performance of “40 Years of Unity” on April 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. the Oconee County Civic Center.
The performance will include reinterpretations of select performances from the past four decades as well as a variety of new hip hop, jazz and modern dance numbers to recent songs, including “Soldier of Love” by Sade, “Partition” by Beyoncé and “In Paris” by Jay-Z and Kanye West.
Pamoja Dance Company was founded in 1974 to provide students with an opportunity to become a part of a performing dance company that celebrated the works of African-American dancers and choreographers. Today, students are able to explore various styles of dance while promoting their personal artistic expression.
More than 50 students are active members of the company each semester.
“With passion, grace, and supreme artistry, Pamoja has provided University of Georgia students of all majors and skill levels the opportunity to become a part of a performing dance company,” said Zoe M. Johnson, director of multicultural services and programs. “The love of expression through dance has united the company and our campus community alike.”
“Everyone’s a dancer at heart, and Pamoja just gives students the opportunity to explore it,” said Courtney Jemison, a third-year management and fashion merchandising student from Decatur and Pamoja president. “Ballet or hip-hop, technical or non-technical, experts or first timers are all welcome.
“Pamoja Dance Company is a family that truly defines the meaning of unity,” he said.
Johnson said staff and students are proud to mark 40 years of artistic excellence. “We celebrate the forethought of the founders and applaud current dancers for sharing their passion for four marvelous decades,” she said.
Tickets are $7 for the public, $5 for students with valid UGACards who pay activity fees on the Athens campus, and they are available at the Tate Student Center Cashier Window, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Transportation will be provided from the Tate Student Center to the show venue.
Pamoja Dance Company is a registered student organization within UGA Student Affairs.
For more information, call 706-542-5773 or see http://msp.uga.edu.
UGA Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs comprises 20 campus departments that enhance the learning environment for students at the University of Georgia by stimulating the learning process, integrating the in-class and out-of-class experiences, promoting an environment conducive to growth and discovery and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural and emotional development. For more information, see http://studentaffairs.uga.edu.
