Performers offer art 'Potpourri'

The IU African American Arts Institute will put on the 13th annual "Potpourri of the Arts" under the theme "Seeing is Believing." The event begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Buskirk-Chumley and will feature the African American Choral Ensemble, the IU Soul Revue and the African American Dance Company performing on the same stage.\nGeneral admission is $15. Student admission is $10 at the door and $5 in advance. Each ensemble will perform individually and then a finale featuring all three groups will close the show, according to a press release from the event. \nThough this year's event is operating under the theme "Seeing is Believing," the annual performance is referred to as a "potpourri."\n"We chose the theme 'Potpourri' because it gives an array of different African art forms," said Joii Byrd, performance manager of the African American Art Institute. "IU Soul Revue has some Motown and funk in its sound. The Choral Ensemble has more sacred, contemporary gospel and spiritual pieces, and the Dance Company has a lot of energetic dancing."\nByrd said the event is expected every year from the Bloomington community and has previously been performed at the John Waldron Arts Center and the IU Auditorium. "Not only do we make it a student event,but a community event, too," Byrd said.\nAAAI Promotional Coordinator Lauren Williams said she hopes this year's event will draw a large crowd.\n"It's different from everything else in Bloomington," Williams said. "With this, you have a combination of dance, gospel '70s funk, soul music, choral and spiritual. It's a breath of fresh air to go to this concert."\nThe African American Choral Ensemble, IU Soul Revue and African American Dance Company are led and directed by Keith McCutchen, Nathanael Fareed Mahluli and Iris Rosa, respectively. To reserve tickets, call the Sunrise Box Office at 323-3020.