Published: Apr 20, 2010
As Jessica Bullock ’11 ties on her hula skirt and starts embracing the
movements of the island music, it is hard to tell the environmental
science and philosophy major considers herself shy.
But the
music and the dance have brought this UT junior out of her shell. This
Wednesday, April 21, she is helping host the International Dance
Showcase from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Vaughn Courtyard.
“The goal
is to incorporate any and all forms of dance into the show,” said
Bullock of the seven performances to include Middle Eastern, Polynesian,
Indian and Mexican forms of dance.
So moved by her interest in world dance, Bullock started UT’s World Dance Organization last spring.
“I
noticed only Western types of dance were offered here,” said Bullock,
who teaches hula and belly dance. “I wanted to give people other forms
of dance to try.”
Bullock grew up watching Indian Bollywood
films with her aunt. Intrigued by the foreign moves, at 16 she signed up
for lessons at a dance school in her hometown of Wichita, KS, which
also offered hula and belly dance.
“I love the uniqueness of
it,” Bullock said, admitting she really just wanted to learn how to
dance. “I really can’t dance if it’s not choreographed.”
María
José Laso de la Vega Olivares ’11, an exchange student from Mexico,
dances with a folk group in her hometown and will be performing at
Wednesday’s showcase.
“I miss it very much,” said Olivares, who
is majoring in creative writing at Monterrey Tec. “Folk dance in my city
is a tradition. I perform in very popular folk parties that keep this
tradition alive.”
Olivares was introduced to the dance in
college and has since discovered a love for the art. The dance,
zapateado jarocho, involves fast footwork and loosely translates to “a
stepping dance from Veracruz, Mexico.”
The International Dance Showcase, which is free, will include henna body art and prizes.
The World Dance Organization meets Fridays at 6 p.m. in the Austin Oak Room. For more information, contact
worlddance@ut.edu.
Jamie Pilarczyk, Web Writer Sign up for
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