Dancers bring their DREAM to Bronco

By Marcy Redmond

The Destiny Re-defining Education through Art and Movement (DREAM) Dance Company performs in The Bronco Friday to spread a message of cultural unity through song, poetry, dance and theater.

DREAM is a group of ethnically-diverse adults who travel nationally to grade schools, universities, art festivals and conferences, to show the deep connections between all people that the muscle of rhythm and the power of words bring out.

DREAM is "a program that celebrates diversity and multiculturalism outside of the classroom," Tam Nguyen, of the Center for Student Leadership, said. Nguyen was commissioned by the Center for Multicultural Learning's Diversity and Dialogue Council to bring the troop to campus. The performance "will offer an educational experience that students can relate to," she adds.

Events like this, that engage audiences through entertainment can help build "a supportive multicultural environment at SCU," Nguyen said.

Sponsored by the Oakland Destiny Arts Center, DREAM's seven members choreograph, produce and direct their own shows. They each wear many hats, expressing themselves through everything from beat boxing to poetry.

DREAM's artistic director, Naomi Bragin, is also the choreographer. She uses personal experiences of the performers to fuel dance numbers. Bragin's goal is to express "different cultural heritages coming together to find connections and cut across boundaries."

Traveling with the DREAM production will help more people to "learn who they are, about their heritage and to appreciate other people's cultures," Bragin hopes.

Santa Clara students seem to be yearning for such a cultural event, as several classes and student-run organizations have articulated a desire to see DREAM light up the stage with their unique blend of artistic talent.

Although this is only DREAM's second year together, their enthusiastic dedication to connecting others through the common thread of the arts can already be seen in their energetic, audience participation-based musical experience. As Bragin exclaims, they "get people juiced" at their performances.

It is easy to see why many schools and festivals have thoroughly enjoyed the talents and power of DREAM.

Experience their rap and street dance Friday at 3 p.m. in The Bronco.

û Contact Marcy Redmond at (408) 554-4546 or mredmond@scu.edu.