2008 Woodie Awards
Minyo Dancers
By: Andrew Maddocks
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Features
The dancers exchanged their purple and gold fans for blue and white in Zundoko Bushi. This tale explains that after the "storms of life" and "darkness of night," spring renews beauty and life. Spring in the Japanese tradition represents the memory of loved ones that can brighten more difficult times.
Closing the program was Yosakoi Naruko Odori, featuring hand-held wooden clappers called naruko. Originally used to shoo away birds from the rice crops on Shikoku Island, the Minyos' clappers are still made on Shikoku.
Bringing the performance full circle, the final dance again celebrated the rice harvest and continuing health of farmers.
The third graders of Brownie Troop 59 stared with rapturous gazes throughout the night, and broke into enthusiastic applause as the six dancers bowed.
Asked as they prepared to leave whether they enjoyed themselves, they responded with a chorus of "yeah" and "I loved it." They particularly liked the dances with fans.
Older audience members had equally enthusiastic reactions. Sophomore Jeanette Jones and senior Kimberly Johnson said the dancers' costumes were "excellent," and that they appreciated the uniqueness of the event.
"This is something new, where the different types of dance reflect their culture," Jones said.
Since their formation in 1995 the Indianapolis Minyo women have performed all over Indiana to share their traditional art form. The dancers' mission is to connect.
After their performance at DePauw four years ago, the Office of Multicultural Affairs wanted to bring them back again.
Stetson-Grace said in an e-mail, "Our office recognizes that we must effectively meet the needs of International students, so we wanted to do programming that would meet their needs and interests and also educate the broader campus body."
After the performance, Stetson-Grace called the event a success.
She said simply, "I loved it."
Closing the program was Yosakoi Naruko Odori, featuring hand-held wooden clappers called naruko. Originally used to shoo away birds from the rice crops on Shikoku Island, the Minyos' clappers are still made on Shikoku.
Bringing the performance full circle, the final dance again celebrated the rice harvest and continuing health of farmers.
The third graders of Brownie Troop 59 stared with rapturous gazes throughout the night, and broke into enthusiastic applause as the six dancers bowed.
Asked as they prepared to leave whether they enjoyed themselves, they responded with a chorus of "yeah" and "I loved it." They particularly liked the dances with fans.
Older audience members had equally enthusiastic reactions. Sophomore Jeanette Jones and senior Kimberly Johnson said the dancers' costumes were "excellent," and that they appreciated the uniqueness of the event.
"This is something new, where the different types of dance reflect their culture," Jones said.
Since their formation in 1995 the Indianapolis Minyo women have performed all over Indiana to share their traditional art form. The dancers' mission is to connect.
After their performance at DePauw four years ago, the Office of Multicultural Affairs wanted to bring them back again.
Stetson-Grace said in an e-mail, "Our office recognizes that we must effectively meet the needs of International students, so we wanted to do programming that would meet their needs and interests and also educate the broader campus body."
After the performance, Stetson-Grace called the event a success.
She said simply, "I loved it."
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