WLC enjoys dance and music rooted in the cultures of the African Diaspora
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What would you consider to be the most meaningful part of Ko-Thi’s work? “Influencing the next generation to carry on the traditions of African dance is the essence of our mission. None of our work is recorded or written down anywhere. All of the dance we perform was passed along through the oral tradition of our ancestors.”
n February 23, Wisconsin Lutheran College hosted the world-renowned Ko-Thi Dance Company as a culminating event celebrating Black History Month. Ko-Thi, now in its 50th season, performed to a full house in the Schwan Concert Hall with a variety of original works handed down from many generations of Africans. Before the performance, Rich Mannisto ’94, WLC’s vice president of advancement, interviewed Ko-Thi’s artistic director, DeMar Walker. The group is scheduled to return to WLC in 2021. Celebrating 50 years is quite an accomplishment; what has changed over that time, and what has not? “Passion and energy for the art form of African Diaspora dance have never wavered throughout the past 50 years. When we began in 1969, the dance company only worked with adults; now, we work with dancers ages 6 to 60.”
18 | Spring/Summer 2020
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Influencing the next generation to carry on the traditions of African dance is the essence of our mission.
What thoughts would you like to pass along to the WLC family who attended the performance or are reading our interview? “Ko-Thi provides a fun and interactive demonstration of a vast and diverse art form that has been carried throughout the generations and continues to be a reassurance of life not only for black people but also for all people throughout the world. It is an honor to be able to present our work to the WLC family and partner with you.”
