Ivy Tech hosts Diversity Day, featuring West African performers

November 13, 2009                                                     

Bloomington, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College invites the public to attend its annual Diversity Day event on Thursday, November 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Ivy Tech’s main campus.

Events will feature a performance and drum workshop from West African Master Drummer, Dr. Djo Bi, dance instructor Harmony Harris, and members of their student performance troupe, Bangofla Music Ensemble. The troupe has previously performed at the Luna Festival in Bloomington, among other local and regional festivals. Dr. Djo Bi performed at the 2007 Lotus World Music and Arts Festival with a troupe of professional West African drummers and dancers.

Ivy Tech Bloomington Chancellor John Whikehart says that Ivy Tech’s Diversity Day emphasizes the importance of exposing students to the diverse world around them. “Through community partnerships, service learning, and outreach events like Diversity Day, our students are presented with learning opportunities that enrich and broaden their educations,” Whikehart said. “The Bangofla Music Ensemble represents the wonderful culture that can be found within the Bloomington community and we are pleased to host them at Ivy Tech.”

Diversity Day events:
(All events will be held at Ivy Tech Community College, 200 Daniels Way)

Community Cultural Organization Fair
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Student Commons

International Cuisine
provided by Ivy Tech Culinary Arts Program
Noon
Student Commons

West African Drum & Dance Performance
12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Student Commons

West African Drum Workshop
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Immediately following performance)
Lamkin Hall

The performers:
Dr. Djo Bi is a master hand drummer from the village of Bangofla, Cote D’Ivoire, West Africa. Childhood marked the beginning of a career that has brought him to live and perform in Europe and North America.  It is Dr. Djo Bi’s mission to share his love of traditional West African drum and dance culture everywhere he goes. Currently, Dr. Djo Bi resides in Bloomington, Indiana, with his wife, Harmony Harris. Together they teach West African drum/dance classes for children and adults, from which the Bangofla Music Ensemble springs. For more information on Dr. Djo Bi or West African drum and dance classes, contact:  dr.djo_bi@yahoo.com, (812) 339.2070, or www.doctor-djobi.com.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public post-secondary institution and one of the nation’s largest singly-accredited statewide community college systems with more than 130,000 students enrolled annually.  Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana.  It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana.  It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.