Holi for Future Generations

During our experiences with the Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana, we were introduced to Raj*, a community member and founder of the Temple. Raj told us  about the Hindu faith and the inner-workings of the Hindu religion. We were fascinated by his explanation of Hinduism and wanted to learn more about it. We decided…

An Interview with Rabbi Rob Weber

We met Rabbi Rob at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe on an unseasonably nice evening. We arrived about fifteen minutes early, but the Rabbi was already set up at a large table, drinking a coffee and eating a bagel. Before we began the interview, we made some small talk and the Rabbi bought us coffee,…

Interview with Isabella of Notre Dame’s Ballet Folklorico Azul y Oro

Caitlin, Kelly, and I had the opportunity to talk with Isabella Speedon. Isabella is a student at Saint Mary’s College and a member of the Notre Dame Ballet Folklorico group. Isabella talked to us about the history of ballet folkorico and what it is like to dance with the group at Notre Dame. An excerpt…

Ruby Jazayre: World–Renown Belly Dancer!

  Rebecca, Ellen, and I had the privilege of getting to know one of the best Middle Eastern dancers around. Her name is Ruby Jazayre. For 38 years, she has been learning, teaching, and performing belly dancing all over the world. We were able to sit down, talk with her, get to know her better,…

Interview with Sahag

        One of the only men who participated with the South Bend Folk Dancers while Chiara, Jennie, and I were conducting our research was Sahag Oxian. His Turkish, Macedonian, Greek, and Armenian backgrounds provided him with a wealth of historical information on each of the dances we performed. Even more, his enthusiasm…

Interview With Michael McMillion

Below is our interview with one of the Spraoi Agus Rince Irish Step Dance School instructors, Michael McMillion. The interview focused on his personal experience and life in the Irish Step dancing world, along with his involvement with the specific style of dance he teaches at the school called Ceilidh Dance. We learned more about…

Interview with Dusten Roe

We got the opportunity to interview Dustin Roe, a fellow dancer alongside Bridget, right before he started his night at Vegetable Buddies. We asked him various questions, about his dancing lifestyle and how he is involved with the Latin night experience. Most of the questions centralized around a theme of his identity in Latin dance…

An Interview with Grace from Beyond Zen

Dakota, Krysta and myself (Madeline) interviewed Grace from Beyond Zen about gender roles in yoga. She makes some great points about an increase in men coming to classes and why she thinks that might be the case. There seems to be an upward trend of men coming to yoga classes in the area. Grace: So we’re…

A Brief Overview of Hinduism by Raj

Juliette and I had a chance to have a conversation with Prof. Raj Kohli, the President of the Hindu Temple of Michiana. We got a quick lesson in Hinduism and learned about the history of the temple itself! An excerpt from our interview is below. Raj : We adopt and respect every religion. Unlike many…

The best Middle Eastern dancer around!

This wonderful lady is the famous Ruby Jazayre! You may not know it, but she is a well-known and very talented Middle Eastern dancer that spends her free time teaching others about her passion for Middle Eastern dance, otherwise known as belly dance. I have included my favorite parts of our interview which includes her…