The Autorino Center for the Arts at the University of Saint Joseph Presents Amirah Sackett's AL QALB

The Autorino Center for the Arts at the University of Saint Joseph will present hip hop dancer-choreographer Amirah Sackett's world premiere performance Al Qalb on Friday, Apr. 12, 2019 at 7:30pm in the Hoffman Auditorium. In this groundbreaking event featuring local street dance professionals from Studio 860, Sackett will fuse hip hop moves, world music, and the poetry of Sufi mystic Rumi.

This performance is a Pay-It-Forward event. Pay-it-Forward performances are free of charge, made possible by prior gifts of generosity. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Frances Driscoll Box Office, via telephone at (860) 231-5555 or online at autorino.usj.edu.

Al Qalb, meaning "the heart" in Arabic, is a brand-new hip-hop movement piece from Amirah Sackett inspired by the poetry of Rumi, a 13th-century Persian Sufi mystic. His poems have been lauded for their deeply philosophical, joyous spirituality. True to the wandering, inquisitive nature of Rumi's poetry, Al Qalb takes a fresh look at the ever-changing nature of the heart and humanity's search for the divine. Al Qalb features top dancers from Studio 860, Hartford's leading hip-hop dance training facility. The event is followed by a panel and discussion to focus on arts, spirituality and Islam; included in the panel are USJ Professor of Political Science Kenneth Long, Professor of Dance Susan Murphy, Imam Kashif from the Islamic Center of Greater Hartford, Karim Ahmed, Rumi Scholar and USJ Director of Ministry Lynette Colon.

Amirah Sackett is an internationally-recognized hip-hop dancer, choreographer, and teacher who blends hip-hop movement and elements of Islamic culture to reflect her Muslim-American identity. From being trained in classical ballet and studying modern dance at the University of Minnesota, Amirah has become known for not only her elaborate choreography, but also her use of dance as a tool for social critique. The 2011 work of her We're Muslim, Don't Panic ensemble went viral for its eye-opening union of breakdance and Muslim femininity after being featured on outlets including The Huffington Post. Based in Chicago, Amirah has performed nationwide, spoken at Harvard University, curated dance events in Minneapolis, and taught dancers around the country. She has also been a cultural diplomat with the U.S. State Department in Bangladesh and Malaysia.

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) offers a wide range of coeducational undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that combine a professional and liberal arts education with opportunities for mentored research, community service, clinical field work, and internships. Programs are taught on the University's two campuses in West Hartford and Hartford, Connecticut; at off-campus locations throughout the state; and online. Founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Mercy, the University of Saint Joseph offers degrees with value and values.

To learn more, view our website at www.usj.edu.

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