Almost two decades later, after leaving and returning to Green Bay, she came to a realization: “I went to an event where I saw Hmong children dancing, and I thought, ‘You know, I’ve always wanted to do that.’” In 2002, she received a grant from the UW System to start the Nia (a Kwanzaa principle meaning “purpose”) African/African-American Dance Group.

In addition to practicing each week and performing at community events, Cole’s group teaches public school children, many who are not of African descent, about African culture. The children are then invited to perform at UW-Green Bay’s annual Kwanzaa celebration. “Do you know what that does?” Cole asks rhetorically. “It brings their parents. It brings their white parents who may not come to that event.”

Cole knew she was onto something after the first Nia rehearsal when more than 50 people came to dance, and years later, she has seen the effects. “Our community has been enriched by this because we can showcase Green Bay … having many cultures,” she says.

Dancing with eyes wide open

Bangor, Wis., native Megan Wegner, a former student of Lown’s, now teaches on the staff of the convention where she first encountered African dance. The African class, Wegner says, is the “highlight of the convention weekend,” giving people from many different cultures and backgrounds the chance to participate in a lesser-known form of dance training.

“There is such a passion behind the movement. Many cultures have meaning behind every move they make,” Wegner says. “Any chance to experience another culture's way of life is an eye-opening experience that … makes people able to relate to them on a level that they didn't before.”

Other weekend multicultural events in Wisconsin include festivals lesser known than Oktoberfest and Syttende Mai, such as the Hmong New Year and Greek Fest. They are far from rare and bring unity to Wisconsin’s increasingly diverse communities. Not surprisingly, they often include dance.

The La Crosse Hmong New Year celebration lasts two full days in October and features soccer tournaments, foot-long sausages and sticky rice, intricately pleated dresses adorned with silver coins and embroidery, and a completely scheduled stage for song and dance performances.

According to Gina Yang, who directs a Hmong dance group in La Crosse, Wis., Hmong dance was first performed at the 1974 New Year celebration in Long Cheng, Laos. It was the last of such celebrations in the major Hmong metropolis before the Communists took over, forcing Hmong to flee to refugee camps in Thailand. Since that time, dance has been a consistent and meaningful part of Hmong New Year celebrations, which help the Hmong introduce their culture to their communities.

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