As agencies from abroad continue to provide food and water for the citizens of Haiti, complications and body counts continue to increase.

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Mama Yeye, a dancer, choreographer, playwright and teacher, will visit Michigan Tech on March 1-4 to present free hands-on workshops for Michigan Tech students and the community on African dance, Yoruba storytelling and Sekere drum building. Her visit begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 1 with “African Dance for Beginners” in McArdle Theatre. As Mama Yeye says, “Everyone loves the drums. Now learn how to move to the rhythm. Mama Yeye gives you the basics so you can move, dance, sing and enjoy yourself.” Raised in a Yoruba family in Philadelphia, Apetebii Yeye Olori Oriyomi – ”Mama Yeye”–takes her inspiration as an artist from the variety of ethnic rhythms, tastes, sounds and voices of the African diaspora that have been part of her life, ranging from West Philly to Nigeria, New Orleans, New York City, Jamaica and her new home base of Atlanta. She delights in teaching the arts of Africa because it is an opportunity to create positive change. She uplifts the Yoruba code of “Iwapele,” which means good character and has presented workshops for many colleges, universities and theatre conferences throughout the country. The events of her visit to Michigan Tech are open to all free of charge and are sponsored by the Visiting Women and Minority Scholar Series, Institutional Diversity and Visual & Performing Arts. More information is available from Patricia Helsel in Visual & Performing Arts at helsel@mtu.edu. Mama Yeye’s schedule is: *Sunday, March 1, 8 p.m.: African Dance for Beginners, McArdle Theatre. “Learn the basic fundamental skills to move your mind, body and spirit into polyrhythmic dances from the African diaspora.” *Monday, March 2, noon: Open Discussion, “Issues and Opportunities as an African-American Artist” in McArdle Theatre. *Monday, March 2, 7 p.m: Sekere Drum-Building. Participation in this workshop with Mama Yeye will be limited to the first 25 to sign up. Get free tickets from Visual & Performing Arts, 487-2067. *Tuesday, March 3, 4 p.m.: New Afro-Caribbean Dances. Don’t miss it! “Allow your mind and body to travel across the oceans through movement to places like Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti and Trinidad.” Held in the McArdle Theatre. *Wednesday, March 4, 10 a.m.: Yoruba Storytelling, Rozsa 120 (Choir Room). Join the FA3821 Modern Theatre History class session, open to all. *Wednesday, March 3-4, noon: African Dance for Everybody, McArdle Theatre. A final chance to join Mama Yeye to learn and enjoy African dance.