For the past two decades, students and the community have gathered for the annual performance put on by Sacramento Black Art of Dance, also known as S/BAD.

The event began on Feb 27 and will go on until March 9 in Solano Hall room 1010.

Founded and directed by Theater and Dance Department Chair Linda Goodrich, S/BAD attracts spectators of all ages and pays tribute to the African culture, as it unifies those who have a love for performance and dance.

“Legacy” is the name of this year’s show and is a compilation of S/BAD’s history featuring past memories and performances. The eight dance pieces are a collaboration of different choreography including Goodrich’s work.

Through S/BAD, Goodrich carries on the traditional dance styles of social activist and American dancer Katherine Dunham, as she showcases modern concert dance, along with an African-Caribbean influence.

Goodrich said Dunham’s history as an inspirational leader has influenced her and the direction of the company.

“Anthropologist, educator, choreographer, entertainer, you name it, Ms. Dunham did it,” Goodrich said. “She created many ballets, had the first African-American concert dance company, and had her very own technique, which is the technique I teach. I feel like I’m carrying on her legacy, which is why we call the show ‘Legacy’.”

S/BAD welcomes dancers from all ages and backgrounds. The company practices seasonally rather than year round to prepare for the annual performance.

S/BAD performer Dominique Adams from Sierra College has been a part of the company for two years.

“It’s really what connects me to my African-American roots,” Adams said.  “I just love the family aspect that we have here.”

To go along with the dance aspect, this year the show also includes visual slides of the company’s past.

Communications major Ike Nzeadibe attended one of the performances this week and said he was able to relate to the performances.

“It was awesome. It was nice to get out and see something different, especially because it celebrated my roots,” Nzeadibe said.

After months of practice, apparel marketing design major Kai Stephens said she was excited to get on stage and perform.

“I’m always nervous before I perform but when I get on stage the nerves go away,” Stephens said. “I see the crowd and the people I’m performing with and they disappear. It’s an adrenaline rush.”

The company plans to continue to make this show a tradition in order to pay tribute to Dunham and the African-Caribbean styles that influences today’s popular music and dance.

The show, ‘Legacy’, will continue throughout this weekend. The next performance is tonight at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $12 general admission and $10 for Sac State students.

For more information on this weekend’s performance schedule, visit http://www.csus.edu/dram/season.html.