1234.

Get my shoes in.

Out the door.

Five.

I'm lost.

Six.

Seven.

Eight.

Feels great.

I'm gonna shine.

After I do what I'm gonna do.

I do it again.

Yeah.

Look at the sky with the beautiful color.

But never just for me.

You gotta share it with another.

I got to show, to give.

Let I want singing show.

Take a look and say a beautiful morning that turns into a beautiful evening.

And together make beautiful art.

And if you wanna see that, come along with me.

That's right.

Hey I'm Irish Dave and welcome to Experience Michiana.

On this week's show, Courtney is going to be at the zoo again.

This time we're going to be learning all about the Learning Center, which I know the zoo is back open.

I've been there twice already.

We're also going to be finding out about Idea Week that is coming to the South Bend and Elkhart area.

But first, I'm here at the Morris Performing Arts Center in downtown South Bend as we have a look at the original building behind me, which is absolutely beautiful.

But today we're going to be heading upstairs for the second annual South Bend Festival of Dance.

Inside the Rockland Murphy Encore Center.

Before we talk about the second annual Festival of Dance.

Doctor Curtis, this building.

Yes.

How amazing.

Yes, the back of the Murphy, of course, opened in January.

Yeah.

Just stunning.

My first time here.

It is absolutely beautiful.

I mean, it's just it's breathtaking.

It really is beautiful.

Congratulations to everybody involved with this.

And it a great view of the river.

We do.

Yeah.

A lovely view outside here as well.

And so it must be such a joy to have this here.

And I know that you're looking forward to June to the second annual Festival of Dance.

Can you tell me a little bit about last year and why this all began?

As last year we decided to celebrate the anniversary of Southall Dance Theater.

They were 50 years old last year.

So Sarah Taylor and I talked about putting together a program to help celebrate and inviting other dance companies to come to help that.

So we put together a program where every dance company got to be on the stage for ten minutes.

They got 20 minutes.

And so it was eight dance companies, almost 100 people total.

And you had different kinds of dance, ballet at least, and, tap, flamenco, African.

And it was just a variety program.

And so they came in on that morning Saturday morning, rehearsed, and then came back that night and performed.

Why was it important for you to to bring dance like that?

I mean, if you could have just done this once, one time for the 50th anniversary and then left it.

But why did you feel like carrying it on?

Well, there's a lot of dance companies in this town, and part of my job with equity and the arts is to bring people to the stage.

Most people come to the Morris, the sit in the audience, and for a performer to sit on that stage is very important.

Yeah.

And so, I invited two people last year, Eric being and Willie Hinton, who are both dancers to come and watch.

And they came, got excited, so we decided to invite them back.

We got a grant for Willie and he will be here as, I guess, choreographer.

Nice.

So it's something you're hoping really continues on?

Yes.

Yep.

Ruby, I'm slightly frightened by you.

You're.

I'm frightened by my wife and you now as well, because you're holding a sword.

So what's what?

What kind of dance is this?

Frightened men dance.

Or what's.

And it keeps us in control.

Look at the way she's gripping onto that thing.

He's leaning back.

We are doing Middle Eastern dance.

The style.

Mainly Egyptian style And we did two performances that used props last year.

We used skirts and we used the beautiful, beautiful silk veils.

This year we're going to dance with our sword, our swords, and these are, three and a half pound swords that are made for balancing.

That has a sharp point, but nothing else is sharp.

But we give the illusion that all of this is sharp, and we balance this on different parts of our shoulder, our head, and dance and move and do all of our undulations with this.

So we're going to use this in the show, and we're also going to do a candle dance.

And these are votive holders.

And we will have lights in here that we will dance with and do some pharaonic movement which is of the pharaohs and it's, ritual type dance.

That we have about 15 dancers doing this.

It's going to be quite unique and exciting to see.

Both dancers will be.

It'll be the hottest dance of the night.

Yes.

Right.

I don't know about that.

I think they'll be.

I think we all equally dance really well and put on an amazing exhibition.

Oh, yeah.

And, Doctor Curtis, this is happening in June this year.

Is that when it happened last year as well?

Yes.

Yeah, it happens on June 6th.

Okay.

Seven, 7:00 in the most performing arts center.

Free admission.

It is free admission.

Admission.

And so this is the main festival that's happening in June.

But I know that you also have another event coming up soon.

Yes.

That's, kind of like a little taste of what's going to be coming up.

Can you tell me about that as well?

So on Thursday, April 16th, it's at 6:00.

We'll it will be heavily hinted.

Who is a dancer from North Carolina will be in this room with anybody that wants to come.

And he's going to do an hour and a half movement class.

Wow.

So the only requirement is that you come in your socks and no jewelry and a bit of bottled water.

Okay.

Well, that's a pretty solid checklist for for dancing.

So you mentioned that it's free, which is absolutely amazing.

And it kind of fits in line with the spirit of trying to get as many people on stage who may not have an opportunity otherwise, but also getting people in here who may not also have the opportunity to come as well.

And it's important that they experience this.

Yes.

This is a spectacular place.

Spectacular view.

Yeah.

And to dance towards the river.

Hopefully it'll be like this next week, you know.

Yeah, we hope so.

It's been so nice lately and it is free.

But can people get tickets online in advance?

Actually, are those tickets have to show up at the door downstairs?

Yeah.

Or you can go to the website.

South Bend, things are supposed to be.

Yeah.

Dot org.

Yeah.

Okay.

And this is, there's a, you can register there.

You can register, but, it's a free visit, and you can just show up with your socks and your water clothing, your water and no jewelry.

And Ogilvie Staples was no jewelry and.

And Ruby with your dance.

It's very Egyptian.

Your.

Is that where your your heritage is from your family?

No, I was born.

Raised here.

No, I married you were born here, but just and but my background is actually Russian.

Oh it is.

And so how did you get into this style of dancing?

Oh, I just got involved with it at the YWCA back in the 80s.

And, there was a class there that I took and just fell in love with it and have been doing it ever since.

Being in the right place at the right time helped.

And so in terms of dance in this area, what else do you do throughout the year?

Is is this one of your main things?

This is one of my main things.

I'm retired from ISP.

That's where I met Doctor Curtis.

Teaching Middle Eastern dance for 22 years there.

And I'm still teaching classes, locally and, on a couple nights a week.

And I don't think I will ever stop until I'm stuck.

Okay, now the checklist for what's coming up on April 16th was water.

No jewelry and socks.

Do you have to bring your own sword if you're going to get some lessons from you?

Yes you do.

Okay.

I don't have a sword.

And I know that we have some artists who are here as well, besides Ruby and some of the instructors that we're going to talk to about what's going to be happening on April 16th as well.

And just, you know, dance is one of those things that, you know, I feel like I have two left feet, you know, but it's I don't know, it's feel nervous to get into it, you know.

But but once you do it you feel so good.

Come on a 16th.

Yeah.

That's what I should do.

All right.

Well the 16th and then June 6th we have all that coming up.

And it sounds so exciting, but we're going to speak to some of the performers there as well about what's happening on April 16th.

So thank you so much for your thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm here with Carolyn and Brian, who are two of the performers in the second annual Festival of Dance that's coming up.

Carolyn, tell me about La Rosa.

Your your dance theater.

Yes, we are a Spanish flamenco dance company.

La Rosa Spanish Dance Theater.

And we do a lot of variety of Spanish dancing.

And, my husband, Brian Edington, composes and plays flamenco music for a group.

Nice.

How did you get into this?

I mean, it's I was one of those things where, you know, today you're the director.

How did that happen?

What did you always have a love for this music?

Yes.

My mother was a professional dancer in Chicago before I was born.

So she would dance around the house, and I was her little shadow, and she would have so much fun.

I just grew up with it.

This was just something I wanted to do the rest of my life.

Brian, do you love it or are you forced to do it because your wife asked you to do it?

Was forced.

You gotta get away.

All right.

I've been playing guitar for half a century now, and I, I've been through all kinds of styles, and, I when I, flamenco is, like, the highest form of guitar, I think.

Wow.

And so has it been the most challenging?

Yes.

The master.

Yes.

And so I know that coming up on April 16th, we have this event that's coming up where people can come in and kind of learn to dance, and you're going to be part of that, right?

Yes.

I have two, flamenco dancers, and I wondered if that would work out because we make a lot of noise.

And, Lele said, oh, bring them in.

He said, yes, let's do it.

So he wants us to bring our individual, experiences into what he's doing.

And I know, I know that.

Then in June, you're going to be performing at the festival as well.

So, so great.

So there's lots of opportunities for people on April 16th and then also on June 6th at the actual festival.

So we're going to finish up right now.

But I know that we're going to finish up the show with a special performance of you both.

So are you feeling good about this?

Oh, yes.

We're ready.

Can you tell me what it is that you're going to perform?

Is there name to it?

Well, my husband composed the music.

It's called Spanish rumba, and the rumble that we do in flamenco is very different than the Roomba that you see on the dance floor.

So I'll give a little demonstrat We're indoors, but we're still at Potawatomi Zoo.

There's so much to explore here.

Things continue to grow.

And I have my friend Josh with me showing us a little bit of inside.

Now, I've watched this grow over the years.

One of the things that I especially love is that the animals can actually have access to the outdoor elements.

Yeah.

So this this is our work center.

This was built in the 70s.

So it was a little dating app.

So all the animals were inside.

So there wasn't a lot of UV light and sound.

So with these masks it's really important for them to get that.

So one of the first things we want to do in the last couple of years, to be able to get this outdoor access.

So in the summertime they can go outside every day whenever we sell a slot.

I think he was just out there.

He went out.

This gives him an opportunity to get out on the side at Golden Lion, to get that sign and able to just turn as cold as can be.

So it's really good.

Yeah.

And they get to be in a different area.

They do.

So that's this is one of my I always say that's my favorite.

But this is my favorite because it is so ever changing.

I feel like anytime you come to the zoo it's something different.

It sure have marmosets here and tamarins here and there.

And then the next time you come in, maybe all spaced around.

So we're always moving species around and checking and what goes into those kinds of decisions does it based on, you know, the the population of the animal?

Yes.

We talk about zoos all the time that we're all these animals are part of breeding program.

So we may get a call if there's some rare monkey that's really needing some help.

We're we're supposed to be getting these tamarins and called, hi, Cameroons.

They actually are kind of a different nation, and we we haven't even got them yet.

It's like little old them.

Yeah, but they're one of the most endangered species of Cameroon.

So we're going to go out soon.

So we might be able to move marmosets monkeys.

Okay.

With the high temperatures down here if that doesn't work and they're not getting along and I get the idea because we're always kind of experimenting on different species.

It tells us about that from a veterinarian perspective, because a lot goes into that and you guys are really like, I know I'm watching.

Yeah.

Just someone actually down here right now, she's one of our two keepers.

They're taken care of this morning.

But yeah, because, you know, not every animal can just go together.

We know certain species.

So we just through trial and error and just talking to other zoos.

That's great about the connection.

We have other accredited zoos.

We know what species can maybe mix with these Saki monkeys or which species can be the slot.

So it's not like we're just doing it for the first time and just seeing if it works out right now, having that abandoned mongoose maintenance, you can't put it in there.

Oh, good to know.

They would be very aggressive.

I say good to know.

Like I'm going to bring it to my house.

I'm not doing so just, you know, never put anything with banded mongoose.

Okay.

Now you know what you and let's talk about the conservation efforts for this.

Yeah.

So I going to all the animals in the zoo were part of a breeding program.

You know, bias.

All the animals are really about sustainability.

We want to make sure that the population is not only are going to be in the wild, but here in zoos within 30, 40 years.

So we had to work with population biologists.

It's a it's there's a whole science to it.

And knowing to which animals we should have, should we send this male out to we send this female to another sample from reading.

So there's a lot of science that goes into absolutely.

And speaking of science, let's go over to this area because, I mean, this is kind of the creepy crawlers, like the cockroaches have always been a family favorite for us, right?

I mean, you either love this area.

Oh, look at each one of.

Yeah, that's a million there.

He's pretty cool.

But yeah, this is, you know, some people can't even come in here because this is where we have the reptiles and snakes.

But the kids love it.

We always.

We've got the big red tail boa in here.

We got some auditors.

It's just it's great because it does give you a different perspective .

and teaches kids that I. It's funny how I'll start with a kid and they won't even touch the snake.

And by the end of that.

Yeah, they're already heading.

It's just changes are obvious.

Oh my gosh.

All right.

Let's keep walking over here because it's even more now a spot a turtle.

This is really you can find one of these in your backyard.

You can.

So we also take so these are actually confiscated the DNR the Department of Natural Resources bought these to us because they couldn't they were someone was trying to keep them as pets.

And it's illegal to have them as a pet.

So, so again, it gives us an opportunity to tell their story.

And this is a turtle that you can see in your backyard.

And so it's not everything's from like some crazy across the ocean.

Yeah.

We got stuff just right here in our backyard.

And it's important for us to talk about those.

Sorry.

Let's keep walking down here because I know there's even more.

There's one of the snakes.

Is that a snake?

Yeah, that's a man.

Is there?

Oh, yeah.

I remember the big yellow boa that you see here, but he's actually one of the keepers.

Okay, we have to real dragon.

Look at them.

So be real dragons.

They've been inspired by a lot of the dinosaur movies.

They have that kind of back real around their head.

So, yes, like a Jurassic park.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

I was wondering when I was a kid and I'm like, now how does this go?

Like, how do you, how do you feed them?

So he's watching this now.

But so the keepers got tongs and he's just giving up.

You can see there's low calcium.

There's some white powder on the worms.

Okay.

So they're getting their vitamins, too.

And then he's hungry.

Yeah.

And I know everything behind the door.

We're seeing this, you know, from.

Yeah.

This is this perspective.

Consider that was because, I mean, we didn't even know this was happening.

And you just, you know, the kids can walk through here and see something like this, maybe a keeper feeding an animal or cleaning an exhibit or being able to just ask questions and learn about them.

So and it's there's always something happening in here, I love that.

I know you guys have other stuff that's going on here too.

This is the learning center that we're at, which is great, especially for a rainy day like today, that you could come out and have me here and you probably spent quite some time in here as well.

You can, you can, but yeah, you saw as we were wanted to zero seemed illuminate is coming.

Yes I do, I do illuminate lights everywhere.

That's our Chinese lantern festival.

Yes.

All huge animals and lights.

And it's going to be pretty amazing.

And I know we talked a little bit about it last week, but this theme is a little bit different than last year.

So if you came last year it's going to be entirely different.

We haven't seen a single one that's like last year.

So it's called the Sea to to believe.

So it's all underwater ocean.

So it's fish and sea turtles and crabs and jellyfish and all kinds of things.

Do you guys have any, anything that would maybe belong in that category here a little bit?

People ask all the time if we're ever going to be an aquarium.

Yeah.

Problem with that is it's very expensive to run an aquarium.

You've got to have a specialist marketing program.

So it's hard to have just like one tank.

So you need to get a vehicle, an aquarium and be able to hire an aquarium test and be able to do all that.

It's just very hard to hire someone for two tanks, sir, I guess so, I think.

Yeah.

So we try to keep it.

So we do have water, things like the axolotl and you know, as we grow some fresh wild stuff.

But you know when you start getting into caves and salt water quality system, you really need a professional that knows how to care for that.

Yeah.

So until we're ready to really do it right and have a lot of that stuff, let's say maybe about a second, I want to give a kudos to your staff.

Do you want to talk about them for a minute?

Because they're just phenomenal and really care for the animals?

Yeah, just a whole team just all around you from guest experience to maintenance.

And I think about our maintenance and how much they do in-house for the animals.

But but yeah, our keepers, we have 17 zookeepers.

These areas are broke up.

So you know that there may be one keeper that's just a reptile and one that's just in time for the monkeys.

And they're kind of specialist within their area, but they are the eyes on the animals.

They're caring, giving, enrichment, doing training.

They have an important role.

And it's it's how we're able to do what we know.

I know I've been to the zoo sometimes before where we've helped to make enrichment items.

You guys going to be doing anything like that?

Yeah, we can do that.

Our classes that you can sign up to make enrichment that will help you out.

There's just so many things.

Yeah, it's a lot of fun.

It is.

Now let's talk about the classes because they happen here at the Learning Center.

We do.

Yes.

We have a classroom here.

We have one up in the red barn.

Like our pants.

We'll start down here.

We got to go online.

You can see all of our different classes.

We have available.

So what's it?

Educational I think last year offered 60,000 people between programs are now.

Yes.

It's it's been pretty amazing.

And I know you guys go out with animals.

We never you know.

Yeah.

That's a real special program.

We can go out to nursing homes and schools.

It's all education base.

We don't we don't really go out for like privileged to be at an attraction.

But it's like a good education based at that situation.

So what are the animals that are going to be traveling this year?

Oh gosh, we got slots.

We got to man the way we got yeah yeah a lot that goes out.

Birds of prey sort of a hawk in and out of snakes and reptiles.

We, we have quite a variety of skunk, all kinds of stuff that goes out in this.

Great to be able to talk about why those are important for our entire world.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I mean, I guess people just the different perspective you get up house and learn let's say about.

But we know you want to treat them that like, you know, they're not.

And they actually eat insects in your backyard.

Yeah.

They have an important role.

So it's just a different perspective.

Awesome, awesome.

All right.

Well thank you for showing us a little bit around the Learning Center.

I always say like if you want a zoo pass, you can spend one day here just in the learning center.

The next day come back and do another section.

There's so much you can just come and go and see you.

And we're officially open for business.

Officially open for business.

All right, I will.

Come on out.

We'll see you.

I thought a lot of these.

I'm here at Momentum in South Bend, which is a co-working space, and I'm here with Marty, who's from start up South Bend, Elkhart.

But we're here to talk about Idea Week, which we spoke last year, which was online when we spoke.

But Idea Week is just continues to grow and grow.

So tell me a little bit about startup South Bend, Elkhart and the sponsorship behind Idea Week.

And what's the relationship there.

Yeah sure thing.

So up South Bend, Elkhart is an initiative of the South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership.

Last year was the first year we've been partners with Notre Dame and Idea Week since its inception in 2017.

Last year was the first year that we took it over from my from Notre Dame.

They remained our prime sponsor for it and a big inspiration behind what we do.

But now it is fully organized and executed by South Bend, South America Regional Partnership or Startup South and Elkhart.

And so for anyone that was about to say give people an idea of what it is, but no pun intended, but for anyone watching, you know, they might see it, they might see it being advertised.

They might think, no idea really what it is, but can you just explain exactly what's going on for Idea week?

Yeah.

Yeah, absolutely.

It's it's a festival, really, of innovation and entrepreneurship, mixed in with arts, culture, music, networking, heavy networking.

We're really a big part of it is culture building around entrepreneurship and innovation for the region.

Right?

Like, you can build something here or you can start a business here.

You can scale something here.

There's other interested people.

There's folks who are willing to invest in what you're doing.

So we built Idea Week out as a chance to really, like, connect through networking.

There's a lot of fantastic content, so you can learn things both very technical, practical things and also more inspirational things.

And then we also have fun because we integrate dinner parties and we have after hours events, happy hours, like lots and lots of chances to network and meet other people.

Because not everything about entrepreneurship is about losing your mind.

You also have to have fun at the same time, right?

So 1,000% a lot of entrepreneurs feel isolated, right?

It can be kind of a lonely road, and it's nice to take a break once a year, you know, or at least for idea.

We can really get out there and meet other folks.

I keep on reading these articles that talk about South Bend is booming and building, and even there was a great article by Apple News where they talked about like, one of the best places to live now, and this a place to retire and but also come and start a business, all these things going on.

What is it about this area that is so appealing to people that want to come here?

Because to people that live here, they might think, yeah, you know, but what is it that is attracting people?

I mean, you've got the obvious things around quality of life and quality of place, right?

Like affordability, great assets in the region.

I think the less tangible thing is the level of connection that we experience here.

You meet people, you know, people.

You're going to find someone who's interested in your idea.

And if you don't know somebody, somebody you know will know somebody.

So there's a really fantastic network of folks who want to see the region thrive.

And through that, want to see your business idea thrive.

And that's something really special that you can't get as easily in a bigger city, where people are more siloed and a little more isolated.

That makes sense.

And then obviously, you talk about Notre Dame being the main sponsor still to this day.

And they started Idea Week.

There's also obviously a lot of innovation at Notre Dame.

Is that still a big draw for people to having the college here and all of the talent that comes out?

Absolutely.

I mean, we we're blessed with many higher eds in the region.

It's really which is fantastic.

Obviously, we're extra, extra special to have an R1 university, Notre Dame right up here in the region, along with Purdue and IU.

Right.

So we have a premier world class global institution right in our backyard, which not every region can say.

And that's a huge, huge asset.

Absolutely.

And when it comes to Idea Week, like what are some of the highlights for people watching the think, okay, maybe I will go along.

Maybe I will attend some of the classes or some of the different programs that are happening.

What are some of the highlights that you know you're most excited about?

It's hard not to just run through the entire the entire itinerary.

Have and will remember.

Yeah, I mean, Monday we're doing the launch party.

That's really just a networking event that'll be right here at Momentum Tuesday.

Unlike last year, we're spending an entire day in Elkhart.

So Tuesday, we're doing a flip flop session morning focusing on manufacturing innovations in manufacturing afternoon, going downtown and doing a focus session on creative entrepreneurs.

So the artists, musicians and their impact on the economy.

We'll have music that night, dinner parties that night in Elkhart, and then we go real tactical on Wednesday with, full day of workshops, at the Community Learning Center of the public library right here, downtown South Bend.

Really tactical hands on things followed up with dinner parties and more music that evening.

And then finally on Thursday is our inspirational day, where we go back to South Bend State Church and we've got the panels, we've got the high level speakers.

Really want folks to walk away thinking like, oh, that's a cool story.

Or like, I didn't think that.

And I think I can probably do that too.

Do weeks like idea week that happened here or are they like, is it rare to have a week like this that's so focused or is it pretty prevalent across the US and different.

It is absolutely unusual.

And we're very fortunate to have something like this in our region.

I think across the entire state of Indiana.

This is probably one of the premier events around entrepreneurship and innovation.

And really even in the Midwest, there are a handful of other festivals that cover this topic.

But we're really, really lucky to have something so focused here and so full of amazing content and fun.

I find, as someone who started my own business, some of the hardest things are the most practical things, like even health insurance, right?

There's there's things around that I wish it was more focus on.

I almost feel like that's a block, like there's there's just run of the mill things that you take for granted when you're an employee.

I feel like more entrepreneurship would happen if access to some of the needs like that were a little bit easier, more affordable.

Yeah.

No, you're absolutely right.

I mean, health care is a major problem.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to solve yet.

At least not with idea week.

Yeah.

But I think the idea is to be more successful and just pay a boatload.

Right, right right right, right.

But you're right, though, about the the mix between the practical side of things, like the nuts and bolts side of things of running a business, and then the kind of the more forward thinking, leading, leading edge things.

I think it just stopped so many people from getting into entrepreneurship that have great ideas, because, again, it's just the access to benefits and things like that, which again, I know there's no easy thing and I know that's not to be solved by you.

You know, putting on idea week.

But I do think, culturally we could do more to encourage entrepreneurship if we're able to tackle some.

Yeah, it's a scary thing.

And people risk a lot starting a business.

Right?

Sometimes you're putting your own house on the line.

You're putting your own assets on the line.

Yeah.

It can be very scary for people.

I think that's why our region does have that advantage of that connectivity.

So like you're not alone out there doing this.

You're going to meet other folks who support what you're doing.

I think the scariest thing is not going for it, you know?

Yeah.

And so for people watching that might want to go along.

Can they sign up for individual events or they have to sign up for the whole week or how does that work.

Yeah.

So the way we have it set up is you can buy an all access pass.

That's for the entire week, all the events of the entire week, all the sessions, including the two concerts that are happening Friday night, which are paid entry concerts.

Yeah.

One's a hip hop one.

One's a country act.

If you don't want to do the whole week, you can buy a day pass on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, which is then also included the launch party on Monday night.

So you can always go to the launch party and then you can get the content on those three days, depending on which day works best for you.

Nice.

I'm where do people go to get those?

W-w-what idea?

Wycombe.

It's pretty straightforward.

Right there.

And you get on the website, you can see the agenda and you can register right there.

Nice.

Great.

Thank you so much and best of luck with it.

Yeah.

Thanks.

So that is it.

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