Opening minds

Yesterday, the Fourth Annual Diverse Abilities Conference was held in the third-floor ballroom of Smith Memorial Student Union.

The featured DanceAbility performance was from the Joint Forces Dance Company, based out of Eugene.

The two featured dancers were Alito Alessi, who founded Joint Forces in 1987, and Emery Blackwell.

Joint Forces will also be performing this Saturday at 4:15 p.m. in the Peter Stott Center. Prior to the performance, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., there will be a DanceAbilities workshop for anyone who wishes to participate. Cost of the workshop ranges from $15 to $25, but the performance is free.

For more information about DanceAbility classes in Portland or about future Diverse Abilities conferences, contact the Portland State Students with Disabilities Union at 503-725-5664.

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