A tribute to the Sept. 11 attacks will be expressed through movement as part of the “Celebrating the Human Spirit” day at the Memorial Union on Wednesday.

In the Sun Room at 11 a.m., students will convey their feelings through dance.

Janice Baker, assistant professor of dance, says the performance will show dance classes’ support for Americans lost in the terror attacks.

“The choreographic intent is to demonstrate the many facets of American spirit in response to Sept. 11,” Baker says.

Courtney McClimon, senior in apparel merchandising and student in Baker’s Dance 385 class, says she’s happy for the chance to participate in the event.

“It is a different form of expression than just talking about the attacks,” McClimon says.

Several of Baker’s dance classes will participate in the event, as well as the ISU dance tour group and members of Orchesis II.

“There is going to be a nice variety of dancers, and the performance is going to have a nice variety of content,” says Amy Martin, dance lecturer.

The performance will consist of dancing to music and text, Baker says. Texts such as the words on the base of the Statue of Liberty and speeches by Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter and Chief Seattle will be read aloud and the dancers will move to the words.

“The text readings will have more improvisational movement, rather than set choreography,” McClimon says.

One aspect of the text readings involves dancers using stretchy material as a communicative prop, Baker says.

“This prop in the dance will demonstrate the struggle of Americans,” she says. “It will give the connection of personal and societal freedoms.”

Many pieces will be from “Let Freedom Swing,” a program performed by dancers this summer at a multicultural powwow and the Iowa State Fair, Baker says.

“It is a collaborative effort of many groups to show gratitude to the lives lost in the attacks,” she says.

Baker thought of “Let Freedom Swing” back in January. The show includes many aspects of American dance for many populations and involves streamers of red, white and blue, as well as hoe-down and swing dances.

“The hoe-down displays the traditional contra, polka and jig style,” Baker says. “The swing portion demonstrates signature big- band music and exemplifies how American energy is robust with consumption of life.”

“Janice came up with the structure for `Let Freedom Swing,’ but the dancers have the freedom to choreograph their movements themselves,” Martin says. “The dance has boundaries with freedom to roam, much like America has.”

All the dances have American roots, even the improvisational movements, she says.

“Improv comes from modern dance and modern is considered an American form,” Martin says. “However, it is more of a melting pot because it has influence from all over the world.”

Martin says she hopes the audience will join in and enjoy the performance.

“It is a celebration of America and unity,” Martin says. “Dance brings people together and hopefully we can bring people together to show that unity.”