Dance Performers Continue Stepping In The Right Direction

AcceptDance found acceptance.

SWC'S dance crews regained their step during a sold-out show at the Mayan Hall and celebrated the college's diversity with a line-up of rich cultural variety.

Starting things mellow was "Unconditional," a ballet combined with modern dance. This piece was a sensual love story, with male and female dancers moving alongside one another with great expression.
"A Salute to our Troops" was a rowdy hip-hop counterpoint. Clapping, stomping, jumping and yelling melded in this militaristic mélange.

A battle of the sexes played out showing that women could be macho too. For their climax the dance merged into one, an army of combatants strong and cool.

Melaney Lynch was behind the choreography of this hip-hop inspired dance. She also contributed to the music and danced. Michael Peji was outstanding in this piece, expressive and vibrant.

A saucy Spanish café danced to life in "Café Caliente." Women dancers wore beautiful bright red silk dresses with pitch black ribbons on their waists, while the guys wore red shirts, black pants and black shoes. Latin flavor was on the menu. One girl even lost her heel while kicking up some picante.

In "Café Caliente" dancers were paired up and each pair brought a different flavor to the number. Their hand and body movements were synchronized, spicy and yet charming. Nathalie Romero and Richard Juarez who choreographed crowd favorites as a pair. While dancing they had a lot of chemistry expressed through their eyes and moves.

Tap met hip-hop in the brilliant "What You Could Be," a clever hybrid of dance forms generating apart. Creep and compelling, "Apocalyptus" was a life and death struggle. Dancers were painted like hunters and prey. Loud music, dim lights and a dark background contributed to the wild feel. In a blink night fell and glow-in-the-dark bracelets were the only sign of life, sweeping away the earth-bound for the spirit world.

Video games got a plug in "The Final Level." Dancers moved in slow motion to create a robotic vibe. Costumes evoked the Mario Brothers video game, with bright red, blue and green shirts running wild.

A highlight was "Shabiba," an ensemble belly-dance piece performed with live drumming. Dancers were outfitted in intense orange costumes with floral patterned skirts, gold sequined-covered tops and wide headbands detailed with an orange flower. Huge smiles were swept across the faces of the dancers and big silver wings of fabric fluttered from their arms. Shaking, body rolling and delicate hand movements had the audience rapt. It was a striking dance that exhibited extraordinary talent.

This brilliant piece was choreographed and danced by Ana Ascensio, Anali Gonzales, Nathalie Romero and Nicole Santa. These four women were spectacular and captured the audience full attention with their exotic dance movements and illuminating costumes. Drums were played by Agustin Zamudio and Agustin Zamudio Jr. The live drumming brought the piece more to life and as each drum was hit that dancers would increase their dance piece and emphasize their moves even more.

Lady Gaga was the voice behind "Couture Culture," the crowd favorite. Dancers slowly came to life and built into a dynamic and fierce whirl of anger and beauty. Marie Antoinette-themed suits and big white wigs draped the male dancers, their white powdered make-up and rosy cheeks added the final touch. Suave and charming, "Couture Culture" was the hit of the evening.

AcceptDance had compelling music, great lighting and beautiful costumes. Choreography was clever and well executed.

AcceptDance was one of those inspiring performances that SWC's performing arts programs have become known for. Creative, athletic and cool, Southwestern's dancers were in step and outstanding.