For the broke cultural connoisseur, “And Now We Dance” was one of the best deals this side of free admission during the weekend. As a concert produced, choreographed, danced, designed, and operated by students, the intimate Dance Studio pulsed with the vigor of several months of hard work, as well as the jam-packed audience’s excitement at getting to sit on floor mats. Student-run productions, while often fun affairs, usually have their share of technical setbacks and artistic or aesthetic snafus, but this conglomerate’s highly professional performance was a great success due to its variety and the performers’ passion and connection to their work.
As the old saying goes, variety truly is the spice of life, and this concert had spice to spare as its dances touched upon themes of belonging, nonconformity, desire, and the joy of being alive. Difficult themes to work with, certainly, but these dancers managed to convey their attitudes and sentiments beautifully, with a running time under an hour and a half. Emily Scherb’s graceful use of a suspended ring in her piece “Against Stagnation,” is one example where form and theme meshed, making the dance much more than simply a girl, a ring, and lighting (expertly designed by Justin Wardell) on the stage. Paul Kozak’s heartbreaking choreography for “1/5-6/1” switched gears, and the dance’s ingenious use of sound effects aided the dancers’ movements about “the need to belong.” Such variety in only the first two pieces promised many more riches to come.
Needless to say, these crazy dance students know how to party on stage, and after laying down a dance floor (quite the entertainment in itself), they proved it with “Temptation Tango” and “Baila.” The storyline of “Temptation Tengo” was an oldie but a classic, as the mysterious other woman seduced men away from their partners, with unsuccessful results. The footwork was fabulous and the music magical; this dance seduced the audience as well and garnered much applause. The high level of energy continued into “Baila,” where tap and a Spanish tune combined for an explosive performance.
The essential importance of dance concerts, however, doesn’t lie in cool music, although this concert was the first (and probably the only) time Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tom Waits will be featured. It also doesn’t really lie in a dancer’s skill, although all the performers were extremely talented, from the tap of “Throw Me a Frickin’ Bone” to the elegance found in “One of Many Circles.” What really matters is investment, the kind of investment that gelled perfectly in the best performance of the evening, Mariko Kumanomido’s “Untitled.” Her solo succeeded not only because it was fresh and new, but because at one point, the girl completely let herself go. Ever had one of those nights where you danced in your room just because you were alive and happy? It was the most powerful part of the evening.
Washington University’s dance program contains some very talented students who really know how to dance their hearts out, as well as lay a wicked dance floor. Their evening of entertainment smacks of more great things to come from the department, and it reminds us of the intense joy that comes from all things artistic.