Overflowing with excitement, the Danforth University Center echoed with cheers as student dance groups took turns showcasing their talent and teamwork, each vying to captivate the audience’s hearts and claim the spotlight as their own.

On Friday, April 5, WUSauce, WashU’s performance salsa dance team, hosted their annual Dance Off at the DUC. The experience mixed all types of cultural and modern styles of dance from a variety of student dance groups. Performances featured WUSauce, WashU Bhangra, WUFuego, WashU Raas, and WUHHU(Washington University Hip-Hop Union). Participants in Carnaval’s 25th Cultural Show, Añoranza, also returned to perform, including Carnaval Merengue, Salsa, and Bomba. Saint Louis University (SLU) also brought in some fiery competition, bringing their Xquizit (hip-hop) and Sazón teams to the mix.

WuSauce kicked off the performances, starting off the show with a bang. The host group dazzled the audience in glittery blue outfits, showcasing technique and difficult maneuvers, establishing  a mood charged with excitement for the dances to follow. 

Carnaval Merengue followed WUSauce, making their return from their Añoranza performances with a fresh take on the dance form originating from the Dominican Republic. An easier dance to pick up, Merengue is both accessible and dynamic, serving as a wonderful catalyst for building community through dance. Speeding up the pace, the dancers kept the dance battle’s energy up to the rapid tempo of “Mujeriego” by Ryan Castro.

WashU Bhangra performed next, wearing colorful vests and wowing the audience with an undeniable vibrance. They showed off perfect synchronization among both modern, thumpy beats and traditional rhythms. With every leap and kick, Bhangra displayed the evolution of this Punjabi dance with joyful delivery.

Next came Xquisit, visiting from SLU, their numerous members filling up the stage with hues of neon. The hip-hop crew left it all on the stage, bringing expressive movements and intensity to the spotlight. Winning on catchiness, lyrics from Ice Spice and Cardi B complimented the confidence exuded onstage.

Throughout the show, MCs Natalia León Díaz and Loucas Xenakis cracked fire and ice-themed jokes, lightening the mood as the next group prepared to perform.

It was then WUFuego’s turn to bring the heat. The Latin dance team, known for both performance and social dance, partnered up and captured the audience with seamless alignment, twisting and entwining without missing a beat. Living up to the name of the song, WuFuego brought in fiery competition, dancing to “Estamos En Competencia,” by La Maxima 79.

The hosts, WUSauce, then returned for another performance before teaching basic salsa line drills to a few brave volunteers from the audience. To show off their new skills, the volunteers then competed in a dance battle, shocking the audience with how well they could flow between their partners and use techniques from the drills they just learned.

Carnaval Salsa was next, adding their own Central American twist to the salsa dance style, to the song “Como Lo Hacen” by Frankie Ruiz. Energetic as ever, the group set the bar high for the next half of the show. Bursting onto the stage after them in bright red attire, WashU RAAS electrified with crisp execution and bold gestures. Their celebratory style of dance dominated with sheer speed and lightning-fast hand movements, leaving the audience roaring with admiration. 

Showcasing  an unforgettable combination of drums and dance, Carnaval Bomba then took the stage. Historically originating from Puerto Rico, Bomba is a timeless dance that expresses resistance in an era of colonialism. Multicolored flowy skirts moved gracefully as dancers engaged in lively call-and response interactions with the percussionists, honoring culture in the most enjoyable way.

Entering after was Sazón, SLU’s acrobatic salsa team, whose performance lived up to their title. Each of their maneuvers were delivered with precision and flair, eliciting even more excitement from the audience. 

WUHHU, WashU’s premier hip hop dance team, then fearlessly dominated the stage with strong techniques and coordination, as well as an unmistakably powerful stage presence. 

Towards the end of the event, in a heartwarming celebration of a community built through dance, the WUSauce Dance Off Chair Irene Yuan was recognized for putting the event together. The WUSauce seniors were also recognized for the time they gave and the many memories they shared with the WUSauce community. 

Finally, the moment of truth: the audience was told to use their voices to vote for the winner, and after a series of enthusiastic cheers, only two groups remained: WUHHU and Carnaval Bomba. 

In the end, it was the iconic duo of drums and colorful, dynamic movement that won the audience over, and Bomba took first place. Until next year, here’s to celebrating the diversity of talent and for always rooting for the dances we love.