More than 200 students, faculty and other dance enthusiasts filled the Don Taft University Center’s Performance Theater on April 5 to watch Dance Concert — the last NSU Premier Series performance of the semester.
In 60 minutes and six dances, the extraordinary dancers gave a riveting performance, displaying excellent choreography and terrific range.
The Premier Series performances are shows fully produced by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. Each year, the series showcases diverse works in music, theatre and dance. Dance Concert showcased the NSU Dance Ensemble, along with guest artists.
The concert showcased a mix of cultural and ethnic themes, with modern music and futuristic beats. The richness of the music was reflected in the beauty of the choreography and its execution. The self-expression of the dancers was astounding, right down to what they communicated with their hands alone. Each piece conveyed a different emotion, from joy to fear and anger to sensuality.
The 30 dancers of the Dance Ensemble were choreographed by Chetachi Egwu, assistant professor in the Division of Humanities; Elana Lanczi, associate professor in the Division of Performing and Visual Arts; Augusto Soledade, assistant professor in the Division of Performing and Visual Arts; NSU alumna Amy Kolbenschlag and Miami-based contemporary flamenco artist Niurca Marquez.
The opening piece, “Gandaia”, was a rich tribal African dance choreographed by Soledade. Nine dancers moved with acrobatic precision, while dressed in beautiful African costumes that enhanced every move.
“Insert Emotion Here”, choreographed by Kolbenschlag, began with a single dancer, performing without any music or beat, jumping up and down so that the movement of her feet was clearly audible. Suddenly, more dancers appeared, along with a Celtic beat that drowned the thumping of feet.
All of a sudden, everything stopped and the most solemn part of the concert began. A single dancer walked loudly across the stage, breathing heavily. This abruptly turned into entertaining confusion, with a memorable music track.
“A City Lullaby”, choreographed by Egwu, was a joy to watch. It was an exceptional work of art, with jazz, street and hip-hop moves and lyrics, on the scale of a Broadway show.
A dedication to murdered teenager Trayvon Martin, who was killed on Feb. 26, 2012, was a special surprise. The dancers dressed in gray hoodies and performed to a jazzy urban beat, expressing solidarity through their moves.
After the intermission came “State of Change”, choreographed by Lanczi. It seemed like a sequel to “Insert Emotion Here” insomuch that it had similar music and movements. A recurring theme was that one dancer carried and held up other dancers.
“Cordel”, choreographed by Soledade and performed by guest dancers Jeannine Maffucci and Jamil Morgan — from Miami dance company Augusto Soledade Brazzdance — featured sensual, sexy R&B rhythms that delighted the audience. The piece was erotic and romantic, with an irreverent playfulness.
The final performance, “Del Dicho al Hecho” choreographed by Marquez, was the concert’s most climatic presentation. Dressed in the traditional outfits of flamenco dancers, several female dancers and one male dancer captured the audiences with Latin dance moves and music. The women danced side to side, slapping their fingers, while the man performed with the bravado of a conquering conquistador.
Overall, the Dance concert was an artistic masterpiece that exhibited the best dance talent NSU has to offer.
