Before an audience of parents and students in a packed Ashamu Dance Studio on Saturday, dance companies the Dance Extension, Divine Rhythm and New Works/World Traditions Collective performed six pieces for the Parents' Weekend Dance Concert.
In what was the second of three shows, Saturday night's concert truly delivered - the performances were vastly entertaining: enthusiastic, dynamic, varied and stylish. In numbers including lyrical pieces, interpretative dance and traditional African dances, the companies' members blended great technical skill with dazzlingly creative choreography.
The highlights of the performance were "Dansa/Wolosodon" and "Bamanan Don," the high-energy African dance pieces performed by New Works/World Traditions Collective that were accompanied by a live African drumming ensemble. The vibrant numbers, which involved traditional Malian call-and-response chanting and rapid, complicated footwork, showcased the dancers' stamina and expertise. These dance numbers celebrated African history and customs by telling the story of Malian cultures through percussion and movement.
The concert's opening piece was performed by stepping company Divine Rhythm and combined elements of song, dance and storytelling. The dance detailed step's origins in South Africa and its development through the centuries to the present day, as it evolved from an African expression into a uniquely African-American art form.
Led by choreographer Stesha Emmanuel '08, Divine Rhythm was captivating in a tightly choreographed step number that showcased the dancers' mastery of the form as well as their creative talent. The company played with the dance moves, creating a textured piece that was both playful and serious.
The concert's interpretive dance offerings "Family Experiment #1" and "Rainbow Etude" played with dance's ability to express aspects of the human experience. Performed by Dance Extension, the numbers were fusion dance interpretations of different themes. The issue of family was explored in the group's quirky "Family Experiment #1," accompanied by a mash-up of family-themed songs such as "Family Affair." The other piece recreated black choreographer Donald McKayle's 1959 piece "Rainbow Etude," which alluded to different forms of oppression. Though expertly executed and interestingly choreographed, the pieces were a bit confusing due to their abstract nature.
A third Dance Extension performance, "Madame Sand," was beautiful and expressive. Simultaneously somber and jubilant, the piece successfully blended elements of ballet, jazz dance and lyrical dance, making for a gorgeous interpretive number.
Another wonderful performance was the jazzy "Civil Liberties," set to a synth-heavy version of Jimmy Smith's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag." The piece was noticeably more traditional than the other offerings but every bit as satisfying and fun to watch, with powerful presentations from the dancers and a number of standout mini solos. "Civil Liberties" was excellently choreographed, and the group demonstrated great chemistry.
