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University of Maine dancers will tap, twirl, shimmy and shake under the lights of a packed auditorium Thursday, Dec. 11 and Friday, Dec. 12 during the 2008 Fall Dance Showcase.
At 7:30 p.m. on both nights, in Hauck Auditorium, the dancing will commence, featuring a lineup of 23 dances, ranging in style from jazz and swing all the way to tap and contemporary dance. Students will showcase their individual works, while dance classes will perform an arrangement choreographed by their professors.
Chelsea Rondeau, a junior choreographer and dancer said the Fall Dance Showcase used to be solely for student and teacher works-in-progress, a time to critique each others’ work. It has since then evolved into much more.
“The showcase has become a really big deal, like a formal recital,” Rondeau said. “We’ve been working on these dance routines all semester long, and this is our chance to show people what we’re made of.”
Tickets sold out within minutes of doors opening last year. “Everyone needs to show up early. I can’t stress that enough,” said Greg Young, senior choreographer and dancer. “Last year, hundreds of people showed up, and the auditorium was full 15 minutes before the show even started.”
Some of the more anticipated dance numbers include “Alice in Tappyland,” an adventurous tap dance piece; “Sinking,” an aggressive dance theater piece inspired by zombies; and “0487,” a fast-paced, flowing jazz number.
The event is free for any student with a MaineCard; tickets are $7 for the public. “There will be raffles and lots of prizes which will benefit the American Collegiate Dance Festival [ACDF],” said Nicole Lagasse, a senior choreographer and dancer.
The ACDF is a national dance festival which will be held at UMaine in 2009. Dance groups from colleges across the country will travel to Orono to showcase their talents. For now, all the focus is on the upcoming nights.
“There are only two big dance events all year long – one in the fall and one in the spring,” Lagasse said. “We don’t get a lot of publicity or recognition, so everyone needs to come check it out.”
Not only will the showcase visually stimulate and entertain the crowd, it will give them an inside look at the creative side of the student body. “This is a great opportunity for the community and for fellow students to come and recognize the hard work and creativity involved in dance,” Young said.
With finals week looming, this is a great opportunity for all students to take a break and to recognize the hard work of others. Show up early, grab a seat and watch the UMaine dance community serve up a night of their inspirational, haunting and intense art.
Bangor Daily News