Every year, various student arts groups hold showcases, tryouts and recitals, all for the purpose of conveying this message to freshmen: The fine and performing arts are very much alive at Hopkins.
The number of fantastic dance, acting, chorus, a cappella and comedy groups on campus is substantial and constantly growing.
On Friday, Sept. 4, Homewood Arts Programs sponsored the Orientation Dance Showcase, an event in which 14 dance groups performed for an audience of over 500 students, faculty and friends.
Organized by the Modern Dance Company, the Showcase certainly accomplished its goal, exposing new Blue Jays to the enormous amount of talent and skill possessed by dancers at Hopkins.
After a brief introduction by Eric Batey, the director of Homewood Arts Programs, the show began. The first group to perform was Shakti, the Indian classical dance team here at Hopkins. They practice Bharatnatyam, a style that mixes quick footwork with deliberate, rhythmic music.
The performers, all female, performed two numbers: "Tandav" and "Liquid Dance." Shakti's performance, which incorporated a variety of slow and fast movements, was aided by both the exuberance of the dancers' saris, which ranged from blue and green to red and magenta, and the unity with which the dancers moved.
The second group was the Eclectics, a co-ed dance group that, true to their name, works with an amalgamation of dance techniques, including hip-hop, step, modern and jazz. Their energetic style was accompanied by the music of contemporary artists Kanye West, The Pussycat Dolls and Smashing Pumpkins.
Although the dancers were certainly competent, the positive audience response was likely a product of the popular music used during their number.
Next came the Classical Ballet Company, which was only established in January of last year. Their first piece, entitled "Swans," was very short, but their second dance, "Libertango," was one of the most engaging sets of the entire night.
The combination of music and energetic dancing drew the audience into the performance more so than any other set had at that point. Many students may operate under the misconception that ballet is slow, formulaic and delicate in nature.
During their second piece, the Hopkins Ballet Company showed audience members that they can be as audacious as any dance group on campus.
With a blast of music, Temp d'Afrique, also known as ASA, entered the stage. ASA typically dance to a wide variety of West African music, and hope to help their audience feel "the beat of Africa." The lively, fun African music and informal dance style seemed tailor-made to grab the audience's attention. Indeed, Temp d'Afrique's set was the first to cause an audience-wide clap.
Although their individual style became repetitive, the music and energy compensated for lackluster dancing. The audience, too, had a part in saving the set, reinvigorating the routine with their participation.
Following this routine, the Johns Hopkins Modern Dance Company took the stage. The Modern Dance Company, created in 1981 and led by Marilyn Byers, pursues a style of dance with which many students may not be familiar.
The Company explores the Nikolais-Louis technique and aims to understand the body's motion through space. Participation is open to all Hopkins affiliates, from undergraduates and graduates to faculty and staff.
Fittingly, their first set, "Avenging Angels," began in a very unique way; a dancer entered the stage trailing a sash that spanned the length of the stage.
Eventually, the sash was detached and served as the centerpiece around which dancers performed. The set was marked by slow, deliberate movements, often featuring careful balancing and extensions on the parts of the dancers.
The second set, entitled "Heresy," contained the same style of purposeful, rhythmic muscle movements by which the Company is known. The audience seemed fairly baffled, but no one can argue with the amount of skill and practice that went into choreographing the set.
Following this methodical and gradual piece was S.L.A.M., a group whose style is antithetical to the preceding troupe. This was expected, considering the acronym by which the group goes stands for "Stop! Look At Me!" This hip-hop/step group used complicated choreography to stir up the audience and create an atmosphere of energy, flair and fun.
Though this particular performance was quite long, it never grew tiresome; this can be attributed to the fantastic dancers and the hours of planning and practice that led up to the O-Dance Show.
Next came the Ladybirds, an all-female troupe that combines hip-hop, jazz and pom and often participate in Blue Jay sporting events. The Ladybirds combined retro music with new-age style in a flashy, Chicago-esque production.
Known for philanthropic pursuits and possessing a fun-loving style, these girls made one thing very obvious: They want their audience to have as good a time as they are.
For example, as their act drew to a close, the Ladybirds stood hip-to-hip and began to kick their legs, Rockettes-style. Indeed, the dancers smiled for the duration of their set, from their bursting onto the stage to their tumultuous exit.
As the lights dimmed, the next dance group was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, with the rattling of metal and the thumping of feet, the women composing Egyption Sun began processing down the aisle. Performing a fusion of Egyptian and Turkish belly dance, the women aimed to dazzle their audience with an ancient form of entertainment.
One of the most impressive feats of the night occurred when a belly dancer balanced a sword on her head as she danced around stage. Such skill garnered much deserved applause from the audience.
Jaywalk, a recent addition to the number of dance groups at Hopkins, performed next. They mixed ballet with jazz and lyrical styles; in fact, their set encompassed many of the previous dance groups.
If S.L.A.M., Modern Dance and the Ballet Company were to fuse their techniques, their result might resemble Jaywalk. Their two sets, Where I Stood and Pokerface, were fascinating mixes of technique and song.
The next group, Vivaz, explore music and dance styles from the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa. The six dancers who comprised Vivaz's troupe attempted a lively, raucous performance, but the music, turned much too low, initially prohibited this goal.
Eventually, the audience requested that the music be turned up; as it turns out, students watching the set saved it from technical error.
Next was Lion Dance, the Yong Han Chinese Lion Dance Troupe, who had undoubtedly the most spectacular entrance. Two huge dragons, manned by two students each, stormed down the aisles and took the stage. The dance style, which mixed martial arts and careful choreography, was made even more impressive by the magnificent costumes.
The final three groups were OLE Dance, JOSH, and Breakdance. OLE, a fusion of Latin ballroom and modern dance, was a sensual, energetic set that, unfortunately, was marred by an error. JOSH, the all-girl Indian fusion team, was one of the best sets of the night, showcasing superb dancers in exuberant colors. Finally, Breakdance ended the show with a fantastic set that incorporated multiple dance styles-including, to everyone's great joy, "the Robot."
