10S is here. The Green is slowly turning green, we're reuniting with friends who have traveled all over the globe the past term, the Sun God has taken over Novack and prospie love is in the air. Chances are you're already yearning for that first party of the term to shake what you gained over break and feel like P. Diddy all over again. If you're looking for some moves to freshen up that old clap-and-point routine you've been using since last Fall, look no further. Dartmouth's different dance ensembles each specializing in different styles of dance based on religion, ethnicity and music are kicking off the spring season with new events, routines, and best of all, their favorite dance moves for you to spice up your dancing this term.
Ujima is one of Dartmouth's older groups, founded in 1970. Ujima's name originates from one of seven principles of Kwanzaa, and means collective work and responsibility.' The group operates with this idea in mind, and exists as a part of the Afro-American Society. Ujima's repertoire focuses on hip-hop, but also includes ballet, modern and jazz and African dance. "Ujima's a family. We try and help each other out whenever we can and create a community within our group," co-director Ayana Christie '11 said. "We're the oldest dance group on campus and want to maintain our name as one of the premier performing groups."You can add a bit of Ujima to your moves by rocking your hips back and forth as you bend your knees and sink to the floor the group performs this move to "Videophone" by Beyonce, and Christie says the move is a great way to connect with the audience.Ujima will be performing at the Spring term Step show, which is Ujima's biggest and most anticipated performance of the year.
SHEBA: Strictly Hip-Hop Expressions Beats and Art named after the popular cat food brand is another hip-hop dance troupe, formed in 1995. Originally dubbed the "new hip-hop movement" on campus shortly after its appearance, SHEBA is a predominantly hip-hop group, Michelle Lee '12 said. "Our personality is, whatever we do, we make it bold we do it to its extremity," she added.If you're looking to take a risk and vary your dancing style, try incorporating hairography, said Lee. You can shake, flip or otherwise move your head and hair in any way possible.Richard Stephenson '12, however, warns that hairography comes "with whiplash and concussions. I had to ice my neck when I joined the group."You can learn more of SHEBA's signature moves through their PE class, "Hip Hop Dance," offered every term."It's really for all different levels, kind of like a yoga class," Lee said. "You can break out a sweat and get a little skinny, and the point isn't just to hit every move. It's to learn and have fun.
Vandana is Dartmouth's South Asian dance group. President Sapna Chemplavil '11 says that Vandana's personality is "inclusive, self-directed, and fun." Aarti Kamat '13 agrees, saying that the group "gets people of all different backgrounds, skill levels and personalities." Vandana is a non-competitive group for anyone interested in learning South Asian dance, and for those hoping to compete in intercollegiate competitions, a tryout process is used to select a smaller competitive team."The team that is selected puts in a lot of hours to get their routines as close to perfect as possible" said Chemplavil. If you want to add some South Asian spice to your dancing, here's a guaranteed winner: the "pat the dog with one hand and screw in the lightbulb with the other." It's a bhangra step and a crowd favorite, says Chemplavil.Vandana will take the stage this spring at the South Asian culture night they co-organize with Milan, Dartmouth's South Asian student organization. They will also have some smaller performances during the term and Dimensions weekend.
For Your Glory is a praise dance troupe started by Racquel Bernard '13. Praise dance is set to gospel music and is often used to tell a story or reveal the meaning of a song. For Your Glory has performed on campus and in local churches. Bernard says that practices are "always full of laughter" and that practices are flexible because of the time commitments of members. This Spring, For Your Glory will appear with the Dartmouth Gospel Choir and put on a Praise Showcase similar to a concert held at Cutter-Shabazz this Winter. As for a spiritual addition to your cadre of dance moves, the good old point-to-the-sky is a For Your Glory classic the group uses this tried and true move to signify who they are praising during their dances.
FUSION is a dance group that, as its name indicates, incorporates multiple styles of dance, including jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, ballet and modern styles of dance. Member Emily Glassberg '13 said that FUSION is "very relaxed it's really just about enjoying dancing." The group is noncompetitive, and choreographers pitch their ideas and hold sign-ups for different dances, which allows for a variety of skill levels. Glassberg says that this allows for "expanding your dance horizons and trying new styles."Glassberg added that the shoulder roll is a classic FUSION move you sit on the floor, lean all the way back, and then roll over your shoulder back into a sitting position, swinging your feet over your head. Save this one for Phi Tau though, unless you want to have an impromptu frat juice bath.
One of Dartmouth's newest groups is XS Crew, which started performing this past winter. Co-director Hector Lopez '12 said that XS has fraternity and community service shows in the works, as well as some surprises along the way. As for a favorite move, Lopez can't choose. "We're so new and fresh everyone has their own style and swag." Lopez said that since the group hasn't been dancing together for a long time, they're still experimenting and creating new moves to debut this spring.
The Ceili Irish Dancers are another group founded this year, Johanna Hamilton '10 said they are "fun, laidback, and a little bit awkward.""We embrace our uniqueness by not taking ourselves too seriously," she said. Hamilton also added that since most people haven't seen or heard of too much Irish dancing, Ceili (pronounced kay-lee) puts itself out there and "hopes for the best.""As for bringing some late St. Patrick's Day spirit into your frat repertoire, "the butterfly" may be hard to master. It's a complicated move that requires your feet to be fluttering in the air while high jumping. Jumping and kicking out your feet any which way always manages to look somewhat Irish, though.
STACCATO, Dartmouth's step team, was formed last Spring by a group of students who wanted to practice stepping without having to join a Greek house. (Alpha Phi Alpha and Lambda Upsilon Lambda put on a stroll show each year, and strolling is the with-music version of stepping.) STACCATO is co-ed and open to everyone and specializes in learning and enjoying the practice of stepping, Natasha Herring '12 said.Herring added that STACCATO is all about learning "edgy, rhythmic steps and dances that are all choreographed by students." One move that has become popular with non-steppers is the spelling of staccato' by twirling your hands and then pointing them right, repeating for the left, bending your arms up and then down at the elbows, and finishing it off with a sassy snap, Herring said. Best of all, this move can be done with or without music, so you're not limited to the dancefloor. As for the Spring term, Herring said STACCATO is excited for its Green Key Step Show the first anniversary of their existence as a performing group. "This is the highlight the Super Bowl. You definitely don't want to miss it," Herring said.
The Swing Dance Club introduced a new style of dance to campus when it formed in the winter of 2009. "It's a fun way to get to know people. It's a very relaxed atmosphere and primarily a social dance," Jen Fownes '11, the vice-president of the club, said. Introducing swinging is simple enough the girls or "followers" often turn and twirl during their dances. Though the Swing Dance club doesn't put on performance, Fownes says to look out for the termly dance party."It's open to all a live band, and community members are welcome," she said.
Ballroom dance is another form of dancing available at Dartmouth. Margarita Rabinovich '13 said that ballroom dance is "sassy, sexy and fun one part is Latin, which features hip-shaking dances like the cha-cha, rhumba and jive. The other more formal part is called Standard."The Ballroom Dance club hopes to compete at inter-Ivy League competitions, and encourages prospective members to attend upcoming information sessions.Although it may look peculiar in the middle of a crowd, try out the New Yorker start with your weight on your left foot, and your right food pointed to the side. Pass your right foot past your left under your body as you turn ninety degrees to the left, and put all your weight on your right food as you stand upright and stretch your left arm away from your body. "Here's where you catch the eye of a cutie in the audience," Rabinovich said.Ballroom Dance hopes to organize performances for the term and Rabinovich hinted that a surprise performance may occur at the info session.
Look out for these groups' performances and upcoming showcases. Better yet, go forth and try these new moves out the next time Tik Tok' comes on over the speakers. You have no excuse to use that head-bop finger-snap knee-bend thing anymore.
