2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Dancing on a Razor's Edge
'Dance Now, Die Later' performance innovative, diverse and... beautiful
By: Tanya Castell
Issue date: 5/23/08 Section: Arts
"Dance Now, Die Later" promised to be a recital with attitude.
It was. And no one died.
Metallica and ballet was just one of the unique combinations presented at Southwestern College's spring recital, directed by Professor Mary Jo Horvath. Diverse and delightful, the show featured ballet folklorico, hip-hop and break dance numbers that were outside the box.
"To Annoy You" seemed to be the crowd favorite. Choreographed by Ian Isles, it was a fun hip-hop number danced by Rachel Ambasing, Adrianna Arellano, Dustin Berberabe, Noemi Casteñeda, Richie Gavino, Ian Isles, Reanna Octaviano, Lyndsay Ryce, Kris San Jose and Austin Turner.
It was danced extremely well and it was funny. It gave homage to Internet phenom turned reality star Tila Tequila when a dancer had a key necklace like those seen in "A Shot at Love" and put it around another dancer's neck. Another funny moment was when one of the dancers belted out several high notes during the end of the dance. He had audience members laughing and cheering to his diva impersonation.
"Mi Lindo Mexico" choreographed by Joel Garcia and "Jarabe Nayarita" choreographed by SWC Folklorico Jaguar, did Mexico justice. Both pieces were beautifully danced to traditional mariachi music.
Tanya Quiros and Mauricio Vergara choreographed and danced in "One Last Time," a piece that made some audience members shed a tear. This contemporary lyrical work was soft and emotional. It seemed as though it was a couple who had broken up but wanted one last day together. Quiros and Vergara did a wonderful job at interpreting the end of a relationship.
Break dancer Nick Zavala graced audience members with a short performance in which he danced in a suit to Michael Jackson. Zavala is one of the best dancers at SWC and proved it in his "Short Spot."
Modern dance made itself heard with "Images From Stone," choreographed by Debi Toth-Ward. This piece was one of the best in the show. It began with a man playing live music with a didgeridoo (a wind instrument of Australian Aborigines) and bells around his ankles. Dancers Ian Isles, Katie LeLievre, Mirian Lomeli, Daniel Meza, Ann Noceda, Reanna Octaviano and Cesar Soto did a brilliant job and took modern dance to another level. Their technique was precise and their stage presence was strong.
"Decisions," choreographed by Karla Navarro, was an unexpected combination of ballet and a heavy metal ballad. Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" was the music selected to accompany this ballet piece. One of the dancers who was en pointe put on a strong performance with strong attitudes, arabesques and jetes.
"Dance Now, Die Later" was a great show. Horvath and choreographers did an amazing job encouraging variety which kept audience members on the edge of their seats.
It was. And no one died.
Metallica and ballet was just one of the unique combinations presented at Southwestern College's spring recital, directed by Professor Mary Jo Horvath. Diverse and delightful, the show featured ballet folklorico, hip-hop and break dance numbers that were outside the box.
"To Annoy You" seemed to be the crowd favorite. Choreographed by Ian Isles, it was a fun hip-hop number danced by Rachel Ambasing, Adrianna Arellano, Dustin Berberabe, Noemi Casteñeda, Richie Gavino, Ian Isles, Reanna Octaviano, Lyndsay Ryce, Kris San Jose and Austin Turner.
It was danced extremely well and it was funny. It gave homage to Internet phenom turned reality star Tila Tequila when a dancer had a key necklace like those seen in "A Shot at Love" and put it around another dancer's neck. Another funny moment was when one of the dancers belted out several high notes during the end of the dance. He had audience members laughing and cheering to his diva impersonation.
"Mi Lindo Mexico" choreographed by Joel Garcia and "Jarabe Nayarita" choreographed by SWC Folklorico Jaguar, did Mexico justice. Both pieces were beautifully danced to traditional mariachi music.
Tanya Quiros and Mauricio Vergara choreographed and danced in "One Last Time," a piece that made some audience members shed a tear. This contemporary lyrical work was soft and emotional. It seemed as though it was a couple who had broken up but wanted one last day together. Quiros and Vergara did a wonderful job at interpreting the end of a relationship.
Break dancer Nick Zavala graced audience members with a short performance in which he danced in a suit to Michael Jackson. Zavala is one of the best dancers at SWC and proved it in his "Short Spot."
Modern dance made itself heard with "Images From Stone," choreographed by Debi Toth-Ward. This piece was one of the best in the show. It began with a man playing live music with a didgeridoo (a wind instrument of Australian Aborigines) and bells around his ankles. Dancers Ian Isles, Katie LeLievre, Mirian Lomeli, Daniel Meza, Ann Noceda, Reanna Octaviano and Cesar Soto did a brilliant job and took modern dance to another level. Their technique was precise and their stage presence was strong.
"Decisions," choreographed by Karla Navarro, was an unexpected combination of ballet and a heavy metal ballad. Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" was the music selected to accompany this ballet piece. One of the dancers who was en pointe put on a strong performance with strong attitudes, arabesques and jetes.
"Dance Now, Die Later" was a great show. Horvath and choreographers did an amazing job encouraging variety which kept audience members on the edge of their seats.
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