Geneseo’s largest student-run organization and dance group Orchesis held its Spring 2015 Showcase in Wadsworth Auditorium from Saturday March 28–Sunday March 29. The show included 16 routines that featured varying styles and levels with many creative twists on traditional dance forms.
The showcase opened with an upbeat hip-hop dance to a collaboration of Usher’s “Yeah!” and Ester Dean’s “Drop It Low.” Performers wore either bright orange or pink shirts to add a vibrant element to the routine. The dance consisted of synchronized hand and arm movements that corresponded to the music’s rhythm. One performer even breakdanced by balancing upside-down before doing the worm across the stage, bringing high energy to the auditorium.
In sharp contrast, the ballet performance to the acoustic version of Sam Smith’s “Latch” presented a slow and graceful style. The song perfectly complemented the dancers’ fluid and expressive movements. This beautiful piece truly captured the emotional quality of the music.
A definite crowd favorite was “R.I.P. IB.” The dance brought excitement to the stage and nostalgia for some audience members. Two dancers wore Inn Between bouncer shirts while others dressed in various colored tank tops. Performers grooved to popular songs played at the IB, including Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” V.I.C.’s “Wobble” and R. Kelly’s “Ignition (Remix).”
The “IB” routine truly captured a part of Geneseo’s nightlife culture––it even closed with a recording of last call to the bar and the song “Shout.” Whether or not you liked the IB, there’s no denying that this routine transported audience members back in time to a Main Street landmark.
Guest groups Ballroom Dance Club, Bhangra and Knightline also performed during the showcase.
Ballroom Dance Club offered a new approach to their genre by performing to the energetic “Hey Ya!” by Outkast. Three couples moved seamlessly about the stage with twirls and quick footwork. Each couple flawlessly executed advanced aerial moves.
Geneseo Bhangra brought explosive liveliness to the stage in colorful saris, intertwining the more traditional Indian dance with contemporary pop. Their bright smiles lit up the stage.
After intermission, Geneseo’s Knightline performed a jazz routine to oldies such as Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” and The Foundations’ “Build Me Up Buttercup.” The piece started with the male dancer singing the opening, then gracefully lifting one of the dancers as other performers circled around the two.
The finale featured one of the most creative dances of the night. In the fitting title “Evolution of Dance,” Orchesis officers dressed in clothing representing different eras of dance styles from the 1960s through today.
Songs included Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” the Beatles’ “Twist and Shout,” “Greased Lightning” from the film Grease, Michael Jackson’s “Beat it,” Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive,” MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This” and Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping.”
Other Orchesis members joined the stage during the finale to perform dance crazes such as the “Macarena,” “Cotton Eyed Joe” and the more recent “Teach Me How to Dougie” in a fun and fitting end to an exciting show.