The Story

Orchesis Dances the Night Away- DancEvent 2009

Oct. 28, 2009 | By Heather McCormic, DSJ Staff Reporter

Being in a modern dance class, I was required to attend one of the three DancEvent 2009 performances on either October 22, 23, or 24 being held at 8 p.m. in the PBK. I was not all that enthused to spend five dollars to receive the light blue ticket allowing me entrance into the event, but was, of course, found in the audience opening night.

I sat in absolute amazement after the velvety red curtain lifted and the first piece called �"Happy Hour” began. Set to a medley of music from �"Funkytown” by Lipps, Inc. to The Macarena, this peppy interpretation of dance styles was an excellent start for newcomers to modern dance. The Senior Orchesis dancers’ excited expressions were unforgettable as I watched the improvisation progress.

The second dance entitled �"Inbox” focused on a single female dancer in black leggings and a loose sheer black shirt over a black tank top. When approached by a woman with a clipboard, Joan Gavaler (choreographer and soloist) reluctantly accepted the bright green sheet of paper handed to her and stuffed it in her black shirt. The storyline continued as the dancer became bogged down with her mail in her inbox (her outfit). Over time, the dancer adjusted to this influx by taking the time to enjoy what she loved while incorporating it within her tedious work.

As the curtain dropped, the audience laughed and clapped in approval. The next performance, �"Don’t Tell Me It’s Raining,” began with three women in long sleeveless dresses, light blue to represent rain. The dresses flowed with grace as the dancers showed the phases of a storm. Suspended motions appeared to animate the dancers �"Alice In Wonderland” style, representing the continuous falling of rain, while percussive movements seemed to reflect the impact of the raindrops on Earth’s surface. This was a beautiful piece that captured the natural elements of modern dance.

After a performance by Professors Glenn, Morris, and Wade, �"Mere, fille, soeur, amie” took center stage. Six female Orchesis dancers portrayed three pairs of mothers and daughters who were going through the era of change in their relationships. The theme of love was evident throughout the dance, and was heartwarming for the audience.

Following a ten minute-intermission, �"Undercurrent” began with car horns honking the familiar Frank Sinatra tune �"New York, New York.” As the dance continued, the Orchesis dancers changed their dancing styles with the music. This dance was much more interpretive than the others, and did not have one prevailing meaning to the audience.

Dana McKelvey (’13) saw the performance simply as �"chaos on the stage, a cityscape representing modern life”, while Resse Spencer (’10) saw the dancers �"walking all over people after getting to know them.”

Spencer also noted the �"ominous [way the dancers ended by] walking forward” that made her feel uneasy about the message behind the dance.

�"StickStackStuck” was the next dance performed by Professors Gavaler and Glenn. These two dancers wore unitards and Converse All-Stars as their costumes, to the surprise of the audience. The dance was awkward for some, but seemed to bemuse many in the crowd. As the music began, the professors found themselves attached to each other, and fought to separate (hilarious sound effects acted as accompaniment throughout this struggle). Once they were apart, they worked together to create a dance that entertained the observers as they listened to a mix of classical music and �"R-E-S-P-E-C-T” by Aretha Franklin.

The last dance of the concert was titled �"Changing the Change.” To live music (piano, base, drums, harmonica, tambourine, and vocals), the Orchesis dancers moved as a mass, dancing in unison. A couple of dancers at a time would show their individual dance moves, drawing the audience to both music and dancing simultaneously. The vocalist’s poetry and the dancers’ interpretation ended the concert in a way that challenged audience members to consider how they are changing as their lives continue.

"All in attendance enjoyed the event", Tal Granek (’10) told me with a grin after the performance. Orchesis did a fine job if I may say so myself; you will find me in the audience again next year!