Global Motion Dance
The SMC Dance Department hosted the Global Motion Dance performance on May 16 and 17 at the Eli & Edythe Broad Stage.
Student dancers from Santa Monica College performed 10 styles of dance on the evenings of May 16 and 17. The Eli & Edythe Broad Stage was full, as many family and friends supported the dancers, choreographers and musicians who produced the show. The founder and former Artistic Director of Global Motion is Professor Judith Douglas. The artistic directors are Raquel Ramírez and Sri Susilowati.
The first performance was a Hawaiian/Tahitian dance named “Hōkūle’a” otherwise known as “The Double-hulled Canoe,” choreographed by Keali’i Ceballos. It was highly energetic and captivated the audience’s attention early on in the evening. Keali’i’s performance was followed by a tap dance choreographed by Joseph Wigan. The performance was accompanied by “Almost Like Being in Love” by Frederick Loewe. The song’s beat perfectly synced up with every foot movement the student dancers made.
As the night progressed, student choreographer Liz Maldonado’s Afrobeats Fusion dance was performed. The dance originates from South Africa and Nigeria and is known to be a very energetic style of dance. Alongside her number was a Cuban-inspired Mambo entitled “A Night at the Palladium” choreographed by faculty member, Laura Canellias. The set, lighting and costuming was full of colors and fast-paced music from Tito Puente, a popular bandleader.
Burlesque, “Take and Tease” choreographed by student choreographers and fellow dancers Marissa Aniel and Kara Alexys, based its choreography on the idea of rebelliousness portrayed in a comedic tone.
After the intermission, “For Us, In Shadow and Light,” a street dance performance choreographed by student Jamie “Nova” Rush, who also performed, told a story that the dancers go through. Each dancer had a solo and everyone started clapping and screaming in excitement.
“El Jarabe Tapatio (The Mexican Hat Dance)” was one of the acts from “Cuadro de Jalisco.” It is known for its Charro attire and China Poblana costuming and features a man and woman who dance around a hat placed on the floor. As they both dance around it, the love and passion between them continues to grow. Afterwards, “A Medley of Jalisco Sones,” a traditional Jalisco’s folklórico known for its vibrant dresses and zapateados, or high-energy foot movements, was performed. Both were choreographed by faculty Raquel Ramirez.
“Ring Galah Hening — In Moments of Dawn” a traditional Balinese Dance with guest choreographer Dewa Ayu Dewi Larassanti, featuring detailed movements from all the dancers. The dancers began from outside the room and made their way onto the stage using hand movements and eye contact that made the crowd more attentive. They created music from natural materials using their hands, bamboo and their voices.
“Fusion” was a belly dance by guest choreographer Ariel Kasha. The Egyptian dance featured many lower-body movements that require hip control. The dancers wore flowy, shimmery two piece costumes that emphasized their hip movements.
The last performance, “Manjani (Mendiani),” was choreographed by faculty member Angela Jordan and was rooted in the Djembe Dance, a West African dance technique. It started with Djembe drums that were played with bare hands. All the dancers interpreted the rhythms being played on the drums, which matched their movements.
Throughout their performances, the dancers demonstrated their passion for dance. These performances were all well received by the audience whose applause filled the theater. The SMC Dance Department will be hosting a free Dance Open House Showcase on Wednesday, May 27 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Core Performance Center on the SMC Main Campus.