Fredonia Dance Ensemble steps it up to end the year

Dim lights, ruby curtains and a hushed crowd awaited the performance of the Theatre and Dance Department. The Walter Gloor Mainstage Series presented The Fredonia Dance Ensemble in Concert on Friday, April 29 in Marvel Theater.  

Parents, students, friends and residents of Fredonia flooded in, tickets in hand. A man sat bouncing his leg up and down as a clenched fist rested on his lap. A few rows away, a little girl dressed in pink with golden locks hung onto her mother's neck admiring the audience that murmured back and forth, some of them still looking for their seat.

As darkness filled the room an anxious crowd silenced their chats of crummy weather and weekend plans. The ruby curtains parted ways and spotlights centered on each dancer, all posed waiting for the music to set them free.  

"Zoot Suit Riot" by Cherry Poppin' Daddies released the dancers from their frozen stature and tap shoes set the rhythm right as six dancers gave the performance a classic style.  Black and white attire complimented the performance as dancers, John Benware, Amanda Kellner, Briana Kelly, Katherine O'Keefe, Jennifer Sharlette and Michael Valvo tore up the stage to set the bar for the rest of the performances.

Distancing themselves from the classic act, "The Daily Show" performed a dance that explored a more "violent and disturbing side of human nature." A demonstration of routine situations and the expression of love and frustration were represented in a battle for one another to listen and be cooperative with each other. The performance was seamless with enthusiasm and energy as each dancer used all of the stage.

After each performance the audience clapped in approval. Hearts racing and sweat gleaming off their skin, the dancers took a bow and smiled continuously as their dedication and time had paid off in a pleasing performance.

Once the dancers took a quick breath, they were back tip toeing and tapping their way in the next performance. "Reverie No. 21" was playful and flirtatious, taking a step in a new direction after a dark and heavy previous performance. The music was memorable; everyone had heard it at least once before. "Piano Concerto No. 21" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart radiated through the air as the sound of a ballerina step took over the audience's attention. Blue costumes glistened in the glow of the spotlights.

Versatility and change were represented through the choices of dance in each performance. With each light step, each performance differed from the last. While producing many different emotions, the performers were able to adapt quickly and complete a beautiful yet simple style of dance.  

"Servillanas y Tangos" spiced up the night as an abundance of dancers came together in a rivalry of dance. It was cultural from dress to dance as the performers smiled and leapt in the air only to hit the wooden stage with a mere sound of a tap. The costumes were brilliant in color and the music was lively and joyous.

After a brief intermission, "Tropotactic Trio" presented a dance that was light-hearted and comedic as the audience let out a slight giggle every few minutes. The routine portrayed a struggle of things not working well when you want them to. When the act broke into an imitation sequence after introducing another dancer, the crowd laughed in approval.

Perhaps the most meaningful of all the performances was "The Heart is as Wide as the World." This particular dance began with multiple facial expressions, representing a sea of different emotions. Every dancer came together to repeat the words, "give and take" while their voices grew louder. Incorporated into the dance were electronic style movements and music. Perhaps the dance symbolized how the heartbreak of argument and fighting is meaningless. When the dancers came together their struggles had dissipated and together they became one beautiful group dancing in unison.  

"Shakti" concluded the performances of the night. The energy radiated off every dancer as their brightly colored costumes took center stage beneath the lights. It was a spiritual dance that incorporated many cultural aspects. It showed the playfulness of man and woman and their attraction towards one another as well as appreciating the exploration of love.

An overwhelming applause came over the audience as some decided to stand in the darkness as the curtains came together.