 Media Credit: Rachelle Parrs Dancers continue to rehearse their newly choreographed piece after returning from the College Dance Festival in San Francisco. [Click to enlarge]
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With twelve people in a twelve-passenger van for twelve-plus hours, they knew they were in for an adventure right from the beginning. After a short delay due to the recent snowstorm, ten Western students-along with their facilitator-arrived at San Francisco State University for the American College Dance Festival Association's regional conference.
The festival was held Jan. 16-21, and was not about competition, as so many dance performances are. The festival was an opportunity for students to perform, enjoy other informal performances and spend a long weekend with students from all over the West Coast. There were also guest artists and professors teaching various dance classes that students were invited to participate in.
Western generally only has enough funding to send a group of students to the festival every other year. However, through the Incidental Fee Committee and money from the annual dance concert, the trip was made possible again this year even though students were able to go last year too.
Students at Western tried out in October to be part of the group that traveled to San Francisco. Seven students were selected for the piece, along with three freshmen alternates. Students included Rebecca Chadd, Madeline Smith, Chelsea Bowman, Samantha Cunningham, Chelsey Hammond-Williams, Jessica Evans, Malia Jenkins, Megan Little, Kimberly Rogers and Samuel Hobbs.
Minh Tran, a well-known Portland choreographer and dancer, choreographed the piece for the festival. Tran is originally from Vietnam and his work is distinguished by traditional Asian techniques that he combines with a contemporary style.
The dancers danced to "Furious Angels" by Rob Dougan and the Deftones. Their costumes were designed by Sandra Hedgepeth, Assistant Professor of the Theatre/Dance Department at Western.
The students that participated in the trip to San Francisco all take daily dance technique classes at Western and have all incorporated dance into their majors in one way or another.
"We all dance a crap-load and we're always dressed like this," said junior Jessica Evans, referring to her relaxed-athletic clothing. They all agreed that no matter where they are, they are rarely in clothing that would prohibit them from dancing. After a successful trip to San Francisco, they are rehearsing once a week to maintain the work that they have already done on the piece. Their next performance will be in May at the annual spring dance concert, which is held in Rice Auditorium.
