D A N C E A C R O S S C AMPUS Exploring Cornell’s Dance Troupes Slope Media Spring 2012
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SLOPE MEDIA Exploring Campus Dance Troupes
Slope spoke with 7 separate dance troupes about each group’ s styles, traditions, and backgrounds to discover the unique aspects that set each group apart from any other on campus.
Featured Dance Troupes: Beketsev Bhangra Big Red Raas Pandora Rise Shadow Teszia
Slope Contributers: Writers: Olivia Duell Photographers: Olivia Duell Sarah Roger Victoria Sobel Sarah Sonenberg Layout: Shah Ahmed Slope Magazine Editorial Director: Lizzie Brooks
CONTENTS Big Red Raas
Beketsev
Shadow
Teszia
Pandora
Rise Bhangra
BIG RED RAAS
Traditional Gujarati Indian + Modern Big Red Raas is a co-ed troupe that incorporates modern dance forms into a traditional Indian dance style. The group takes pride in its student-taught and student-created choreography, as well as its inclusivity of all types of dancers of any level of experience.
“One Team, One Love� Cornell Big Red Raas combines traditional Gujarati style dance with more modern styles in order to share Gujarati culture with the Cornell community and in places throughout the country where the group competes. Indeed, the group is well traveled, and in the past has visited places including Los Angeles and Philadelphia for competitions and has placed well, winning second overall in their most recent competition in Philadelphia. Group members cite different reasons for joining: some want to spread awareness of the Gujarati culture through dance; others wanted to try something new in college, and thought the Raas ex-
perience would be fun. A few Raas boys jokingly explain the chance to dance with the Raas girls was their main reason for joining the troupe. Upon joining, members have various levels of experience, and members teach each other. The group practices up to six hours a week, and more around performance dates, so relatively inexperienced members have plenty of time to learn and challenge themselves. Students can watch Big Red Raas perform at their different events around campus, including Diwali Festival of Lights at Bailey, Sitara Night, and Fall Step.
BEKETSEV ISRAELI DANCE TROUPE Traditional Israeli Line Dance + Modern
Beketsev Dance Troupe mixes traditional Israeli styles of line dance with other forms, including Latin, jazz, lyrical, modern, ballet, hip-hop, and tap. This hybridization of styles enables Beketsev to reach a broader audience and share their unique culture with the Cornell community.
“With a Beat” Beketsev arrived on campus in 2003 as a means to teach communal dance to a large group of interested participants. From this original community grew the Beketsev Latin-Israeli gym class as well as Beketsev Dance Troupe, a smaller group of dedicated members. The troupe’s unique combination of dance styles is relatively new, as the revival of Israeli line dance and its mixture with other dance forms developed only in the 90s and 2000s. Though it incorporates many styles, the troupe still uses and shares more traditional dance moves and styles, including the Dabke and Yemenite moves, with its audience. Many members have prior dance experience, but since the style is so varied, a wide range of dancers can audition and participate. Others have limited to no ex-
perience, and upon learning about Beketsev’s unique dance style, wanted to try something brand new. It’s not necessary for members to have an Israeli or Jewish background to participate, and since members may choose which dances to participate in, it’s easy to dance at one’s appropriate level. Beketsev performs at many campus events, including Relay For Life, night events at The Johnson Museum of Art, and others. In the past, the group has attended the Israeli Dance Festival in Boston. Additionally, Beketsev holds an International Spring Exhibition to showcase dance styles and groups from all around the world.
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SHADOWS DANCE TROUPE Stylistic, Sharp, and Sassy Shadows Dance Troupe is an all-girl group with styles mixing contemporary, lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop. The girls cite their strength as a group as their ability to perfectly mix technique with performance quality. All members generally have a strong dance background, and the group looks for new members with strong technique.
“Spunky Style” Shadows stresses not only technique, but also personality. When seeking members, they search for girls with both a spark of personality as well as a variety of dance ability. Members describe their group as seductive, sharp, stylistic, and sexy, characteristics they aim to translate into their dance moves and choreography. One or two Shadows members choreograph and teach a routine, and thanks to the members’ high level of dance experience, at least half of the group choreographs pieces
during their time with the dance troupe.
The group fields many requests to perform around campus, and has participated in events including Relay For Life, Big Red Relief, Fall Tonic, and sports games. Shadows also coordinates Cornell’s Fall Step event, the biggest dance show on campus, an annual charity concert which hosts other groups in Bailey Hall. In spring, they hold their own showcase, Spring Heat.
TESZIA BELLY DANCE TROUPE Teszia Belly Dance Troupe is different from any other on Cornell’s campus, and combines Tribal, Egyptian, Turkish, Cabaret, Fusion, Hip-Hop, and Bollywood styles into their belly dancing routines.
“Confident Community” Teszia challenges women in areas they probably have not yet faced, as many members have limited past experience with belly dancing. While members may or may not have an extensive dance background, all must possess or develop an ability to perform the group’s unique dance moves. Members take the challenge seriously, and all care extensively about perfecting their belly dance techniques and routines. This common goal helps build a strong,
comfortable, confident community of women who are then able to share their love of belly dance on campus. Look for Teszia’s performances throughout the year at orientation events, Cornell Days, and the Locally Grown Dance Festival. They also present their own Spring Shimmy, a themed event to showcase their troupe each year.
PANDORA DANCE TROUPE Pandora Dance Troupe mixes jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, ballet, and contemporary. This group of women is ready to have fun while they show off their technical style.
“Have Fun” Pandora, a female dance troupe, is student run, taught, and choreographed. All members generally have a good deal of dance experience behind them, especially in ballet. Though classical training is generally preferred, the girls do incorporate many different styles, and thus each member’s individual training and style helps contribute to the group’s routines. The girls of Pandora, while
dedicated to their craft, are ready to have fun and laugh throughout practice, and thoroughly show their love for what they do. See Pandora perform around campus in their spring fundraiser Spring Into Motion, and at guest performances including Ithacaid.
RISE DANCE TROUPE Rise is Cornell’s newest dance troupe. Still growing, this group of women combines contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical styles, and invites members of all dance backgrounds and levels of experience to participate, audition, and join.
“Girls Who Love Dance” Rise recently formed in Spring 2012 and had its first performance shortly after. The group began with four girls who fell in love with dance in gym class and decided to create a team more open for those who want to learn while dancing for fun. Rise focuses mainly on strengthening the individual through its routines and teamwork, and offers a supportive, community
feel to its members. Membership has quickly expanded, and now encompasses a wide variety of girls who love dance and want to perform to grow. Goals for the future of Rise include more performances, particularly a spot in the Locally Grown Dance Festival, as well as the group’s own showcase
BHANGRA Bhangra shares its Northern Indian folk style of dance with the larger Cornell community, and spreads the love of this style of dance in the group’s competitions across the country. Though the group aims to make others aware of its culture, Bhangra incorporates modern American songs to stand out and connect with the crowd.
“Spread the Love� Bhangra is a competitive dance troupe that frequently travels across America to compete throughout the country. In the past, the troupe has visited Boston, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, and Vancouver. Their success and popularity is noticeable, as over 100 people come to tryouts each audition period. Surprisingly, not all members have extensive dance experience, but all are enthusiastic about Bhangra’s
culture and opportunities to participate in a high-intensity, energetic dance style. Each year, the troupe hosts its showcase, Pao Bhangra, an event that fills Barton Hall. Bhangra, other Cornell groups, and professional dance teams gather to perform together to a crowd of 3000. The experience is well worth the time!
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