CITIES
Jazba at the Northrop The Bollywood fusion dance competition continues to dazzle years after its genesis BY MITCHELL LEVESQUE In the Northrop auditorium, integration of TV shows and movies such as “Black Mirror” and “Incredibles 2” with Bollywood fusion dance yields an interesting result, yet no one could have expected the intricate and exhilarating experience that occured on Saturday night’s stage. Jazba, a Hindi-Urdu word meaning “passion,” is an annual intercollegiate dance competition, aiming to highlight South Asian culture while raising money for the non-profit Women in Need. Bollywood fusion is the combining of genres such as contemporary, hip hop, and—of course— Bhangra, an ebullient traditional dance of Indian culture. Although each group that participated represented the unique blend with their own twist, a central thread running throughout was the incorporation of a skit, featuring references to various TV shows and movies. Washu Chaahat, a group hailing from Washington University in St. Louis, gave a portrayal of the Black Mirror episode “Hang the DJ.” Many groups, while incorporating skits, also blended the music, with one group featuring Bollywood vocals on the top of Biggie Smalls’ “Hypnotize” instrumental. If there was any match to what was happening on stage, it was the crowd: “oohing” and “aahing,” the atmosphere was electrifying as the performance filled the ground floor and three balconies in Northrop. After the festivities, the action settled down to crown the winner. Following an exuberant performance by University of Michigan’s Michigan Izzat, the all-men’s fusion team took home the first place prize. Despite being three and half hours, Jazba made good use of its time, showing off dedicated groups that celebrate South Asian culture. The only question that remains is whether next year’s Jazba will be able to match the passion of this one.
Amplified 2020: A Reason to Put Down Your Phone
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Apparel design’s senior fashion show BY EVAN GILL Amplified is apparel design’s annual fashion show, and the seniors are the showcase for the night, presenting their fashion lines of four complete outfits. Each designer briefly explains their fashion line. The designers hope their words bridge the gap between the garments and their vision. However, their work does most of the explaining. Many designers chose to proudly display their own identities. A stand-out among these was Warda Moosa displaying her line “SOMALI BAAN AHAY,” which translates to “I AM SOMALI.” Featuring bright colors and flowing fabric, it showcased Somalia’s rich culture with a twist of modernity. Other lines looked to the future, featuring elements of fantasy, mysticism, and sci-fi. Yet of the most successful future-looking line was “Reduce, Reuse, Restyle” by Andrea Dunrud. Turning T-shirts into yarn and suit jackets into jeans, Andrea used 42 recycled garments to create her line. She constructed her pieces by arranging used garments into new patterns and materials, creating highly textured pieces of intrigue. Andrea also gave us a vision of the future with her sustainable fashion that is also cutting edge. Borrowing from more recognized styles, Rachel Katz created a men’s skateboarding line titled “Sababa.” Inspired by graffiti and other urban elements of fusion and chaos, it was mixed with rich patterns, blocks of colors, and “bad boy vibes.” Thinking about the future of these garments, she noted they are meant to be “worn, torn, and worn again.” With the diverse array of designers and their unique visions, all of the fashion lines captivated the audience to keep their phones put away. We hope next year’s show also captivates the audience to look up.
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THE WAKE
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