Tashara Gavin-Moorehead<\/a>, along with six faculty choreographers who helped bring the dazzling dances to life.<\/p>\nWith a total of six dances and a runtime of approximately two hours, the concert showcased a variety of stories and dance styles from Nov. 19 to 22. Concert director, professor and choreographer Lorin Johnson shared that it\u2019s these differences between dances that make the show such a spectacle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the eclectic vision of the concert that I\u2019m most proud of,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt\u2019s just fascinating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some members of the audience seemed to share Johnson\u2019s fascination as soon as the first piece \u2013 Gavin-Moorehead\u2019s \u201cObsidian Universe\u201d \u2013 graced the stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As applause welcomed the dancers and upward-flowing text filled the screen, the audience was invited into a Star Wars-esque future where the story and movements centered on African American culture.<\/p>\n
Through sci-fi fantasy and the mixing of dance styles, the choreographer of \u201cObsidian Universe\u201d illustrates a vision of the future while portraying the importance of culture, spirituality and tradition within African American history.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to imagine a world where Blackness is celebrated,\u201d Gavin-Moorehead said. \u201cGoing from Umfundalai, which is a contemporary African technique, into concert jazz, into Black dance theater, and into social dances which are all a part of this large continuum that began when we first arrived here as enslaved people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Dance professor Rebecca Bryant\u2019s piece, \u201cHecho right in front of t\u00fa,\u201d explores themes of invisible labor and background battles, all while incorporating camera and cord techniques into her art. Here, the camera and cord choreography are crucial parts of the dance as the performers tell the story. | Photo courtesy of the CSULB Dance Department<\/p>\n
Using dance as a form of storytelling, senior dance major and concert performer Matthew Manuel said the piece he was in, \u201cDesert of the Real,\u201d stressed the importance of individuality for the audience to contemplate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis piece, to me, is really a reflection of truth and what it means . . . finding your identity and not letting it be washed over or influenced by others,\u201d Manuel said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
In dance professor Andrew Vaca\u2019s piece, \u201cThe Only Dance That Matters,\u201d the ideals of non-sentimentalism and punk attitudes are shared through up-tempo rhythms that break the tension and allow the audience to have fun while understanding the point the choreographers and dancers attempt to make.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kenya Smith, a senior dance major in Vaca\u2019s piece, said she found meaning in the dance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe piece means to me, being a rebel,\u201d Smith said. \u201cBeing a contemporary woman and facing the world. Taking on all those challenges and not being afraid to run down these challenges and being able to face them head-on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Along with bringing these stories to life within the world of dance, the department also uses other methods to bring focus to the feelings and ideals behind the dancers\u2019 technique. Whether it be lights, sounds or live footage, the department works hard with multimedia and tech to create a captivating experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For dance professor Rebecca Bryant, the use of these techniques, although entertaining to the audience, was a challenge to overcome behind the scenes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Within Bryant\u2019s piece, cameras and cords move along with the dancers to tell the story of invisible labor and secret heroes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a whole choreography of cords as well as dancing,\u201d Bryant said. \u201cBut it also, I hope, feels a bit simple because it lands on your eyes as one whole composition that\u2019s quite creative.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With each dance number approximately 20 minutes long, each choreographer had a chance to shine and share their vision.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just as Bryant had hoped, their hard work paid off. The audience cheered, smiling wide and screaming their support after the conclusion of each act.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Third-year dance major Michelle Delgado was one such audience member.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say [this show] is energetic. Unexpected. It plays with your emotions in a good way,\u201d Delgado said. \u201cIt gives you a little taste of creativity \u2026 discovering what you can understand from just the body movement.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the Dance Department, the work is not over yet. The department plans to have another concert in March 2026, with more to follow before the end of next semester.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And, for those still on the fence about whether to join in on the next concert, first-time concert attendee Hedric Pisigan from Mount San Antonio College shared some encouragement.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom this I learned \u2026 that dancing serves far more unique purposes than one might initially think,\u201d Pisigan said. \u201cAnd if you\u2019re interested in finding out what those purposes are and what dance can mean to someone else, or what it can mean to you, I would suggest that you attend the show.\u201d<\/p>\n
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