Spring dance concert highlights circus

A number of student dancers are getting revved up for the Spring Dance Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, April 8-9, in the Fannin Performance Hall.

Gina Sawyer, visiting scholar, said this year's theme, "Cirque," relates to the circus. Student choreographers choose to take either the dark or the light side of it.

"Every student has a different perspective of what Cirque means to them, and they are allowed to research that in movement," Sawyer said.

Sawyer said the fun of the spectacle, of the leaps, turns and gymnastics is the light side of the show, whereas objectification of people who have extreme oddities might be more of the dark connotation.

"I think there will be a lot of razzle-dazzle and sheer entertainment," Sawyer said. "The costumes are very colorful."

Jennifer Rose, professional support staff III, is also in the show as guest artist and joint choreographer for the opening number entitled, "Cirque," which includes her and five other dancers.

"I'm dancing with a hula hoop," Rose said. "I have a hula hoop business. I make and sell them for adults. The ones you could buy at the toy store are too small and too light for adults to use."

Rose said her hula hoops are heavier - about two pounds each at least and fit between your belly button and your sternum.

"I do all kinds of different things with them to move the hula hoop," she said.

In the last 10 years or so, Rose said there has been a resurgence of the hula hoop as a fitness tool and in performance arts. It started in California.

Rose said she has been "dance hooping" for the last three years and has classes in her shop, which is on the south side of a building on Lamar in downtown Dallas.

"The entire theme [of Cirque] is a circus theme. Each number is going to be an interpretation of a circus motif," Rose said. "I'm really excited about it. Everyone has put so much work into it and positive energy that I think it's going to be a fabulous show."

Lacie Burris, 17, a dance major and one of the student choreographers in the show, said she enjoys hip hop and modern, but does every type of dance, includi   

Burris is choreographing a piece in the show entitled "Incredible Incredible," which includes six dancers, including herself. She's also in five other pieces.

"My piece is about a machine (not a literal machine) that translates to how every show or production works like a well-oiled machine," Burris said. Every person has his place and his job.

Burris said she chose this piece to choreograph because it had been on her mind for a long time and she had to figure out a way to make it work for this particular show. It's her first semester at Richland.

"Being here has helped me to become a leader in dance," Burris said. "It's my first attempt at choreographing in a real show."

Burris said people will enjoy Cirque because it's so diverse and a good mix of different styles and types.

"There's something for everyone," Burris said.