Hypnotiq and Blue Strut spiced up the night with their dances last weekend in Steinbach Theater.
“I thought the show was really well done. I really enjoyed the performances and the music, and I could see [the dancers’] emotions from their dances … I really enjoyed myself,” said Laz Nyamakazi ’13.
Darkness fell over the stage, and after a moment of complete stillness, the members of Hypnotiq lit up the stage in time to the blasting music that engulfed the room. Hypnotiq opened the night with their performance of “Work,” choreographed by co-head Katie Fanikos ’11.
Following the opening stage by Hypnotiq, members of Blue Strut performed “Alors on Danse,” choreographed by Carolyn Harmeling ’11, this year’s co-head of Blue Strut along with Juli Brandano ’12.
The Blue Strut piece featured elegant and continuous moves that contrasted with Hypnotiq’s strong hip-hop moves.
“I liked how Hypnotiq was very hip-hop and Blue Strut was very modern. They used a lot of ballet and other dance styles,” said Richard Levy ’13.
Hypnotiq and Blue Strut continued to impress the audience, taking turns to show their unique routines in the spotlight.
The audience tapped their feet to the music and cheered on the dancers when the members of Hypnotiq performed “Wall to Wall with Cupid in the Rain,” a piece choreographed by Hypnotiq’s three co-heads Fanikos, Sheya Jabouin ’11 and Amber Quiñones ’11.
Next came Blue Strut’s “You Don’t Miss Your Water,” a performance that put the spotlight on Brandano, Georgia Pelletier ’11 and Rochelle Wilbun ’13. The soft vocal music along with their fluid dance moves had a calm and soothing effect. The individual routine sewn throughout the performance really made the piece distinctive.
“OMG…Thoia Thoing” featured dances choreographed by Fanikos and Mandisa Mjamba ’10. The dance started with the three Hypnotiq co-heads with Cherita Moore ’12 joining them in the second half. The interchanging number of dancers on the stage made the performance one of the most intricate and captivating.
The show also featured the Lawrence Movement Crew, who performed dances that they choreographed at the end of the first act of the show.
Brandano said, “The highlight for me was watching the Lawrence Movement Crew perform … I think they really enjoyed being on stage.”
After a brief intermission, Blue Strut returned to the stage with “Barracuda,” a dance they had performed for Grasshopper Night this year.
The energetic moves in “Barracuda” caught the audience attention and they watched the dancers with awe. Every kick and swing was coordinated effectively and the varying dance parts added variation and fun to the piece.
Harmeling picked “Barracuda” as her favorite dance this year. She said, “I think it was some of the best choreography we have ever come up with, and the dance was so high energy and lots of fun to perform. I also got a chance to choreograph a dance for all the seniors of blue strut this spring, which was awesome. I tried to give each senior a part made specifically for them, to play up their strengths and give them a spotlight.”
“U Make Me XR2,” choreographed by Quiñones and Fanikos, showcased all the members of Hypnotiq. The turning, spinning and swapping of chairs kept the audience on the edge of their seats. All the dancers performed these difficult moves flowingly and flawlessly.
Three Blue Strut dancers, Harmeling, Kristina Rex ’11 and Madeline Silva ’13 performed “Crossroads,” a number designed by Rex. The blues tunes provided a cool rhythm to the piece that the dancers emphasized with claps and snaps.
Following the Blue Strut piece, members of Hypnotiq moved to “Lost in the World” by Kanye West, an act they performed at this year’s Dance Open. The dance began with a single dancer in the center of the stage and just as the beats became more intense, more dancers joined in.
Hypnotiq showcased impressive moves with energy and charisma, using their hands to create drama and ending their dance with a strong slap.
The two groups came together for the finale, a remix of “Till the World Ends” by Britney Spears. Both groups moved in perfect sync, showcasing their talent for the final time.
Satisfied with the show, Quiñones said in an e-mail to The Phillipian, “I was exceedingly proud of the caliber of choreography and skill in dancing that both Hypnotiq and Blue Strut exhibited at the show. Both groups worked hard and put in extra practices the week of the show, and I think that despite some minor glitches, it really paid off. I still don’t think it has really sit in yet that that was my last show with Hypnotiq ever.”
The show ended with the announcement of next year’s co-heads for each of the dance groups.
Next year’s Hypnotiq co-heads are Unwana Abasi ’13, Cherita Moore ’12 and Borkeny Sambou ’12. Maddie Kim ’12 will be joining Brandano as Blue Strut co-head.
Abasi said, “I’m really looking forward to working with Borkeny and Cherita. Our plans won’t really be set in stone until we meet, but for now we can only brainstorm about auditions and Grasshopper ideas.”
