The JSC Dance Ensemble presented a solid and often-inspiring evening at their semi-annual fall performance in Dibden on Nov. 30 and Dec.1.

The performance offered a plethora of cultural dance, hip hop, lyrical, modern, jazz, and tap, through which a number of choreographers expressed their abilities.

The performance began with a poem danced by Jaleesa Jones, who pop-and-locked her way through words, explaining the meaning of dance as something done and improved on. Jones presented a meaningful focus that carried its way through the performance. Her reading of the poem was also an indicator of her ability not only as a dancer but as a choreographer: she created an innovative hip hop dance to the song “Kiss Kiss” by Chris Brown, with moves unique to the Dibden stage.

“Dude Looks Like a Lady” was choreographed by all the participating dancers—Samantha Barrett, Caitlyn Dias, Mallory Hazen, Nicki Lefaivre, Jenn Lindsey, and Kate Severence, the majority of whom choreographed other dances in the show. This dance was unique because of its use of dance bars and chairs as props on stage. Character play was also a large aspect of this dance in which, instead of the Dude looking like a lady, the ladies looked like dudes.

In comparison with many of the more innovative numbers, “Clothes Off,” choreographed by Jen DiNova, and “Breath,” choreographed by Andrea Haas, seemed to offer mostly the same rock/ballet movements from previous performances and for this viewer did not hold anything fresh besides ‘spanky shorts,’ a new clothing item the dance club seemed to love this year.

Jennifer Taylor’s dance in “Can’t Sleep at Night” was a short performance that touched upon the issues of insomnia. Taylor did an excellent job creating scary emotion and choreographing the dance so the dancers would be unified with their movements. Her second dance, “Limp,” was also a success. In “Limp,” Taylor made the stage feel full by making the most of stage space and applying varied layers and changes in height.

The more traditional dances shown in the performance were an Irish step-tap combination and a traditional hula. Vonnie Ogilvie, a exceptional dancer who has been practicing Irish step since she was 10 years old, and Shaun Rowe, a well-rounded performer and athlete with a love of tap, collaborated on the choreography of a dance they called “Irish Reels.” The dance was inspiring, Ogilvie and Rowe performed well together, and it was enhanced by Ogilvie’s traditional Irish step costume.

Mollie Norcross brought hula to the Dibden stage. The dance, “Kawaipunahele,” was the hula performed on her high school graduation day. The dance and song were both incredibly serene and intimate, and the combinations of arm and leg movements lulled the audience into a calm euphoria.

Catie Boone and Meredith Kenton performed to the song “Sweet Rain.” Boone and Kenton are two choreographers who are new to the Dibden stage, and they constructed a beautiful dance with complex partner interactions and height levels that enhanced the story quality of the performance.

Caitlyn Dias was an exceptional performer in this show, choreographing a solo piece to John Denver’s “Calypso,” a piece dedicated to her Grammy Bobbie, who recently passed away. At the end of Dias’ performance, her four younger siblings came onto the stage, all of whom have a love of dance. Dias’ sister, Willow Beccia, performed a solo dance that was the least contrived and the most creative hip hop in the show. She did an amazing job performing the choreography and even broke into some break dancing.

Overall, the Fall 2007 JSC Dance Ensemble performance was a success. The club’s ability to work together and have fun was clear to all who attended this delightful evening of creative motion.