Offering a surprisingly deep, artistic diversion from everyday activity, UB's Zodiaque Dance Company put on a visually and mentally stimulating opening performance Wednesday night in the CFA's Drama Theatre.
Upon entering the theatre, each member of the audience was given two gemstones. With these stones came influence. One of the numbers in the show was performed twice, once in both acts. The audience decided which genre of music was to be played for the second viewing.
The purpose of this was to show the audience how music influences one's interpretation and meaning of the piece. Some of the choices included big band, French folk, blues, and Italian opera. During the inaugural performance, instrumental jazz was played. The audience chose big band.
Dancing were two women dressed in black, who seemed to be playing with various imaginary objects, such as glasses, tightropes and string. With jazz coming through the speakers, a playful, fun and explorative vibe was created.
Immediately, a dancer made the different parts of the choreography more dominant than before. Lyrics of love and companionship made the number seem more about the interaction between the two dancers than the objects they are occupied by.
"It's a clever idea. I've never thought deeply about the music selection before," said Chris Lonzi, business major.
Each number in Zodiaque 34 possesses its own theme, and the company never veered away from it. In one of the pieces about the subconscious, three dancers wore white to represent reality and three wore black to symbolize people undergoing hypnosis.
The choreographer continued to stress the idea of fighting for control through interactions between dancers in black and white throughout the dance.
Quick, choppy movements helped to create a frantic, unsettling atmosphere as the dancers of consciousness made gestures that seemed to awaken their patients at the end of the number.
Many pieces in the concert showcased interpretive dance, which is deeper than a lyrical style. With lyrical dance interpretation, dancers move to the words of a song and acted out the story being told. Zodiaque's style of dance has the ability to bring more meaning and emotion to their choice of music than currently exists.
The last number of the show was about hope and never being defeated. A dancer in white was raised and lowered by the hands of dancers in black. The dance showed how adversity can bring people down, and how they can rise above it by not giving up.
When the resilient dancer looked into the eyes of everyone in black, the audience could see her confront her fears and begin to overcome obstacles. This poetic dance held the audience's attention and forced them to think about the meaning behind the movements on stage.
"They have a lot of energy, and it really feels like opening night," said Lauren Hodsdon, music theatre major.
The Zodiaque style of dance is one unique to the company. Fundamentals of dance, such as the stag jump, attitude, and rond de jambe are incorporated with innovative moves to create enticing visual performances. Some find it refreshing to see the pointed toe and turn-out leave the stage every now and then.
"They seem to just get better and better as they go along," said Taylor Frisina, music theatre major, in regards to the dance routines.
The costumes weren't flashy or ornate, allowing the audience to concentrate on the movement of the dancers instead of their appearance. There was, on the other hand, a wide range of music in the show, shifting from electronica to tribal, to new age and even classic orchestration. There was diversity within every aspect of the show - the choreographers, music, themes, lighting, and style.
For an impressive evening with enthusiastic talented dancers, make it out to Zodiaque 34, running until Oct. 21 in the CFA.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
