Get into the groove: DanceWorks marks 20 years of dynamic performances

By: Jackie Saunders

Posted: 3/6/06

Warm stage light spilled over the dozen detectives as they flashed open their trench coats. Half expecting to hear the phrase, "go-go gadget" and see some sort of contraption shoot out of the dancers' hats or coats, audience members perched on the edge of their seats as the theme to "Inspector Gadget" brought back childhood memories.

Dancers displayed athleticism, grace and attitude during the 20th annual performance of of Syracuse University's DanceWorks last weekend. Dance lovers from every background and style packed Goldstein Auditorium. They were delighted to see everything from ballet and tap to jazz and hip-hop performed.

"I like watching my friends have fun onstage," said Lauren Biagini, a senior television, radio and film major. "It makes me feel like I can actually dance too."

A student-run organization, DanceWorks directors, producers and choreographers work together as a professional company in order to put together the 18 different routines.

Gina Piscopo, a senior producer of DanceWorks and communication sciences and disorders major, acknowledges the annual show is a painstaking process.

"We have been planning this since the summertime," Piscopo said. "Each choreographer auditions their piece and we choose based on what we are given."

The show included dances to Justin Timberlake's "Cry me a River," Guns N' Roses' "November Rain" and Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon."

Especially unique was choreographer Carolina Mendez Marti's dance "Baila Baila," which featured dancers in vibrant tropical colors and exuded a distinct Latin flavor.

The dance "Badman" showcased the much beloved "hip bump" of Will Smith and Carlton on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" that SU students have mimicked at sporting events.

Incorporating a fashion show in his piece, Christopher Joanis, a choreographer and senior television, radio and film and policy studies major, took great care in planning out "Be Cool." A two-year process, Joanis tried to stay modern with the music to give the audience something they can relate to.

"I think DanceWorks is definitely a staple of SU, especially in the past 20 years," Joanis said. "It is a right of passage. When you are at Syracuse you go to a basketball game and a DanceWorks performance."

Audience members agreed this performance proved to be one of the better ones in the last few years.

"This was the best one. It was completely different than previous years," said Diana Ganesh, who graduated in December of 2005. "It was more upbeat, kept me on the edge of my seat and didn't make me fall asleep."

Between dances, shouts of encouragement from performers' friends and family penetrated the darkness, often ending in friendly decibel competitions. The enthusiastic audience impressed dancers and directors alike.

Kendra-Lee Rosati, a co-director and senior public relations major, Rosati especially appreciated the support.

"It was amazing; we had a great crowd," Rosati said. "The dancers put in so much hard work and dedication. It is such a credit to this university."

The show ended with a tribute to the dancers who went before them with "Dancing Through the Years." Highlighting the past 20 years, the performers danced to Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone," Marky Mark's "Good Vibrations," Amber's "This is Your Night" and Jay-Z's "I Just Wanna Love You."

A bittersweet experience for seniors, Kristin Doto, who graduated in December of 2005, realized DanceWorks is a highlight in her college experience.

"What I enjoy most is you have over 100 members from all over the country with different styles from their studios and competitions they have participated in," Doto said. "In DanceWorks, we all come together and create one collective unit."