April brings to mind many things: longer days, lighter coats, freak snow showers ... and the annual spring semester Sarabande show, a collaboration of performances from Sarabande and other Tufts groups. Senior Brienne Graber, head of public relations for the Sarabande dance ensemble, called the show, named "Attitude" this year," a "cool way to get all the dance groups together."
Dance groups such as TDC, SOC, Blackout, Tufts Irish Dance Collective and Turbo will be performing at Friday night's show, along with the comedy sketch group Major: Undecided. The variety of the student groups performing at the show is reflected in Sarabande's own repertoire.
"This show is different than other Sarabande performances because we have a lot of non-ballet shows this semester. There's a lot of jazz, a lot of modern and even a little hip-hop mixed in," Graber said. "It's going to be a really well-rounded show."
Sarabande is known for its members' strong dance backgrounds, and this semester's show reveals a unique medley of enthusiastic '70s disco, expressive ballet and tap, and even a mock-fight scene to "Pirates of the Caribbean" (2003) music. The opening number, performed to "Hot Lunch Jam" by Irene Cara and choreographed by Graber, illustrates the extent of the Sarabande's talent. Clad in conventional dance clothes, the dancers begin in shadow, striking deconstructed dance poses.
The song slowly warps into synchronized aerobic poses circa a 1980s workout video (Cara also wrote the theme to "Flashdance"[1983], then shifts to a tap sequence, and finally swings into freestyle club dancing.
Though they are traditionally known for classical ballet, Sarabande's dancers had no trouble adapting to this semester's varied styles.
"All of us have classical ballet training, but we have experience in other areas of dance, too. We try to branch out, and this semester's show is a great example of that," Graber said.
During auditions, the members of Sarabande consider more than a dancer's talent or training. Creativity and a willingness to experiment are also important.
"There are a lot of other factors that affect whether or not you get in. I feel like Sarabande is more competitive than other dance groups on campus," Graber said. "We try to be fair, and we look for well-rounded dancers."
The members of Sarabande are encouraged to choreograph dances as well as perform. Senior Erin Young, who choreographed a sweet, synchronized ballet to the song "Put Your Records On" by Corinne Bailey Rae, remarked that she had not choreographed prior to joining Sarabande. She commented that dances are often influenced by the music and the experience of the dancer, and that other members of the group provide input. Senior Megan Duane said that choreographing is like "writing a story to the music."
The dancers use different techniques to tell their stories. Junior Liza Voll, who choreographed to "Samba Magic" by Basement Jaxx, used blue lighting and undulating arm movements to simulate waves; the routine ends with the dancers carefully kneeling and folding over to signal a slow return to Earth.
Sophomore Cassie Wallace reveals a complex arrangement to Massive Attack's "Teardrops" (the theme song to the show "House"). She conceptualizes the juxtaposition of the light, soprano lyrics and steady, non-singing sections with delicate, fluid movements and simple struts across the stage.
Senior Stephanie Fowler uses the well-known theme to "Pirates of the Caribbean" to illustrate the links between the flamboyant mannerisms of Captain Jack Sparrow and the artful poses of a ballet dancer. Her dance culminates in a series of symbolic fight moves, showing the strength and control each of the dancers possesses.
The sense of community within Sarabande is immediately evident. Between dances, the members helped each other with costumes, reviewed moves and held impromptu dance-offs to '90s pop medleys.
"Beyond the dancing, it's a great experience. It's a small group, so we're very close, more so than in other years," Graber said.
