This past November, Zodiaque Dance Ensemble's "Celebration 30" gala was held in honor of the success the company has seen in the last three decades. The show featured choreography by alumni, representing the past, present and future. There was also an award ceremony.
A continued celebration of the dance group's three decades at UB lit up the Center for the Arts Friday evening.
"Celebration 30 - Dances On" is a low profile performance in comparison. Dancing to a small, yet welcoming audience of friends and family, the student dance company of 32 recreated the emotional reunion of "Celebration 30," without the awards and black-tie dress code.
While a handful of pieces from last semester's show were kept, several new pieces were added. A tropical-themed song about a trip around the world, guest alumnus Doug Weyand's "I'd Be Foolish Not to Stay" showed a glimpse of sunshine. Weyand, an Artvoice Artie Award-winning choreographer and director, is currently represented by MusicalFare's "Song and Dance," which has already extended its run.
The company poured their hearts out to the audience in the evening's seven works. However, within almost every dance there existed a medley of styles with many elements, making each number unique.
The powerful choreography of alumnus Joe Celej in his "Under Wraps" was one of the numbers carried over from the fall show. Because of the varying elements and strong group of dancers in the modern piece, it is an audience favorite.
"Under Wraps" is my favorite because of the intensity. Especially (lead dancer) Nicole Calabrese - she does not break her intensity," said Bethany Moore, a freshman musical theater major. "The dancing is amazing. The whole number is very focused."
Also of note is "Steel Petals," a representation of a day in the life of a woman. The choreography by UB graduate Sheri Celentano was well interpreted by the dancers, who were adorned in soft white and lightly shaded purple frayed and tattered costumes.
According to Elizabeth Ubanczyk, a freshman musical theater major, the costumes that represented the woman's life and emotions were her favorite.
"The costumes fit each piece very well. They compliment the dancers and show the movement," said Urbanczyk. "Because the dance is all about the body and the muscles, you get to see everything work."
The solid backdrop of rotating vibrant colors added a classic ambiance to the modern program. Although each piece had many contemporary components within, altering in focus and form, there was still a constant modern theme throughout the entire evening.
The performances were consistent; however the particular magic found in this past fall's "Celebration" simply wasn't there.
Nevertheless, students in attendance found the unique choreography entertaining because of the way the movements were used to represent social matters. This was especially prevalent in "Steel Petals," which presented theories regarding modern women, ranging from the traditional feminist to the quirky.
"It is great to just watch. It exercises your imagination because a lot of the moves are very symbolic," said Chris Critelli, a freshman musical theater major. "They really have a lot of interesting representations, like conformists versus non-conformists."
"Celebration 30 - Dances On" continues through Feb. 22 in the CFA's Drama Theater. Tickets cost $6 for students, $15 for the general public and are available at the CFA box office and all Ticketmaster locations.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
