The Zodiaque Dance Company celebrated their 50th anniversary on Friday, Feb. 28, with the show running Thursday through the weekend. The dance included a unique blend of styles including flamenco, ballet, contemporary and jazz, each a marker of the artistry and hard work that went into it.
Founded in 1974 by Linda Swiniuch, Zodiaque’s vision of versatility and unique beauty still remains a staple principle of the company to this day.
The first number was a re-staging of an older choreography, a tradition carried through to honor the generations of dancers that came before. The projector was replaced by a backdrop of the Italian seaside, lights came on and the music faded in.
The dancer’s outfits were brightly colored but simple, their movements flowy and energetic, bright expressions lit up their faces as they led from one movement flawlessly into another. The piece moved through scenes of love, fighting, passion and playfulness.
The next number was a contemporary piece, the bright dresses were replaced by uniform black costumes, bringing the viewer’s eye towards the group, highlighting their symmetry. A soft acoustic arrangement played, contrasting the last number’s fun and whimsy. The dancers' synchronicity helped to create geometric shapes, their fluidity making them a living, breathing object that commands the stage and sends chills down the spines of breathless onlookers.
The third number was a jazz piece and an homage to the late great Ella Fitzgerald. Dressed in waistcoats and pants in a bright auburn color, the costumes took on a jazz meets modernity theme that helped bring the old timey feel into the modern age. This number was an allusion to the past, using props that highlight the talent of Fitzgerald and her contemporaries.
The last number was a tap inspired piece set to Madonna’s vogue. It was a tribute to all the queer people that lost their lives during the AIDS epidemic. This piece was perhaps the most powerful of all, set with blinding lights, decadent black and white costumes and a runway through the middle of the stage where all the dancers got to take their turns strutting their stuff. Starting out small and then progressively growing more and more intricate with each step, this piece was most certainly one of the more difficult ones to execute, and execute it they did.
As Kerry Ring, a professor and Artistic Director of Zodiaque Dance company so aptly put it, the performance is about how, “the audience and the dancers are getting trained in seeing and appreciating and dancing multiple styles of dance.”
Ring explained that, “Many people have this sense that like, I don’t do dance. I don't understand it. I don't really like it. And I think it's really just a matter of the audience sitting there with an open mind and realizing that some of these pieces might really inspire them.”
When it came to the overall theme of the performance and the motto of the company itself, there was really a strong push for versatility.
Ring mentioned, “We sort of leaned into the richness that we have on campus. So we have many faculty choreographers… We also have an MFA student who set a piece and one local choreographer… But really we just wanted to sort of uplift all of the core great choreography that we have here in our studios at UB.”
The company really does put an emphasis on creating a community in and around the dance program.
As Nathan Eck, a junior dance major said, “there's a lot of fire, a lot of passion, not just from the dancers but from the choreographers and the tech crew, the costumers. I love how passionate everyone is about their craft and their desire to share a message to the audience, a lot to be said.”
Kelly Quinn, a senior dance major, echoed these sentiments explaining how the performance is meant to evoke “feelings of creativity, melancholy.” She further explained that the mantra of the company is “versatility matters,” the importance of this message shows how “there are so many different styles and voices to be shared.”
What can be expected of this dance company, in this and all future performances well, a lot of fun, a lot of creativity, versatility of course, and a lot of love.
As Violet Schraver, a sophomore dance major described it, “you can expect good vibes and budding artistry. I think the community vibe we’ve built through the company will come through and showcase our love for dance and each other.”
The arts desk can be reached at arts@ubspectrum.com
