Dance Critique
On October 20, 2013 a dance performance called "Crystal Jubilee" took place in the NMSU Center of art it was combination of several types of dances in which we could see the participation of some dance companies, such as Contemporary Dance Theatre, Dancesport Company and Sol y Arena. As a famous Indian Proverb states, "To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak". At the beginning of the performance I was so excited as I usually do not attend this kind of events.
One of the first dances was "Blind Trust", it was Latin Dance Style most probably to be rumba, two couples performed in this dance, and they were dressed in a combination of blue. The music was "Track 8" by Police performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The lights were soft mood perfect for the type of dance they performed. The message behind this dance was trust as the title states, before they started dancing they covered their eyes showing the public the trust they had between each other to follow their steps.
The quality of their performance was very good; you could easily tell that they were advanced dancers. The atmosphere of the dance was romantic; it made me feel like they knew each other for a long time I could feel their connection as they were performing. Later two flamenco dances that were performed astonished me. The first one was “Farruca”. The music was “Farruca Solo Compas”. Their costume was the typical large flamenco dress, with their appropriate makeup and hairstyle.
The lights were perfect, as they started you could see their silhouettes performing and later they appeared. The quality of their performance was very good, sometimes they were not coordinated, but they did it with a lot of confidence and security. The atmosphere of the dance was so intense and the sound as they tapped their shoes against the floor you could feel the energy they were transmitting. In addition there was also the dance called “La primera vez” and it was also flamenco. The music was “Fue en Sevilla” by Salamarina.
This dance was as good as the previous flamenco one; you could also feel the intensity of the dance, it was like you just wanted to stand up and start dancing like them. Afterwards I think my favorite dance of the performance took place, it was called “Ode to the Borderlands”. The dance was a combination of several Latin dance styles. The music was “Arrecotin Arrecotan” by Celia Cruz, “Cuando Piendo en Ti” by Jose Feliciano, “Celia y Tito” by Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. The music was full of happiness and joy you could just smile by hearing to the songs.
Their costumes were not so formal but enough to look elegant. I think that the message was just to transmit us energy, happiness, enjoy the dance. The performance quality of the dancers was very good; you could easily tell that they were advanced dancers. The atmosphere of the dance was of cheerfulness, joy, contentment, it made me feel so good, I just wanted to learn more and dance like them. One of the last dances was “Looking Back, Love Song For Mom”. It was a contemporary dance. The music was “I Know You By Heart” by Diane Scanlon and Eve Nelson, sung by Eva Cassidy.
In this dance there was only one performer, the costume was perfect for the message that she wanted to transmit, and the light was good as we just wanted to focus on the dancer. The message was totally clear for the public and it was beautiful, it was a quick view on a mother’s life. The performance quality of the dancer was excellent. The atmosphere of the dance was of tenderness, it made me feel happy and kind of sad at the same time, because it remind me my mother and how she has fought for us all these years .
