BY SUNNY COWELL

In print | April 10, 2008

Exploding with the exuberance of adrenalized ‘08-ers, the catcalls of the legendary Patricia Kelly ’08, the cheers of a core group of faithful Rhythm-N-Motion fans and the expectant applause of the regular spectators, Saturday’s Rhythm N Motion Spring 2008 Dance Concert was not to be missed. The concert was a chance for 15 graduating seniors to have their last few moments in the spotlight, for an eager audience to revel in the rhythms and dances of African Diaspora and for the dance company to incorporate into their performance students and organizations whose work resonated with RnM’s mission of bringing to the forefront that which is often overlooked.

As students crammed into even the most abandoned, seemingly nonfunctional corners of LPAC and competitive shouts of call-and-return culminated in the customary verbal battle of the classes, the pre-performance build up was just as spirited backstage as it was in the theater: “There’s no feeling like being in the wings seconds before the show and hearing class numbers, names and of course, Patricia Kelly screaming — then the all too familiar tune of Magalehna…Showtime!” RnM member Nicole Nfonoyim ’08 said.

Showtime came and the sounds of the traditional “Magalenha” beat on, male dancers cloaked in all white and female dancers dressed in white tops and colorful, snuggly wrapped skirts whirled and ricocheted across the stage before the current members of the R-N-M executive board came out to introduce themselves — only to receive a surprise visit from Swarthmore’s very own brightly-feathered mascot. Though Carmella Ollero ’09 attempted to teach the gawky phoenix “the running man,” the bird, to the great amusement of everyone in the crowd, was not quite able to master her smooth and fluid motions.

Once the newest feathered addition to Swarthmore’s campus fled the stage, Jean Chung ‘09 and G. Patrick ’10 took the spotlight in their hip-hop inspired attire and performed a dance they choreographed to the tune of Bobby Valentino’s “Anonymous,” a piece based on Korean choreography. Starting off with bright red lights and silhouettes, the dance was sensual, up-beat, slinky and confrontational. Though each movement was charged immense intensity and precision, Chung and Patrick managed to remain impressively in sync with each other.

Introducing a change of pace into the concert, Eva McKend ‘11 gave the audience a break from the up-beat rhythms of African Diaspora dance moves with a powerful spoken word performance. McKend’s reflections on race, class, inequality and love were poignant and nuanced, speaking to childhood perception and the act of confronting reality. The short, politically motivated pieces continued during the latter part of the concert, when senior dancers joined with NOLArize, a student group formed to help New Orleans rise again after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, to celebrate New Orleans culture with a large-scale, energetic dance coordinated by John Boucard ’10 to “The Cupid Shuffle.”

“Having the opportunity to share ‘The Cupid Shuffle’ with the audience was so much fun and I hope it made people think about the work that remains to be done in New Orleans,” NOLArize member Mara Phelan ’10 said.

After this New Orleans-inspired dance, Boucard himself took the stage to perform another spoken word piece that supported NOLArize’s efforts to rebuild the city; Boucard’s poem was framed as a public service announcement and explored the poor conditions that still exist in New Orleans today. “The combination of Romane’s opening, Eva’s poem, the NOLArize piece and Lily and Omar’s piece added a political dimension to the show that I really appreciated,” Charmaine Giles ’10 said.

The political elements of the concert ultimately transitioned toward “Everybody Smile,” a piece choreographed by Amanda Preston that started with black silhouettes against a colorful backgdrop and featured dancers dressed as toys who performed stiff, robotic movements and then to “Dedication,” a dance that Brandon Washington ‘08, the subject of many a RnM entertaining home video, choreographed for all of his friends and loved ones. The piece featured Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” and Musiq Soulchild’s “Greatest Love.”

At the end of the night, the senior class poignantly and nostalgically danced together for the last time as members of RnM to a number that featured Juan Lois Guerra’s “El Farolito,” Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Let’s Groove,” MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This,” T.O.K.‘s “Galang Gal” and Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music.” The seniors’ final moments in the spotlight ultimately culminated in a sentimental performance to “This Is How We Do It.” “I loved it. I really liked all of the senior pieces,” Cecelia Osowski ‘10 said about the concert’s finale.

“My experience as an RnM dancer has been truly humbling.” Nfonoyim said after the show. “It has been such an honor sharing the stage with such beautiful and talented people.”

Additional reporting by Anna Zalokostas.

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