Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department February 1, 2010

Cal Poly has a well known Theatre and Dance Department. Providing dance classes as well as classes about dance history, it covers all aspects of the sport.

The dance classes provided for beginners are: ballet, ballroom, jazz, modern, and tap. These classes provide the basic steps to learning the technique of each style. For example, in a beginning ballet class you will learn five basic positions, seven movements of dance, terminology, and other basic knowledge.

Once you have taken these pre-requisites you can begin taking intermediate class, which include: ballet, modern, jazz, and ballroom. An intermediate jazz class requires you to have taken DANC 133. In this division they expand on extensive movement vocabulary.

Each dance class taken can earn every student no more than six credits.

“Eighty percent of your grade is just participation, and how you improve over time. Which is basically your attendance and work ethic. Ten percent is a written final. I think the last 10 percent is the essay we have to write,” said freshman at Cal Poly, Kelsey La Tourette.

Other courses provided by the program discuss the theoretical and historical context of dance. Dance in American Theatre is a class that focuses on major works that deals with multicultural, class, gender, and other issues in American history.

In order to become a dance minor, you must complete at least thirty units within the program. You are also required to have at least a 2.0 GPA.

If you are interested in joining Orchesis then looking deeper into the dance classes provided by the department is in your best interest. You are required to take dance classes in order to be considered apart of the performing company.

Starting February 26 at 8 p.m., Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department will be putting on Federico García Lorca’s “Blood Wedding.” There will be a total of seven showings, with a matinee act starting at 2 p.m. on March 7.

This show will be bilingual and contain both the English and Spanish language. Thirteen actors will use music, dance, and poetry to express a story of three people who are trapped in an ongoing spiral of love, tradition, pain, and honor.

If you have never had any official training in dance, the Theatre and Dance Department is something to consider. Introducing dance into your curriculum can be a good way to learn the history and techniques of dance.

Theatre and Dance Company

Dance Shop January 27, 2010

Today, while walking in Downtown San Luis Obispo, I came across a store called Dance Shop- a place that sells dance attire. It provides all the clothing any performer could ever need in dance. From leotards to ballet flats, everything was provided

It is located on Morro Street, which is right off of Higuera Street. Being tucked away it is obvious that this store doesn’t receive much traffic.

The moment I walked in, a friendly face was there to greet me. I was immediately asked if I needed any help or if I was looking for anything in particular. I simply came to browse and the worker did not hover over my every move, which was a relief.

I continued to browse the store, and I came to realize that it provided attire for all styles such as ballet, jazz, hip hop, and even ballroom. Looking through the leotards they had one in every color. Whether you are interested in a plain black or vibrant yellow leotard, the Dance Shop will have what you’re looking for.

What caught my attention most was that they had sweats that are typically worn to hip hop classes. The “baggy” style is difficult to find because most dance shops concentrate on form-fitting clothing. This is because ballet and jazz are the more dominant dance styles and form-fitting clothing is typically required.

Walking past the sweats I noticed form-fitting pants. This dance attire is universal for almost any dance style because it provides comfort and moves with your body.

When I moved on to looking at the spandex shorts, which are worn in jazz routines for flexibility, I continued to notice the great customer service provided by the store. An older gentleman had previously ordered shoes from the store and the workers made sure the shoes fit appropriately and were exactly what the man ordered.

Right next to the spandex shorts and leotards were the shoes. They had different styles of ballet shoes, for whatever level you are in. Canvas and leather ballet flats were put on display along with tap shoes and ballroom heels. Looking down the shelf I noticed jazz sneakers, which are typically worn in jazz and/or hip hop routines.

Finding Dance Shop proved that dancers can still find the perfect attire or whatever they need for their dance careers right in their own home.

Dance Shop's Location

Dance Shop in SLO January 27, 2010

Orchesis: Cal Poly’s Dance Company January 25, 2010

Orchesis is a dance company at Cal Poly. It focuses on performances, and looks for dedicated dancers who have a passion for the sport.

Orchesis is good for those who have been previously involved in dance. If you danced before enrolling at Cal Poly, this dance company would be a way to get re-involved in the performing world again. It’s a place where people come together for the same reason- a passion for dancing.

Orchesis is commonly confused with Cal Poly’s Dance Team. These two dance programs are not associated with each other. Both have different goals. Cal Poly’s Dance team focuses on cheering at sporting events. Orchesis is considered a performing dance organization and requires a higher demand of technique from its dancers.

The company typically consists of 25 to 30 dancers. Each member differs in their level of experience, and what style they specialize in.

Dancers interested in Orchesis are required to audition the first week of fall quarter. There are two workshops for potential members to attend, where they learn a modern, ballet, and jazz routine. Each dancer is then given a time-slot to audition in front of a panel of judges.

Because Orchesis is an academic organization, you must be enrolled in Dance 345 and 346 in order to be considered an Orchesis member. You do not need to be a dance minor to become a part of the company.

You do not always need to be a member of Orchesis to dance with the company. The company accepts many non-members to participate in certain routines; this occurs when a current member cannot fill the demands of a routine.

The most anticipated event put on by Orchesis is the company’s winter dance concert. The first performance of the concert will be held January 29 at 8 p.m. The cover charge is 10$ for general admission and 10$ for students. There will be five other dance performances, the last one will be held on February 6.

Approximately 2,500 people attend the winter dance concert. Each of the performances will be held in Cal Poly’s Spanos Theatre.

Orchesis’ winter dance concert is a great opportunity to see young talent and different kinds of dance styles and routines.

Winter Dance Concert

Quiz on Dance in San Luis Obispo January 20, 2010

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Hip Hop Congress (Cal Poly Chapter) January 19, 2010

Cal Poly has finally hit the streets. The Hip Hop Congress Club is making itself known here on campus, and is influencing the essence of hip hop into many of the students. With meetings every Thursday at six pm, the history of hip hop and its roots is becoming more prominent.

The club concentrates on DJ-ing, MC-ing, graffiti art, and most importantly break dancing. Hip Hop Congress has its own B-Boy crew. B-Boying is a form of hip hop dance which concentrates on break dancing. Break dancing is more than just fancy and difficult freezes but includes footwork as well. This style of dance is very important to keep alive because this is where hip hop started.

Many dance opportunities are provided by Hip Hop Congress. Dance classes are typically held on Saturdays that anyone can participate in for a small fee.

The upcoming event promoted by Hip Hop Congress is Affinity Dance Workshop 2. It will take place this Saturday, January 23^rd, and will be held at American Dance of SLO, located on 3195 McMillan Ave. A workshop is typically where experienced dance teachers, who have participated in commonly known events or are on well-established dance crews, teach routines.

There will be three hours worth of dance classes during this day. Serena Yang will teach the first hour, from noon to 1 p.m., which will be a lyrical hip hop fusion routine catered to intermediate learners. A contemporary fusion style of dance will be taught from one to two pm by Kyle Limin. Following this will be a class from 2 to 3 p.m., which will be for intermediate and advanced dancers who will learn a hip hop styled routine by Chris Aguon.

Take the classes for $10 each, or three classes for $25.

Workshops are a good way to get involved in dance because there are many choreographers in one environment; this allows you to pick which style you want to try out and which one you don’t. It is also a lot easier to compare all the different styles of dance that are within the hip hop culture by going to events such as the Affinity Dance Workshop 2.

On March 6, 2010 there will be an Affinity Cultural Hip Hop Showcase but more information will be provided at a later date. If you enjoy the workshop this Saturday then this will be something to look into as a further step in advancing your dance career.

Hip Hop Congress

Cal Poly Salsa Club January 13, 2010

The dance style drawing more and more interest is salsa, which is notorious for its sexy vibes and passion. Cal Poly’s Salsa Club knows exactly the right steps to get people interested in every way. Through lessons and events, the club continues to draw in a countless number of people.

Cal Poly’s Salsa Club meets every Friday night at eight for a small participant fee of five dollars. “There are beginner lessons, and they teach you the basic steps of salsa. After that, there is a free for all basically in which more people come and dance”, said Nick Taylor, a first year at Cal Poly.  The lessons end at 9 p.m., and then the open salsa dancing begins.

Not only are lessons provided but the club puts on many types of events. From weekly events to more extravagant ones, there is something for everyone.

A general event that is provided by the club is the upcoming Salsa & WCS Dance Party. It will be held on January 23 starting at eight pm. Ruby Karen will conduct a two-hour workshop, followed by a night of dancing.”

The event that is coming up that is greatly anticipated is the Tri-Masquerade. It will be held on January 30 from 6 pm to 12 am. There will be three rooms; each room will contain either salsa, west coast swing, and blues. You will be able to find the Salsa Club this Thursday at downtown during the Farmer’s Market promoting this event.

Cal Poly’s Salsa club isn’t only for Cal Poly students. They welcome anyone who is interested in this style of dance. Whether old or young, this club will still continue to provide the passion that it holds to any participant. The club isn’t all ran by students, many of the instructors are well experienced salsa dancers.

The club is very easy to join. You simply go to the club’s website and sign up. By being a member you get free lessons and half off events and workshops. If you are not a member this does not mean you are not allowed to participate in anything put on by the Salsa club.

The Salsa Club welcomes everyone, and if you’ve been too scared to branch out into this dance style now is the time.

Members dancing on a Friday night.

The Grad January 11, 2010

The new place to go on Wednesday nights: The Graduate. The Graduate is a restaurant/night club that caters to college students. What’s different about this club is that you don’t always need to be 21 to enter..

Wednesday nights are all the hype for college students. The Graduate refers to this night as “College Hump Night.” The dress code encourages dancers to “dress to impress.” On this night all of the popular music of today is played. Wednesday’s are a special event at The Graduate because it is the night that attracts the most of our young generation. It provides the same atmosphere of a regular night club, and this is why college students continue to go. “The first Wednesday of the month is always the best because that’s when everybody goes,” said Dom Paradela, a student at Cal Poly. “College Hump Night” requires a ten dollar charge in order to enter the club.

The Graduate caters to every dance style, and each day of the week has a different theme. Not only does it provide today’s popular hip hop music but it also has “Country Night.” On Thursdays, the style of dance changes to line dancing. The cover charge is $10

Every Friday The Graduate promotes “Latin Explosion.” It plays all of the popular Latin music, which includes: Cumbia, Salsa, Meringue, Rock and Pop en Espanol. The people who go to the night club on this night are most notorious for salsa dancing. Just go to the quote: “People come all of the way from Santa Maria for salsa night,” Cal Poly freshman Briana Vaughn said. Just as Wednesdays and Thursdays, “Latin Explosion” requires a 10$ cover charge as well.

The first Saturday of the month requires you to be twenty-one or older, and dance hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s are played. This Saturday, January 9^th, it will be the Graduate’s 35^th Anniversary. This night will only cost five dollars.

The Graduate does its best to reach those of all ages. Those who are between the ages of 13 and 18 are still allowed to attend The Graduate on Sunday nights.

The Graduate is just 10 minutes from Cal Poly and offers something fun to do if you just want to dance and have a good time.”