Harvard Dancers Light up Lowell Hall

Dancing to everything from the beat of "I'm Just a Girl" to the sway of "My Funny Valentine," 10 student organizations performed at the first annual Dance Day in Lowell Lecture Hall last night.

Co-produced by Kristen J. Campolattaro '99 and visiting University of Rochester student Danielle J. Zacks, the program brought together on-campus organizations and several professional acts.

The performers showcased their abilities in front of a near sell-out crowd that topped 300.

The producers also sponsored a post-performance dance party at Eliot House, where admission was free with a ticket stub.

The enthusiastic audience praised the event.

Valentin Dinu '99 said that he was particularly excited about the Eliot dance. "It's a good place to bring a date," he said.

Taylor L. Pollock '00 and her pre-frosh Rita Das were impressed by the performances.

The final dance, "Modern Bhangra"--a co-ed cultural dance performed by the South Asian Association--drew long and loud cheers from the crowd.

"They looked like they were having a lot of fun," Das said of the troupe.

Several audience members said they found some of the costumes distracting.

"I felt that the costumes were dubious," said Victoria Harris '00.

Lauren A. Wiebe '00 was more direct. "What is this?" she asked. "College girls' lingerie night?"

Many of the performers said they were pleased with the night.

Ballroom dancer Jaime Hurtado '96 said that the program brought together a good mix of many different styles of dance.

"It was great to get a taste of what other groups are out there," he said.

Tayla M. Weisbard of the Israeli Dance Troupe also enjoyed the diversity of the night.

"This is a great way to encourage all types of dancing," she said. "We really had a great time."

Also participating in the event were Ballet Folklorico de Aztlan, Harvard-Radcliffe Ballet Company, Harvard-Radcliffe Dance Company, Crimson Dance Team, Expressions, Mainly Jazz and Gumboots.