Sensual male dancers shine at first in series



Shireen Alihaji
Daily 49er
Contributing Writer


The most diverse and exhilarating set of dances came together at the Martha B. Knoebel Theatre, Feb. 24. It was made up of an array of fascinating subject matter and was altogether visually stimulating. Every topic from discovering one’s individuality to issues about being dissolved into cultural conformity was covered in the Cal State Long Beach Contemporary Dance Concert No.1.

Although there were many outstanding performances, the biggest crowd pleaser of the night was X/S. The piece started with a dim stage and two shadowy figures dancing to the hypnotic techno beat that became louder. There were no props or set design but only hard red and blue lights, flashing feverishly, creating more colors as the lights danced around the stage. When the lights became brighter the shadowy figures were revealed to be two, young topless men dancing to the hypnotic beat.

They performed sensual moves together and apart, which produced wolf howls in the audience. The two men also performed unbelievable acrobatic moves in the air and even on top of each other, creating a sense of surrealism that would only be experienced in reverie. After challenging sensual moves and acrobatic dances they walked off stage and returned with six more men. They all came together and did a dance in unison, causing the crowd to go wild.

While this may have been the biggest crowd pleaser, the other dances had notable elements that were beautiful and entertaining to the audience. Some of the elements produced in these pieces were done with great innovation when it came to set design, music and dance.

The first performance of the night cleverly depicted how a message could be distorted and transcend into a rumor with the assistance of unique body movements. The second performance transformed an everyday object into art when the choreographer decided to use camera flashes in the piece as a dancer expressed herself in different poses. The concert’s only tap number had a live band, which fostered many layers of the dance and really got everyone’s attention.

The dances that night were remarkable and capable of igniting emotion and contemplation within the viewer. This concert series is made up of many pieces, so you’re bound to leave with at least one favorite.

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