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The bi-annual Dance Off-Hand Concert gives everyone a chance to strut their stuff.
“It’s a student showcase in a way,” said Stephanie Wolpert, senior dance major and co-president of the Dance Majors and Minors Club. “It’s also a great way for people who want to choreograph to get started.”
Participants don’t have to be a dance major or minor; anyone can audition and be a part of the concert.
“We’ve had people from sororities who just get their girlfriends together,” Wolpert said. “If you have some Irish step dance, you can just submit your solo.”
This year English, architecture, psychology and political science majors are involved, as well as members from the community and a beginning tap dance class.
“I like to make sure people know about it and that they can do it,” Wolpert said.
It is a family-friendly show, so the auditions mostly make sure that the dances have appropriate costumes and music.
The concert happens every fall and spring.
Jamie Wollenberg, junior dance major, is performing in four dances, one with a non-dance major.
“I’m doing a ballet with a guy who has never done dance in his life,” Wollenberg said.
Wollenberg will be performing a contemporary ballet, a classical ballet, a lyrical and a piece from the 18th century called “Beceppe,” a dance from her Dance History class.
“I like performing,” Wollenberg said. “In stuff like this you can perform as much as you want.”
Wollenberg said that in other dance events, the dancers are limited to a certain number of dances they can be in.
“The pieces (in the Dance Off-Hand Concert) tend to be shorter and more fun, and you can be in as many as you want” Wollenberg said. “This is just so much more relaxed.”
Swing, tap, jazz and hip-hop are other types of dancing that the concert will host.
“It’s definitely entertainment,” Wolpert said.
The proceeds from the concert go toward scholarships funded by the Dance Majors and Minors Club, for dancers who attend conferences held by the American College Dance Festival Association.
ACDFA is a dance conference held nationwide and divided into regions and clubs at specific universities.
Once a year, dance departments from all over the country attend a two-to-three-day-long conference ADCFA hosts.
“You take dance classes all day and then go to concerts at night,” Wolpert said. “You’re in it non-stop.”
Each university submits pieces that are then judged, and the top 10 are picked to showcase on the last night.
“You get to be with professionals and get a taste of the professional world,” Wolpert said.
UI has attended for the last eight to 10 years and has made it to the final round rarely, but always comes very close to making it in the top 10 spots.
“They evaluate your piece and give you feedback,” Wolpert said. “It is less of a competition and more of a learning experience.”
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