Dance for inspiration

David Byrne once declared, "To shake your rump is to be environmentally aware." This weekend, do the earth a favor, forget the Green Party, and go see the Yaledancers. Their Fall Show 2000 is a diverse series of performances, featuring some truly original choreography, many talented dancers, and a good balance between entertainment and physical challenge.

The show starts off slowly—both the dancers and the choreography seem to be warming up for the more satisfying performances of the second half. From a more balletic number featuring dancers en pointe, the show moves to a long narrative piece of musical theater set to Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town." Both require some challenging execution, (namely involving pointe shoes and black heels) but the choreography relies on repetitive sequences that highlight the weaknesses of the group numbers rather than showcasing individual talent.

The best pieces are those choreographed to challenge the dancers—changing tempo and moving them throughout the stage. "The Root," choreographed by Ibijokè Akinola, MC '03, is reminiscent of some of Alvin Ailey's best choreography. Set to music by D'Angelo, the dancers move silhouetted in black, combining tight group sequences with fluid individual performances. The opening sequence, a bouncing series of understated shoulder undulations, resurfaces to tie the whole number together gracefully.

Dance

Fall Show 2000 by Yaledancers Fri.-Sat., Nov. 10-11 8 p.m. Little Theater, 1 Lincoln St. $6

Pieces such as this also allow the most talented dancers to display their virtuosity. Both Elshaday Gebreyes, PC '03, and Tara Sugiyama, SY '02, are immediately noticeable for their crisp, controlled movements and grace in executing even the most physically challenging choreography. Akinola and Alexis Carra, MC '03, both bring an energy and freedom of movement to their performances that turns less inventive choreography into a satisfying study of motion. Both "The Fall," choreographed by Geb-reyes, and "From a Region in Your Mind," by Sidra Bell, SY '01, alternate well between kinetic explosion and understated, sensual movements and lifts that create enduring bod-ily images.

And of course, there is plenty of bouncy, saucy entertainment that recalls a somewhat more sophisticated cheerleader boot camp. "American Woman," choreographed by Carra, is a slick piece of nationalism disguised as a Gap commercial, while the final number of the evening features flashing lights and breakdancing set to Pink's "There You Go." Even these more crowd-pleasing numbers are far from derivative, and they overflow with a bodily exuberance that is contagious.By combining pure energy with creative lighting and interesting and esoteric musical choices, the group brings a touch of class to their performance.

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