Groups throw down for Showdown

Saturday's AHANA Leadership Council (ALC) Showdown brought together over 1,600 people, 11 different dance groups, and a multitude of different cultures for a night of celebration and competition. In its sixth year, the show drew an enthusiastic audience that filled every seat in the house, a testament to its growing popularity within the Boston College community.

With most groups having rehearsed for the performance since last semester, energy levels ran high as each group took the stage. Judging for the event was split into two performance categories, dance-based and culture-based, and judges evaluated each group on a certain set of criteria.

Winning first place in the dance category was F.I.S.T.S. (Females Incorporating Sisterhood Through Step), BC's only female step team. The routine, which included complicated patterns of stomping and clapping, both with and without music, placed highest in terms of creativity, difficulty, energy, uniformity, and overall performance.

"It was crazy to perform in front of so many people," said Khalilah Daley, co-captain of F.I.S.T.S. and A&S '08. "It was scary at first, but we got into performance mode eventually. We had to work hard and remember to keep up our energy throughout the whole routine."

Daley said the team began rehearsing the routine in November of last year, with daily rehearsals starting after they returned from winter break. Although she has been stepping for seven years - this is her second year as co-captain - Daley explained that step can be complicated even for the experienced. "Sometimes your body doesn't always move the way you want it to," she said. "Most of step is a pattern of beats like music or songs - sometimes you even want to sing it in your head to break it down stomp by stomp, clap by clap."

The routine was a collaborative effort, with each group member contributing something reflective of her style. "We want to see each person in the routine," said Daley.

Second place went to last year's winner, Synergy, a hip-hop dance company that performs and competes off campus. Director Whitnie Low, A&S '07, said she was proud to see months of hard work pay off with a great performance. "It was exhilarating and wonderful to perform," she said. "F.I.S.T.S. did an amazing job, and second place for us is by no means failure. I am so proud of my dancers."

Synergy member Linette Heredia, CSOM '09, said the group felt some pressure to perform well after winning last year. "We rehearsed every day after we came back from winter break," she said. "It was a great experience and we all had fun."

Judging for the cultural dance category was based on stage presence, cultural representation, energy, uniformity, and overall performance. MASTI, the dance group of Southeast Asian Students Association (SEASA), won first place with a dance that incorporated hip-hop with traditional cultural aspects. Taking home second place was Aero.K, the dance troupe of the Korean Students Association (KSA).

Other groups that performed were Fuego and Phaymus from BC, and Vibes and Fusion from Boston University in the dance category. Danse Kreyol, Philippines Society of Boston College (PSBC), and PATU competed in the cultural category.

"This show is a great chance for the AHANA and non-AHANA communities to come together for a fantastic night of dance performances," said Stephanie Sanabria, ALC historian and LSOE '09. "All people can come to enjoy it for the fine arts aspect. It unites everyone for a great night of fun."

ALC president Noelle Green, LSOE '07, said she was impressed by both the turnout and by the quality of the performances. "I though the groups were so amazing," she said. "I didn't have to do anything once the show got started - it ran itself. The energy and the creativity levels were so high. The competition kept building on itself."

Green said the production company, which cost the ALC about $17,000 to hire, had been on the premise since 6:30 a.m. setting up. ALC members arrived at around 8:30 a.m., and the performers also rehearsed during the day to prepare for the show. Despite the tight security, as ALC members prepared for massive crowds, people began to file into the Plex at 6:15 p.m. - 45 minutes before doors were supposed to open. "People had been lining up since 4:30," said Green. "Every seat was filled, and people were even standing in the back."

"The production company was amazing, and everything went pretty smoothly," said Nijah Cunningham, co-director of programming and A&S '07, who said the work of Eneida Miranda, A&S '09, and Erin Dea, A&S '08, was instrumental in bringing the program together. "It was amazing to see how many people wanted to come. Every year the show gets better and better. We always learn from previous years - the sky's the limit with the Showdown."

Although the Plex is a relatively new venue for the Showdown - this is its second year after having been in Robsham before - ALC members are hopeful they will be able to secure Conte Forum next year. Green said they are currently putting a bid in to negotiate around hockey and basketball schedules. "We're unable to accommodate everyone who wants to see it," she said, "and the absence of stadium seating has been a complaint as well."

"The Plex is a good place for now, but it can't be a permanent location for the Showdown," said Cunningham. "We may not be a school known for its dance programs, but everyone deserves props for the amount of time and energy they put in. Culturally, it says a lot about how amazing our student body is, being able to share ourselves with others. It is a privilege to sit and enjoy it."

Many other students in the sold-out audience felt the same way. "It brings so many different types of people together," said Danielle Whiteman, CSOM '09. "It's the most diverse event on campus."

"It's a great way to focus on the student," said Cunningham. "We can learn so much from dance. Students are showing what we want our experience at BC to be - we are bringing ourselves together, and I am grateful to share that experience."