Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
Although Rhythm N Motion usually commences each show with an African-roots dance, their program for Saturday night is anything but predictable. The TriCo dance group will also showcase flamenco, swing hip-hop, stomp and salsa in LPAC tomorrow night.
Some of the pieces include a Michael Jackson Tribute medley— featuring “Thriller,” of course—a serenade, a stomp piece, and the Sevillanas, a traditional Spanish dance.
At tech rehearsal Thursday, the stage lights flashed red and blue, turned on and off, and the crew muttered to each other about the final queues and music. The dancers walked through their steps and talked amongst themselves until the stage lights went down and they were ready for a run through of their routine. Each performance got half an hour on stage to get a feel for Saturday night’s performance.
Many of the dancers are participating in more than one piece. The average is “3-5 depending on what you want to commit to,” Kay Cadena ’11 said. Haverford College senior Eugenia Machado says she averages about 9 hours a week in Rhythm N Motion rehearsals, both dancing and choreographing.
Machado also choreographs at Haverford. The Sevillanas piece for Saturday night was her work. “We want to show something that no one has seen before. We want them to feel what we feel when we are dancing,” she said. She described her choreography as, above all, “passionate.”
Machado said that this year they had a “really integrated” group of Bryn Mawr, Haverford and Swarthmore students, more so than in previous years. The Bryn Mawr and Haverford students in the group have to commute to Swarthmore for practices most of the time.
“Newbie” Haverford junior Carmen Delehanty said she was too intimidated by the talent of Rhythm N Motion to try out for the group until this year. “I love dance. It’s been something that’s been missing in my life for the past two years.” This fall over 40 Tri-co students tried out for the group, with 15 “newbies” accepted. These new dancers will have a special routine.
G Patrick ’10, dancer and choreographer for all four years at Swarthmore, said that the beginning of semester try-outs are his favorite part of Rhythm N Motion besides the show. All 30 some members decide democratically on whom to accept into the group. He says he loves being a part of “helping others find an outlet for expression.”
Patrick’s favorite piece for Saturday night is a “silly sexual piece” of hip-hop dance he calls “feel good.” He is sure it will be a crowd pleaser. Also to look out for: a 3-songs-in-one finale piece.
