Dance Reviews

Nov 22, 2006 - Student dance outshines Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre at UNR's Fall Festival

By By Jack Neal

The University of Nevada. Reno's Fall Dance Festivasl opened last night (11/16/06) at Nightingale Concert Hall before a near capacity audience; a sure sign that dance director Barbara Land is doing all the right things to promote dance on the UNR campus.

The program featured the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre, and while they are good at what they do and quite entertaining, it was the student portion of the program that thrilled.

"Dreamdance," choreographed by Suzette Feilen to a dreamy soundtrack of ethereal music from Walt Disney films, was nothing less than elegant and enchanting. "Divertisement," choreographed by Barbara Land based on music from "Pirates of the Carribean," was a chic study in grace and red. "Descending," choreographed by Minh Tran to Samuel Barber's haunting Adagio for Strings was mesmerizing.

Choreographer Carl K. Cunningham's sophisticated "Loose Ends," with fascinating lighting designs by Michael Fernbach, was enigmatically danced by Eve Allen, Chelsea Plourde, Tara Ryders and Brianna Thompson. Cunningham and Jennie Pitts were a splendid dance match in "One Hundred and One Small Truths, choreographed by Pitts. The costuming and lighting were, without exception, wonderfully managed.

Reality TV may be interesting to some who don't care about good writing. Audience participation shows may be fun for those who don't mind not being paid, while those who are get those who aren't to boogie in the aisles and absorb time. Possibly as a cover for not having enough material to flesh out their portion of the show.

So it was with the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre, the ethnic guest troupe of seven on this year's UNR Fall Dance Festival. At least half of their time on stage was devoted to getting the audience in on the act. So much for "virtual" ethnic dance.

When the Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre did their thing, they were impressive. When they were asking the audience to follow the bouncing ball so to speak, they were – to their credit - at least charming. And the four young men recruited to be part of the act proved that with training, time and innate poise most people can learn and do all the right moves. What might be more of a challenge to drop-in talent is the music the group so powerfully sings. Bravo for that.

The University of Nevada Reno's Fall Dance Festival could be seen November 16 and 17 (2006), 8 p.m., at Nightingale Concert Hall, 900 North Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada. For information call 775-784-4-ART.