The on-campus dance group Spirit of Color (SoC) certainly has a reputation for pleasing audiences with its unique, high-energy performances. With contemporary music and hip-hop dance style, the group maintains a level of professionalism without sacrificing the interactive element that draws many Tufts students to their shows.
The title of this year's show, "Hood Stoppin' Booty Poppin,'" demonstrates that, while the dancers and choreographers work very hard on their dances, their ultimate goal is to get the audience to stand and dance with them. The show presents a mix of dance styles including hip-hop, modern and jazz, so there's something for everyone who has ever had the impulse to boogie.
Senior Stephanie Dres choreographed a dance to Roisin Murphy's "Ramalama Bang Bang" that is meant to resemble a machine, with the dancers functioning as its parts. There is another dance that combines samba and hip-hop elements to a reggae song that embodies SoC's mission to put the audience in a dancing mood.
Assistant director Jamie Gang, a junior, pointed out that there is a lot of new talent for this year's show after losing many seniors. "All of the new dancers add a different flavor," Gang said. "Overall, the show feels more energetic, and everyone seems very excited for the upcoming performance."
Both new freshman members, Cara Guappone and Cindy Ko voiced their excitement about their first SoC show at Tufts. "Everyone has been so welcoming," Ko said, "especially since I'm learning about hip-hop for the first time." Guappone expressed a similar feeling. "Everyone already knows each other, but it's so great how open everyone is to new members of the group," she said.
"Hood Steppin', Booty Poppin'" will be performed twice this week — first on Thursday night and again on Saturday night at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the Balch Arena Box Office.
