See the NATION DANCE! (video)
Vikes Nation Dance Showcase
On March 21, 2015, close to 350 people came out to see the Nation dance! Vikes Athletics and Recreation in collaboration with Vikes Nation presented the Dance Showcase, an annual event that features recreation dance classes, clubs and special guest performances.
In this 2 hour event, a variety of dances were displayed, including contemporary, jazz, ballet, hip hop, pussycat dolls and even MTV flashback! Check out the video below for a snippet of the hip hop class instructed by Kevin Pescod and Laura Neithercut as well a piece performed by the UVic Dance Company.
All the dancers were magnificent in their performances with many dancing in multiple pieces. I was honored to have emceed this year’s event. Being backstage with the director, volunteers and dancers was a truly unique experience. The pure confidence, skill and determination that these dancers have is beyond cool. I am especially so impressed by the dance teachers and choreographers that created so many pieces for their students – kudos!
Although every dance piece was awesome, my favourites included Generation Z by the UVic Dance Company and the MTV Flashback dance. I also loved the contemporary level 2 piece instructed by Alee Garret. I’m a sucker for 90’s music and the flashback piece took me back!
Thunder was in full force at the event and peformed a special piece to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” and Pharrel’s “Happy.” The crowd was also really great, participating in a wide array of crowd engagements. Some even came up onto the stage to show their own dance moves.
Check out the video for the short number put together by Bonnie Hughson. Congrats to Tony for winning the dance off, as voted by the crowd “applause-o-meter.” The Vikes Nation Ambassadors were also at the event, helping with things like crowd pump up and acting as stage hands in the back. This event wouldn’t be possible without them! A massive thank you to Stacey Yasinowski for putting the event together. Her tireless efforts were not unnoticed!
If you want to get involved with the enormous dance culture here at the University of Victoria, check out Vikes Recreation for all the information you’ll need.
