Borrowing its title of Walk the Moon’s hit single, last Sunday’s “Shut Up and Dance” showcase found the Virginia Dance Company in top form. Hiits from Sia to Nicki Minaj found ways to highlight the variety of talent comprised in the group.
The opening number was a flirtatious rendition of Christina Aguilera’s “But I Am a Good Girl” choreographed by Hannah Williams. The performers wore sequined shift dresseswhich definitely caught the audience’s eye, and while some of the dancers seemed a little offbeat, for the most part the opening was a success.
As the evening progressed, so did the technicality of the dances. “Carousel,” a piece choreographed by Katie Pease, was performed by a much smaller group which allowed the dancers more room to be expressive and gave breadth to their movements. The women were dressed in mint blue baby doll gowns and white calf-length socks embodying the image of the token possessed child in a horror movie, which matched the haunting background melody. This piece showcased the individuals as well as the group, as certain people were featured for short yet memorable spotlight pieces.
An abundance of serenity and reflection came over the audience when the company took the stage with Alice Kristiansen’s cover of Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams,” choreographed by Lauren Gerard. The song had been stripped of the theatrics that appear in Swift’s video and instead features an acoustic rendition in a simple and delicate manner. The dancers of the company captured this delicacy and fragility of the artist in their movements and attire. The performers were clothed in wispy, free-flowing frocks which swayed in tandem with their bodies.
After “Wildest Dreams” ended, the dancers thought it was time to spice up the evening with a little Nicki Minaj, choreographed by Kate Hudgins. The women sashayed onto the stage with flannels tied around their waist and combat boots laced to the top to signify this would be different kind of dance than the audience had seen before. The first beat dropped in Minaj’s “Trini Dem Girls,” the gyrating began, and the crowd was hooked. The girls let loose and demonstrated that there is more to their company than just pirouettes and fortes.
The evening came to a conclusion when the company performed their finale, which consisted of a mash up of “Shut Up” by the Black Eyed Peas, “Shut Up and Drive” by Rihanna and the eponymous “Shut Up and Dance.” Before the program came to a close, it was clear that the Company showcased a different circle of talent than other artistic groups on Grounds -- complete with a toe-tapping rhythm.
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