“Holidance!” celebrates its 5th year at the Haugh Performing Arts Center with all the spirit and joy artists can communicate through their dancing.
Multi-cultural traditions inspired each dancer to put on a performance sure to please, thanks to the expertise of professor John Vaughan.
“It is a concert that celebrates the entire holiday season,” said Vaughan, who choreographs regularly for the Fine and Performing Arts Department productions and directs Holidance! again this year.
“I wanted to bring something to the stage that was more multicultural.”
Diversity is key to California community colleges and he wanted to make sure that Citrus celebrates not just Christmas, but all the different holidays and cultures as well.
Professional choreographer, Lee Martina also lent her expertise to the event, working with students to bring out their best performances interpretations. “Working with her exposes students to working with professionals on a different level.” Vaughan said.
Lighting effects and colorful costumes help to create a feeling of holiday joy as students performed with precision and attention to the very last green scarf trailing behind.
Four numbers were written and choreographed by students, including Anthony Clinton, a dance major.
“When I heard that there wasn’t a hip-hop number in the performances, I right away wanted to do one,” Clinton said. “I came to Citrus to learn more about hip-hop because it’s my first love. Putting a holiday twist on a performance was challenging, but exciting.” “Holidance! promises to be an evening filled with fun and as Anthony Clinton said, he hopes you will enjoy it just as much as the performers have enjoyed putting it together.
Other dance numbers include a Hindu version of “Jingle Bells,” “Solstice Angel,” which celebrates the season of the solstice, a Halloween number, a
“Happy New Years Kwanza,” along with a 25 minute piece on the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.”
Adjunct faculty member Jennifer Fagaier, choreographed “The Nutcracker.”
Holidance! will be held in the Haugh Performing Arts Center on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6. Both performances will begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $10 for students/seniors.
