“It’s so incredible to see what your body is capable of when you step outside of your comfort zone,” says Kristen Robinson, one of the hundreds of dancers who recently took to the stage for DalDance’s 14th annual year-end recital.

The dance society dazzled audience members on March 24 with a show titled “Inspirations.”

“I find that the caliber and quality of dancing goes up more and more each year,” says Robinson, a DalDance instructor who is also the society’s website coordinator and a kinesiology student.

“We chose the title ‘Inspirations’ as a play off of Dalhousie’s slogan ‘Inspiring Minds’. While Dalhousie aims to inspire minds, we aim to inspire dancers … we believe that absolutely anybody can dance,” says Robinson, explaining that dancers at any level, including those with no prior experience, can find a place at DalDance.

And there really was something for everyone at “Inspirations.” The recital included 30 performances from beginner, intermediate, advanced and auditioned groups, which covered a wide range of genres from ballet to bellydance and hip hop to highland.

Lively choreography and colourful costumes filled the stage as dancers offered interpretations of music ranging from the Hairspray soundtrack, to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song, to Marilyn Manson and Leonard Cohen.

At the start of the recital, current DalDance president Allie Nugent addressed a full house in the Rebecca Cohn theatre, informing audience members that Dal’s dance society had begun over a decade ago with 20 dancers and 5 classes. This year, people had travelled from out of province to see over 400 dancers represent the hard work of 20 different dance classes.

Dal’s dance revolution

“I would love to add more classes to the schedule,” says Robinson, who teaches the condition course for dancers and will be taking on the role of DalDance president in April.

“In my opinion everybody can dance, but not everyone is given the tools to do so. I’d like to think that DalDance provides these tools to bring out everybody’s inner dancer.”

Photo Essay: DalDance steps up

DalDance grows in numbers every year, and with an open welcome to all Dal and King’s students, faculty and staff, as well as Dalplex members, the society will continue to expand. This year, DalDance introduced its highly popular new jazzercise class and welcomed more guest performances, such as duos and small groups, to the recital.

Robinson, who started dancing as a kid, participated in four advanced dance classes and also performed as part of the recital’s guest group, Dalhousie’s Black and Gold competitive dance team.

“I think our bodies are just naturally inclined to dance and to move, and sometimes all we need is someone to put on some music and teach us,” she says.

Fiery footwork

Martine Durier-Copp feels the same inclination to dance, and her passion lies with flamenco.

Dr. Durier-Copp (left – Anne Launcelott photo) is a professor in the School of Public Administration and Director of the Centre for Advanced Management Education. But she's also a dancer in an eight-person performance group called Flamenco en Rouge that will be performing at the University Club on April 4.

Other members include Dal engineering alum Ayman Amer, third-year neuroscience student Sebastian Copp and Armando Manólo Alvarez Torres, a PhD student in marine biology. The group is comprised of two dancers, three guitarists, two singers/palmas and a percussionist, many of whom are seasoned performers.

“We have a common vision of pure authentic flamenco,” says Dr. Durier-Copp, explaining that the musicians and dancers create their own original compositions and choreography.

Eat, drink, dance

Since the formation of Flamenco en Rouge one year ago, the group has performed frequently at such venues as the Halifax waterfront on Canada Day, Pipa restaurant and Dalhousie’s University Club.

“I love performing in non-concert-hall venues, where people are drinking and eating instead,” says Dr. Durier-Copp.

April 4 will be Flamenco en Rouge’s second performance at the Club as part of an increase in entertainment and artistic events under the direction of Janice Tate. The evening, open to the public and complete with Spanish wine and tapas, promises to be as successful as last year’s sold-out event.

“It’s a beautiful environment for flamenco,” says Dr. Durier-Copp. “Intimate and elegant.”

The group chose its name because the two dancers, Dr. Durier-Copp and Carmen Perrier, are both French.

“France has always had a love affair with Spain,” says Dr. Durier-Copp, who developed her love for the drama of flamenco during visits to Spain as a child living in France.

For the upcoming performance, the group has developed new repertoire, and Perrier has applied her skill as a costume designer to create new outfits.

“The dancer is a vehicle for communication in flamenco,” says Dr. Durier-Copp. “It is a highly charged and tense affair, and it’s such a pleasure to be part of this communication.”

Tickets to see Flamenco en Rouge on April 4 at 6:30 pm are available from the University Club (902-494-3492; [email protected]) Find Flamenco en Rouge on Facebook or atwww.flamencoenrouge.com