Columbia Dance Festival showcases international dancing

A group from the Stephens College Department of Dance participated in the festival.

By Michelle Gao

Published Oct. 12, 2010

Dancers gathered together at the first Columbia Dance Festival on Oct. 5 at MU.

With the traditional Indian melody, performance began with Odissi, the most ancient classical dance of India. Dancers from the MU Dance and Recreation Association expressed the dedication to dance origin and the beauty of nature through their graceful postures.

MUDRA was the main organizer of this festival. Aditi Bandyopadhyay, the president and instructor at MUDRA, said the organization would keep the festival going.

"Our group is not only the organizer of the event but also the motivator," Bandyopadhyay said. "We want to invite more people and let them get into dance. We offer classes to teach students and provide opportunities for students to carry on dances."

MUDRA has 30 members, including members from America and Russia. There are also volunteers in MUDRA who are not learning dance. They contribute in other ways, such as helping design the website.

"Love for dance makes the members stick together," Bandyopadhyay said. "We are as close as a family. Everyone is important. Everyone has a role at MUDRA."

Anindita Paul, another instructor in MUDRA, said dance makes her feel happy.

"Dance helps me release my stress, and I love it," Paul said. "I can also see a good response from other dance groups. The performance helps more people to understand dance and to let more people aware of the opportunities for dance at Mizzou."

The president of Latin Dance Club, David Mueller, has been in the club for four years. He said MU offers chances for different types of dancing on campus.

"I think there are a lot of opportunities," Mueller said. "Not only do we have the clubs, but there are opportunities like the Rec Center and yoga. For a campus without a dance degree, to have these clubs really creates good opportunities for dancers."

Mueller said the Latin Dance Club is trying to bring more members togerher and provide a social environment.

"The next (event) will be the Halloween event," Mueller said. "(We will) bring the instructors from out of the town, have a teaching workshop, and have a social place where we can teach and dance."

A group from Stephens College Department of Dance performed "Lynchtown," a piece about mob violence. Senior Jessica Ray said, to her, dance is a way to express herself with movement.

"It's like another freedom of expression," Ray said. "It's completely different from everything else, because it's about feelings around you and using it to touch people."

Eric Cusick, senior chairman of the International Programming Committee, said the performance at the dance festival was the best way to see how many opportunities dancers have at MU.

"There are several organizations on campus, and there are several (groups) inside Columbia as well," Cusick said. "Where else can you go, you have a great variety (of dance) there. You'll always see dance clubs here at Mizzou."