Spring Break
The Daily OrangeColorful costumes, diversity of dances enhance Raices performance
By Melissa Valliant
Posted: 3/26/06, 11:17 PM EST Section: Pulp
Don't pronounce Raices as "races" around any of the group's members, or they'll immediately (and sternly) correct you. "It's 'ray-ee-says.'" Spanish for "roots," Raices expressed just that last weekend.
As the only Latino dance organization on the Syracuse University campus, Raices organized and performed TeleRaices Saturday night with guest performances by the SU Ballroom Dance Organization, State University of New York - Oswego's Ritmo Latino, the Syracuse Orange Bhangra Team and Creations Dance Company. When judged specifically on organization and performance, the night could have gone more smoothly, but Raices did what the group is known for: effectively shedding light on the Latino culture.
As a relatively new organization with only about 15 members, Raices attracted a commendable amount of people, not to mention the fact that Billy Joel was its competition.
The dances were coupled with skits in which performers introduced the next acts through comical television shows, commercials and movies. Actors spoke Spanglish, immediately giving the performance a Latino atmosphere. The choreography was mixed with Latino music. Salsa beats and Spanish lyrics were included.
For someone not familiar with Latino culture, the performance was educational and an insight into a lifestyle that could not be learned in a textbook. The skit and its succeeding dance, called "Quinceanera," is a prime example of this. A Quinceanera is the Latino version of an American girl's Sweet 16, except it celebrates a girl's 15th birthday. The girl, as well as her family and guests, dress in formal gowns and tuxedos. The event usually involves a religious ceremony followed by a ceremonial party with ballroom-style dancing and food and drink. Raices' expression of this tradition was effectively performed through costume, dance and set. With a girl sitting center stage, dancers decked out in beautiful gowns and ballroom dancing proceeding the introduction, one got the feeling he or she was experiencing a real Quinceanera.
As the only Latino dance organization on the Syracuse University campus, Raices organized and performed TeleRaices Saturday night with guest performances by the SU Ballroom Dance Organization, State University of New York - Oswego's Ritmo Latino, the Syracuse Orange Bhangra Team and Creations Dance Company. When judged specifically on organization and performance, the night could have gone more smoothly, but Raices did what the group is known for: effectively shedding light on the Latino culture.
As a relatively new organization with only about 15 members, Raices attracted a commendable amount of people, not to mention the fact that Billy Joel was its competition.
The dances were coupled with skits in which performers introduced the next acts through comical television shows, commercials and movies. Actors spoke Spanglish, immediately giving the performance a Latino atmosphere. The choreography was mixed with Latino music. Salsa beats and Spanish lyrics were included.
For someone not familiar with Latino culture, the performance was educational and an insight into a lifestyle that could not be learned in a textbook. The skit and its succeeding dance, called "Quinceanera," is a prime example of this. A Quinceanera is the Latino version of an American girl's Sweet 16, except it celebrates a girl's 15th birthday. The girl, as well as her family and guests, dress in formal gowns and tuxedos. The event usually involves a religious ceremony followed by a ceremonial party with ballroom-style dancing and food and drink. Raices' expression of this tradition was effectively performed through costume, dance and set. With a girl sitting center stage, dancers decked out in beautiful gowns and ballroom dancing proceeding the introduction, one got the feeling he or she was experiencing a real Quinceanera.
