On Feb. 25 the St. Olaf Dance Department presented “Fresh Space,” a concert featuring students in various group and individual performances. “Fresh Space” included a matinee at 2:00 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
The evening production opened against a vibrant blue background in the Center for Art and Dance’s Wagner-Bundgaard Studio. After a warm welcome from the dance department faculty, this glowing blue background faded to black. The lights then came up to reveal the Ballet Club, poised and ready to perform a selection from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake.” Following this classical performance, Rel Edwards ‘26 performed a solo number she choreographed to “Graduate” by Sean Terrell. As Lily Moreschi ‘24 began her solo piece, she lit a candle and performed “Message from Home,” a lyrical dance that depicted a departure and return to the symbolic candle, which was blown out at the end.
In the only duo performance of the night, seniors Kylie Kasprick ‘23 and Audrey Messinger ‘23 switched between separate and synchronized movements in “an instant, a moment.” Mary Staplin ‘26 then danced“21,” a performance she choreographed to the Gracie Abrams song by the same name. Following this, the Ballet Club took the stage again to perform a selection from Cesare Pugni’s “Pharaoh’s Daughter Act 3.” Kasprick ‘23 then danced an emotional solo number to “The View Between Villages” by Noah Kahan.
A trio of junior dance majors then performed “Borrowed Meanings,” a dance full of references to pop culture (including the Spiderman pointing meme). Messinger returned with a brassy solo number to “Nobody” from Bandstand the Musical. The concert was closed out by a joyous routine to the song “Stray Cat Strut” by Stray Cats, performed by Ole Tap Collective.
Looking ahead to upcoming dance events, Veselica Dance Company’s Spring Concert will be April 21 and 22, followed by Companydance’s Spring Concert on May 4, 5, and 6.
