There were two dance showcases this past weekend, on Friday (April 21) and Sunday (April 23) in the North Campus Gymnasium. University of New Haven students had the chance to watch the passion and motivation of their fellow peers dance their hearts out at the University Dance Showcase and the 5-6-7-8 Dance Team Showcase.

Friday night and Sunday afternoon were filled with liveliness as the dancers took the stage at the North Campus Gymnasium. Their performances were their annual showcases that celebrated the hard work the teams went through for the 2016-2017 school year. They were accompanied by several different teams who took on special guest roles such as W.R.I.T.E. Poetry club, University Salsa Club, the Monsoon Dance Crew, and the Inciendo Dance Project.

Friday night gave the night to the lovely ladies of the University Dance Team. They danced to remixes of popular songs, as they divided up into much smaller groups. They danced their hearts out with incredible numbers such as Work, Chandelier, Believer, and Lemonade, which won them a few rewards in the past. The team even brought back several of their alumni to join the gig.

The audience roared with approval upon seeing the dancers. Several students commented that they loved the girls’ dances and wanted to support their friends. Even some teachers from different departments, such as dental hygiene, came to watch and support their students.

Sunday afternoon shifted the spotlight to the 5-6-7-8 Dance Team and their 12th annual showcase. Though smaller, the audience was filled with just as much pep and were as excited to watch as the members were to perform. From the soulful dances of Comeback Kid and If You’re Reading This, to the darker dance of Dollhouse to the swinging finale of Candyman, 5-6-7-8 Dance Team gave the University Dance Team a run for their money with their dancers.

Between the two, several dance teams and clubs brought their own act to the performances to spice things up. University Salsa club brought the heat of classic Spanish dance that had everyone fired up. The Monsoon Dance Crew tapped their way through the gymnasium with perfect rhythm and power. University Dance and 5-6-7-8 even cameoed in each other’s’ showcases with their best numbers.

Both teams also took the time to honor their seniors and coaches with beautiful bouquets and heartfelt goodbyes. Kayla Giordanella and Megan Souter of 5-6-7-8 Dance Team, and Chelsea Ritter and Cirsten Cornetta of University Dance Team were wished the best of luck by their teammates, and danced their ways into the hearts of all they knew.

Between the raffles, the songs and the cheers, the weekend belonged to the dance teams of the University of New Haven.