The Mosaic Dance Company closed out its spring season with a pair of recitals Apr. 29 and 30 at the CSUDH Gymnasium.
The recital’s eight performances offered a mix of styles and music, with students taking the stage multiple times over the course of the evening. The recital explored a range of feelings and scenarios—including loneliness, lifelong friendship, and the price of success.
“Vibe Check” kicked off the recital with an upbeat rhythm that transitioned into a slower-paced hip-hop flow.
“Intermission”—a solo performance inspired by the work of the American poet Langston Hughes—was a deliberate piece, with controlled movements that became more hurried as it progressed.
A trio of dancers then took the stage to perform “Concerto,” which incorporated themes related to the natural world and the changing of the seasons. In “Periodic Beat,” a quartet explored dance as an abstract concept, translating nonsensical “words” and “phrases” into movements—each contributed to an overall framework.
“Crossroads” then took a decidedly darker tone, as another solo performer told the story of someone who achieved success but at the cost of their soul. Conversely, “A Match Made” was a lighter performance, telling the tale of a friendship formed on the first day of school—the two dancers synchronized their movements as a way of showing harmony, even under difficult circumstances.
“La Llorona,” or “The Weeping Woman,” featured another solo performance based on the Latin American folktale that examined the pain of loss and feelings of grief and instability.
The recital concluded with “Chemistry,” a group performance featuring seven dancers who incorporated hip-hop, house, and groove styles to highlight the connection between sound, rhythm, and movement. Afterward, performers gathered for a post-show Q&A.
Darius Spotwood, a third-year dance student who appeared in three pieces, told The Bulletin that some people have misconceptions about Mosaic, which is a touring group—specifically, that someone interested to join them must have prior experience.
“You don’t need to know how to dance to be in our company,” Spotwood said. “There are people with all skill levels that we’ve brought into our company, and with [dance professor Amy Allen’s] guidance, they’ve become professional dancers.”
Carson Campos, a fourth-year dance student who performed in three works, echoed Spotwoot, telling The Bulletin that joining Mosaic was “like a fresh start.”
“It was amazing to watch how another country performs the same type of piece, but puts their own spin on it,” Campos said.
Although second-year dance student Jenny Truong appears in four pieces, she thought the recital flew by. “I had so much fun in each piece, I barely noticed the speed of each piece.”